Fuel Gauge Error - Did my mechanic do this?

[MyFirstRunner]

Hi folks, question for the masses. I have read the threads on the fuel gauge errors and it seems as though there is no easy fix to this common 3rd Gen issue.

BACK STORY - I have a 99 SR5 with the 3.4L engine and I had some work done last week to get a couple weak areas and a couple rust holes on the frame welded and fixed. My gas gauge worked fine until the day I dropped it off at the shop. When I picked it up, the gauge dropped all the way down and the gas light began flashing.

I spoke to the mechanic and he said he did nothing with the fuel tank etc. but I don't necessarily believe him as I don't think this is a coincidence. He did have to drop the muffler and had the battery disconnected to do the work. Also, one of the spots he fixed and spray coated is right along the fuel tank.

Any thoughts? Did they cause this and should they be fixing it? I should note that we thought this could have to do with my battery, AutoZone checked it and said it was bad so I put in a new one, but that did not fix it.

Thanks!

 

[gkinng]

Maybe its just a coincidence. Maybe he did do something. No sure way to tell, unless you know he had to remove anything fuel related or pinched/cut a wire.

Stuff like this happens all the time, and not always the mechanics fault.

I had a SUV come in for thermostat replacement. I did the job test drove for 20-25 miles and shipped it. Comes back a week later with a hole in the block and tells me its my fault.

Just try to talk t him again and see if can at least diag it for you.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

He welded that area with the tank in place?? Daring guy as that spot is inches from the tank. I'm having the same area fixed but my welder wont do it with the tank in place. I wouldn't want him to anyway. With that said, there's no real way to prove that anything he did caused the gas gauge problem. Still can't believe he welded that close to the gas tank.

 

[MyFirstRunner]

I'll take a picture of where he did the work and send it once the snow melts. From what I read it could also be a bad ground? Would that be a specific ground or the ground in the sender unit? Could the battery cables be the culprit, mine are fairly crusty. I have had a few goofy electrical things happening and I wonder if they are all related. i.e. last time the battery was disconnected, my clock wouldn't turn on, but it did after I turned on the hazard lights.

Bummer they didn't include an access panel in the 3rd Gen, makes it hard for a newby like me as I'm not sure i want to tackle dropping the tank and tinkering with it.