DIY Video: Stop, Calibrate and Listen -OR- How to fix your spastic 3rd Gen fuel gauge

Hey folks-
Like many other 3rd gen owners, my fuel gauge was funky. It dropped fast from full and the light would come on way too early, so I knew I wanted to do this repair. While I did find the two TSBs and some random info, I didn't see anything terribly conclusive so I decided to make a video of the fix.

Bear in mind this is my first attempt at a repair video so forgive the spelling and speech errors. I'm aware there are a few flubs. Also it doesn't show the process of unbolting everything and putting it all back together since I was filming by myself. It's more of an overview in order of events. Anyone with the parts and a little mechanical inclination can do this repair. A helper would be nice when lowering and raising the fuel tank but not absolutely necessary. Remember to work safely around fuel and under a car, and don't forget some safety glasses to keep the dirt out of your eyes! Also, you'll want the tank close to empty because a full tank or even half full would be quite heavy.

My vehicle is a 2000 so I did not have to replace anything in the gauge cluster like some other model years require, so that is not covered. The TSB will tell you what is required based on your VIN and the range it falls under.

Anyway, this was pretty easy and didn't take long, less than 2 hours taking my sweet time. Two people could do it in an hour easily. Parts were just over $200 total from Camelback Toyota. I do recommend getting a new fuel strainer even though it is not mentioned in the TSB. Mine was $10 at Oreilly. All other parts in this video are OEM. Part numbers are specified in TSB EL010-00.

TSB EL010-00 (PDF attached)

TSB EL010-99 (PDF attached)


I'm happy to report that the repair worked and my fuel gauge operates normally now. Best of luck!

Video here: https://youtu.be/uKAKBNYR5Jo

Justin :usa2:

Nice. You're getting great mpg. I'd love to be able to get 300 miles a tank.

Not a bad video. I've done videos on my own and know how difficult it is to film and wrench at the same time. If you find you want to do more videos, think about investing in a GoPro with a headband mount. With a camera on your head, it gives you two hands free to do the wrenching. Filming by yourself is never ideal, and sometimes the camera won't be pointing in the perfect direction, but it's possible to video a complete repair on your own.

You did a great job of explaining how all the new parts go together and calibrating it after the install but the video would have been leaps and bounds more valuable if you could have shown how you got the tank out and back in.

My 2000 also has a gas gauge that's not all that accurate. When my instrument panel gauge shows close to an empty tank, I can usually only add in a little over 14 gallons. In some ways, I guess this isn't a bad thing because it's keeping me from getting close to running out of gas.

Thanks for sharing this video.

BrianSD_42 said:

Nice. You're getting great mpg. I'd love to be able to get 300 miles a tank.

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Thanks. Considering the high EPA estimate for my truck when new was 19 I'm happy to see close to that on my daily commute all these years and miles later. The kicker is knowing that all future planned mods (lift, tires, armor, roof rack) will decrease fuel economy. That is to say, it will never get as good of mileage as it does right now, bone stock with street tires. Oh well, gotta pay to play I guess. :yo:

mtbtim said:

Not a bad video. I've done videos on my own and know how difficult it is to film and wrench at the same time. If you find you want to do more videos, think about investing in a GoPro with a headband mount. With a camera on your head, it gives you two hands free to do the wrenching. Filming by yourself is never ideal, and sometimes the camera won't be pointing in the perfect direction, but it's possible to video a complete repair on your own.

You did a great job of explaining how all the new parts go together and calibrating it after the install but the video would have been leaps and bounds more valuable if you could have shown how you got the tank out and back in.

My 2000 also has a gas gauge that's not all that accurate. When my instrument panel gauge shows close to an empty tank, I can usually only add in a little over 14 gallons. In some ways, I guess this isn't a bad thing because it's keeping me from getting close to running out of gas.

Thanks for sharing this video.

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Thanks for the feedback. I subscribe to your channel, your videos are well done and very helpful. (You should have seen how many screenshots I took when I did my steering rack bushings and ball joints last week!)

With one in the bag it's easy for me to see changes and improvements I would make going forward. I'll have to consider the head mounted Go Pro or a helper to film next time. As long as my 8 year old can hold the camera still.

Thanks,
Justin

Very nice. Mine only reads correctly when the AC is on (99).

I would have been tempted to replace the pump at the same time. Fuel tanks and I don't have a good history together.

BrianSD_42 said:

Nice. You're getting great mpg. I'd love to be able to get 300 miles a tank.

