Fuel gauge needle trouble

[Hunter P]

So i have a '96 SR5. The fuel gauge needle is always moving up and down within the range of where it is supposed to be, but sometimes it will just drop down to empty and stay there indefinitely. I have ended up just relying on the odometer to tell me when i need to refuel. Is there any way i can fix it?

Also, has anyone seen a write up on how to do the gauge cluster color change using transparent wrapping paper type material? if someone could find that i would really appreciate it.

 

[JimG]

I had the same problem with my '99 when I got it, at the time I looked up how to fix it and it was around $1000 or more just for the parts (the entire dash cluster needs to be replaced) so I figured using the odometer to keep track wasn't that bad after all.

Due to a totaly unrelated problem with sparkplug blowing out and damaging the coilpack causing a miss-fire I dumped an entire can of seafoam gas treatment in the tank. Since then the fuel gauge has been working perfect.

Much cheaper than any of the other fixes, worked for me YMMV

 

[theizzardking]

I had the same problem with my '99 when I got it, at the time I looked up how to fix it and it was around $1000 or more just for the parts (the entire dash cluster needs to be replaced) so I figured using the odometer to keep track wasn't that bad after all.

Due to a totaly unrelated problem with sparkplug blowing out and damaging the coilpack causing a miss-fire I dumped an entire can of seafoam gas treatment in the tank. Since then the fuel gauge has been working perfect.

Much cheaper than any of the other fixes, worked for me YMMV

scan guage II at that point

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I had the same problem with my '99 when I got it, at the time I looked up how to fix it and it was around $1000 or more just for the parts (the entire dash cluster needs to be replaced) so I figured using the odometer to keep track wasn't that bad after all.

Due to a totaly unrelated problem with sparkplug blowing out and damaging the coilpack causing a miss-fire I dumped an entire can of seafoam gas treatment in the tank. Since then the fuel gauge has been working perfect.

Much cheaper than any of the other fixes, worked for me YMMV

You don't need to replace the entire cluster. You only have to change the motherboard for the cluster with a new revised one ($50 with 0 miles on the ODO, $135 for your mileage). 99-00 only have bad fuel sender units, which Toyota released a new sender for ($55-60). Wherever you got $1,000 is ridiculous. See here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy-16.html#post902919




OP, as far as your 96, I wouldn't put it past the fuel sender unit, but your year isn't listed on the Toyota TSB for bad sender units.

Changing the gauge cluster color is a matter of changing the bulbs with colored LED's, the clock is what requires a transparent film to change the color.

 

[JimG]

Thanks for the tip COB, I thought a grand was ridiculous too and didn't pursue it any further at the time, and then after it seemed to fix it's self after dumping a can of seafoam through... I would still suggest they try that first...

 

[JasetheDamager]

Actually this is one of the last nagging problems on my truck as well. I thought it might be the fuel sender relay, but then I remember reading through COBs' thread and him mentioning the motherboard with correct mileage for 135$

My needle never moves, and never has since I bought my rig 4 months ago. It always stays 3/4 full. Is there a way to tell what the problem is without draining the gas tank and removing it?

I do have an Ultra-Gauge, but I'd still like to have a working gas gauge, just cuz it bothers me, you know? I also need to install a sunroof motor. Sure, I'll probably hardly ever use it, but I'm still gonna fix it.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Thanks for the tip COB, I thought a grand was ridiculous too and didn't pursue it any further at the time, and then after it seemed to fix it's self after dumping a can of seafoam through... I would still suggest they try that first...

If that works, then awesome. I've put countless cans of seafoam through the fuel system and intake system, didn't help the fuel gauge for me. Guess you're one of the lucky ones!

 

[JimG]

If that works, then awesome. I've put countless cans of seafoam through the fuel system and intake system, didn't help the fuel gauge for me. Guess you're one of the lucky ones!

Yes, that's how I feel about it too. I also don't compleatly trust the fix to last so I keep an eye on the trip meter anyway. But that's not an inconvenience since I keep track of the mpg anyway.

 

[kball]

I will add to JimG's comments, my gauge has been acting wonky for a few months now. It's fine until it gets down to half tank and then it would drop to empty and slowly come back up. For the first time a while back I put Marvel Mystery Oil in my tank for two tank fulls. It's been 3 tanks since those 2 and my gauge has been acting fine since.

Hopefully MMO is really that mysterious!! Probably just coincidence though...