first gen fuel gauge

[MacGyver1979]

My 87 fuel gauge shows full when I top it off then soon pegs out under E, is this common? anyone have a fix for it.
I dont expect it to work perfectly, just as it should.

 

[KidVermicious]

Probably a dead spot on the sender. You have to drop the tank to replace the sender.

 

[slacker]

I have found the "float" on the sender to be an issue some times .. also , there is a check for the gauge in the OE manual , I have ran into this a few times



.

 

[airdreams1]

mine quit will its been sitting for several months & wont read anything..... So when I pull the tank to figure out the problem, Im going to cut an access hole through the floor & make a cover plate.... That way if I ever have an issue again all I have to do is remove the plate.. (much easier than dropping the tank)

 

[slacker]

there is already an access hole for this , under the rear passenger seat


.

 

[airdreams1]

Cool. I had not checked. Thanks for the info.

 

[TOY2G]

there is already an access hole for this , under the rear passenger seat


.

That does not get you to the fuel gauge sender, that access is only for the fuel pump, the sender is 11" further back.

 

[rusty904]

I've got the same issue, goes empty when I have about 2/3rd of a tank left. Annoying. If you end up fixing it let us know how it goes.

 

[fourwd1]

If the sending unit is not too far gone, you can take it apart and clean the winding with some electrical contact cleaner and a tooth brush.
Worked for me several times.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

That does not get you to the fuel gauge sender, that access is only for the fuel pump, the sender is 11" further back.

HUH! I learned something new today! Didn't realize that door does not get to the sending unit! I always thought you could access it from there.

I don't have a 1st gen 4R, but an Xtra Cab truck, and had to drop the tank for this very same issue. Actually, I loosened the bed bolts and just pushed the pass. side up enough to get the sending unit out. Was much easier than trying to drop a full tank of fuel.

Also, IIRC, there are two types of sending units, one for the SR5 and one for the non-SR5, I think its because of the SR5 low fuel light, but I'm not positive about this one. Its been 20+ years since I replaced it on my truck.

 

[TOY2G]

HUH! I learned something new today! Didn't realize that door does not get to the sending unit! I always thought you could access it from there.

I don't have a 1st gen 4R, but an Xtra Cab truck, and had to drop the tank for this very same issue. Actually, I loosened the bed bolts and just pushed the pass. side up enough to get the sending unit out. Was much easier than trying to drop a full tank of fuel.

Also, IIRC, there are two types of sending units, one for the SR5 and one for the non-SR5, I think its because of the SR5 low fuel light, but I'm not positive about this one. Its been 20+ years since I replaced it on my truck.

I did get a picture today from a friend at Toyota. She got the correct on in (3 wire with low fuel light) today and it will be here in less than a week.

Now to find that darn cable under the pass seat...eBay has them for 80-100...I'm wayyyyy to cheap for that..

 

[KidVermicious]

I'm wayyyyy to cheap for that..

Says the guy who bought two extra trucks (plural!) so he could garage his pretty ones (plural!) for the winter.

 

[TOY2G]

Says the guy who bought two extra trucks (plural!) so he could garage his pretty ones (plural!) for the winter.

Funny you say that, because I just gave up and ordered the eBay one.

Before I moved to Ohio, I did not have to get extra trucks. But here, when all the stuff under my truck that I sell is made from metal...I had to make a choice. So I decided I would do what I can to keep them from rusting, until we upgrade to the 6th gen...

Or....what if  makes a new 4x4 that can get 53 mpg and run factory 37s.....