Gas gauge delay & inaccurate readings

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Do you have a '99 or '00? There's a known fuel sender issue outlined here from Toyota and the parts needed to correct it:

https://www.toyotaparts.metro-toyota.com/FUEL_GAUGE_INACCURACY_T-EL010-00.pdf

 

[96RedRunner]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Good call [MENTION=115347]gamefreakgc[/MENTION], something I wasn't aware of. since your's is a 99 check your VIN, procedure for tank removal, sender inspection the same.

 

[basian99]

I feel bad to revive this thread as it's over 5 years old. But I am new so I guess there's not much I can do yet.

My 99 Limited is acting kinda wierd, I feel like I must be burning more gas than my ultragauge is saying. Right now the UG (MX 1.3) Is saying I have 9.5 gallons left but my gas needle is about 1/4 from empty. I was carrying around a 2 gallon gas can in case I ran dry and sure enough I did. Ultragauge said I still had 5.3 gallons but the truck sputtered and died. Had to coast into a parking lot and use the gas can to get to a fuel pump. I filled up at the pump and I got 16.5 gallons so I guess I really was dry.

I do have a CEL for knock sensor bank 2 but am 99.999 percent sure it's a harness since I have no evidence of a knock.

I just picked up a 2000 4Runner and I was having the exact same fuel problem with the gauge. Cost me $240 for the replacement parts and it only took a few hours to replace. Gauge works perfectly now

 

[ivopivo]

I have a 97 and the issue started right after a recent offroad trip where the fuel tank skid got a little banged up, so I'm assuming it's the sending unit that got knocked out of whack. Mine works "close to fine" but starts to drop pretty quickly and the light is always on or flickering. Some random times I drive for a while and it operates normally. Leads me to believe probably sending unit was knocked around or a ground wire got loose during the trails.

Looks like most having issues have the 99-00+.

 

[CWccw]

I have a 97 and the issue started right after a recent offroad trip where the fuel tank skid got a little banged up, so I'm assuming it's the sending unit that got knocked out of whack. Mine works "close to fine" but starts to drop pretty quickly and the light is always on or flickering. Some random times I drive for a while and it operates normally. Leads me to believe probably sending unit was knocked around or a ground wire got loose during the trails.

Looks like most having issues have the 99-00+.

Did you ever get the issue solved? My 98 (built in 97) does this.

I dont get how a sender, a linear potentiometer, causes a slow reading of the fuel gauge. That sounds to me more like a faulty gauge. A potentiometer either reads correct resistance or it doesnt. A sticking float arm could cause a slow reading, but seems less likely.

 

[ziazia]

I would get a scangauge