Fuel Gauge- 2008 4Runner SR5

[bpjax]

Hi,

I have a 2008 Toyota 4Runner and the fuel gauge has stopped working. The 4runner will run out of gas with about quarter of the tank showing on the gauge and the miles per tank shows about 60 miles left. Any suggestions on what is causing this problem and how to trouble shoot this?

Thanks.

 

[fourwd1]

"the fuel gauge has stopped working. The 4runner will run out of gas with about quarter of the tank showing on the gauge and the miles per tank shows about 60 miles left"

That's a little confusing, does it always show a quarter tank, or does it work until it gets down to a quarter tank? If it's the latter it's most likely the sending unit in the tank.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I agree. Most likely the sending unit in the tank. Try unplugging it to see if the gauge has free range of movement. If and when you drop the tank, you can verify with a DMM.

 

[bpjax]

"the fuel gauge has stopped working. The 4runner will run out of gas with about quarter of the tank showing on the gauge and the miles per tank shows about 60 miles left"

That's a little confusing, does it always show a quarter tank, or does it work until it gets down to a quarter tank? If it's the latter it's most likely the sending unit in the tank.

Hi Thanks for the reply.

The gauge works until it shows about a quarter of a tank left. At that point the vehicle is out of gas- showing ¼ of a tank left and the "miles per tank / miles left you can drive on that tank of gas" shows about 60 miles left. Let me know if this helps.

Thanks.

 

[fourwd1]

The fuel sender is a wire wound pot, and the windings get dirty and corroded.
You can pull it out of the tank and try cleaning the windings.
Use some electrical contact cleaner and maybe a tooth brush.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Make sure the bottom of the tank did not get pushed up by high centering the vehicle. Also make sure the tank is venting and not just sucking itself in. I haven't seen a 4th gen sending unit in person but you may want to make sure the pick-up/strainer didn't fall off.

If all of that checks out ok, most likely the sending unit itself.

 

[804Hokie]

Hi Thanks for the reply.

The gauge works until it shows about a quarter of a tank left. At that point the vehicle is out of gas- showing ¼ of a tank left and the "miles per tank / miles left you can drive on that tank of gas" shows about 60 miles left. Let me know if this helps.

Thanks.

I have the exact same issue right now. I found out the hard way, when running out of gas going up an inclined street not too long ago. Did you replace the fuel sender/gauge? Or did you resolve it some other way? In the meantime, I fill-up now when the needle hits 1/4. I used to get about 400mi/tank in my normal driving. Now, I just top-off after 300mi.

 

[804Hokie]

The fuel sender is a wire wound pot, and the windings get dirty and corroded.
You can pull it out of the tank and try cleaning the windings.
Use some electrical contact cleaner and maybe a tooth brush.

What kind of effort would it take, to do this myself?

By the way, I had a great (albeit very hot) day fishing on the Chesapeake this past weekend. The charter took us up from Chesapeake Beach, to a few nm north of the Bay Bridge. We caught some nice stripers (ranging from 24"-35")

 

[Stag556]

I had the same thing happen to me last night. Gauge showed a little under a 1/4 tank when the car just stopped. Called a mechanic buddy of mine and he suggested a couple of things to try, adding gas was one of them. Adding gas did the trick, car fired right up. He explained that over time the contacts on the sending unit get old and start to fail. From what I have found so far, access to the sending unit is under the rear seat, so dropping the tank shouldn't be necessary. Anyone have different info on that?
I figured this repair can't be any more difficult that replacing the A/C evaporator core, because that was a PITA.