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I'm happy when I hit 200.

the walrus said:

Thanks for the feedback. I subscribe to your channel, your videos are well done and very helpful. (You should have seen how many screenshots I took when I did my steering rack bushings and ball joints last week!)

With one in the bag it's easy for me to see changes and improvements I would make going forward. I'll have to consider the head mounted Go Pro or a helper to film next time. As long as my 8 year old can hold the camera still.

Thanks,
Justin

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Find another 3rd Gen owner in your area so you can help each other out with all the mods and repairs you guys need to do. I met [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] (aka Sean) through this forum. I'm sure there's lot of 3rd Gen owners in your area of Utah. Well, basically there's 3rd Gens everywhere in the good Ol' US of A since they last so long.

Hepar said:

I'm happy when I hit 200.

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How big of a block of cheese do you want with that whine? Seriously, you got a 2nd gen SC for $500 and you are complaining about MPGs? :argue:

For the OP, missed the Vanilla Ice line in the title the first time.:second:

LittleCaesar said:

How big of a block of cheese do you want with that whine? Seriously, you got a 2nd gen SC for $500 and you are complaining about MPGs? :argue:

For the OP, missed the Vanilla Ice line in the title the first time.:second:

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Nice! I missed the Vanilla Ice reference too.

I can visualize Millennials doing a Google search, "Who the hell is Vanilla Ice?"

LittleCaesar said:

How big of a block of cheese do you want with that whine? Seriously, you got a 2nd gen SC for $500 and you are complaining about MPGs? :argue:

For the OP, missed the Vanilla Ice line in the title the first time.:second:

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Actually, now that I have the right plugs in, my mpg's went up. I went up, over and back again over one of our mountain passes and got around 20mpg's for the trip.

:moon:

mtbtim said:

Nice! I missed the Vanilla Ice reference too.

I can visualize Millennials doing a Google search, "Who the hell is Vanilla Ice?"

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The guy from that bad DIY Network show?!?!



And to add to the thread... I still get close to 300 miles on a tank, even now with the 4WD swap and 265/70-17 K02's. I don't think I have ever filled up with over 16 gallons though.

-Charlie

phattyduck said:

The guy from that bad DIY Network show?!?!

And to add to the thread... I still get close to 300 miles on a tank, even now with the 4WD swap and 265/70-17 K02's. I don't think I have ever filled up with over 16 gallons though.

-Charlie

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That be him. He was one of the original White Rappers when Eminem wasn't even heard of yet.

mtbtim said:

That be him. He was one of the original White Rappers when Eminem wasn't even heard of yet.

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Lol. I know. I was hoping to find a good picture of him during his metal days... but I didn't want to look that hard. :thumb:

His hit album was probably the 3rd CD I ever listened to. Ouch.

-Charlie

Nice vid! Just saw it from your comment in the other thread.

So is the TSB only for 99-00 years?

My '97 has similar issues. I can only fill up to the line below full and drops to empty/gas light way too early. I can usually drive 50-60 miles after the light comes on. I've been using the trip meter but it doesn't always work especially if i don't fill up full.

Btw - 2nd link doesn't seem to work...at least not for me.

calnhob said:

So is the TSB only for 99-00 years?

My '97 has similar issues. I can only fill up to the line below full and drops to empty/gas light way too early. I can usually drive 50-60 miles after the light comes on. I've been using the trip meter but it doesn't always work especially if i don't fill up full.

Btw - 2nd link doesn't seem to work...at least not for me.

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Both TSBs are labeled 99-00. Not sure if the fix would work for other model years. :noidea:

I deleted the links and added both TSBs as PDF attachments so you should be able to view both now.

Best of luck!

Justin

the walrus said:

Both TSBs are labeled 99-00. Not sure if the fix would work for other model years. :noidea:

I deleted the links and added both TSBs as PDF attachments so you should be able to view both now.

Best of luck!

Justin

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I was looking up the send unit in Camelback and it looks like the 96-98 uses a different part. The fix might still work but the part is almost 2x the cost of the 99-00 part. Hoping someone else is the guinea pig.

Ditto if If I can average 220-230 I consider myself having achieved a milestone for 4Runners everywhere.

Crawlin4Fun said:

Ditto if If I can average 220-230 I consider myself having achieved a milestone for 4Runners everywhere.

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I hear ya brother. With the tires I have now I am getting about 270-280 on a tank, less in the winter and less when I'm on the trails but still having a ton of fun. :rockon:

Side note, I am about 500 miles away from hitting 300,000 miles. Almost due for it's first service.