Gas gauge not working, any way to fix without replacing the whole thing?

[CHUCK1318]

I just bought a 1999 and the seller told me the gas gauge was not working. he even provided me with a new panel and offered to install it to prove it was not the gas pump or something more serious.

The thing is the new panel read 50k miles and while original read the real miles (150k) Now everything works perfectly on the original panel but the gas gauge. It will randomly show full and then go down. I keep the tank full to avoid randomly running out of gas but I would rather fix this and keep everything in working order.

Any way to fix just the gas gauge and keep the original panel? or any posts going into more detail about how the panel works so i can fix it myself?

Also, if anyone has posted about this before, my apologies.

 

[jkoni426]

Give this a try, maybe you'll get lucky. Found on yota tech (post #15):

Electrical EL010-99 99 & 00 4Runner

Vehicle has to be sitting on a level surface with an inclination of +/- 0.5 degrees.

1.With the ignition switch in the Off position, press and hold the trip speedometer reset button.
2. Continue pressing the reset button while turning the ignition switch to the On position.
3. Within 5 seconds of turning the ignition switch On, release the trip switch, press trip switch 3 times and on the 3rd press, hold the switch for 5 seconds. The buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800HZ.
4. After the buzzer stops, release the trip switch.
5.Press the trip switch one more time and hold for 5 seconds. Once more the buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800HZ.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/...lem-i-think-i-figured-out-problem-pics-60260/

 

[tystaco]

Give this a try, maybe you'll get lucky. Found on yota tech (post #15):

Electrical EL010-99 99 & 00 4Runner

Vehicle has to be sitting on a level surface with an inclination of +/- 0.5 degrees.

1.With the ignition switch in the Off position, press and hold the trip speedometer reset button.
2. Continue pressing the reset button while turning the ignition switch to the On position.
3. Within 5 seconds of turning the ignition switch On, release the trip switch, press trip switch 3 times and on the 3rd press, hold the switch for 5 seconds. The buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800HZ.
4. After the buzzer stops, release the trip switch.
5.Press the trip switch one more time and hold for 5 seconds. Once more the buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800HZ.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/...lem-i-think-i-figured-out-problem-pics-60260/

Hmm...I'll have to give this a try. Reading through that yotatech thread completely, it didn't seem to solve a great many people's problems so I won't hold out hope. My truck goes to half a tank at 80-100 miles and then shows the out of go juice light and takes 13 gallons to fill.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

I have the same issue. Its intermittent - sometimes it works when the car starts and then dies to the bottom and the light flashes.

The calibration sequence didn't work for me. My next step is to replace the sending unit, but that requires dropping the gas tank, which you know, is a pain in the ass.

I have just been setting the trip meter and refilling once i hit 225mi.

If you want to order a new sending unit - the new part number is 83320-35590

See the related TSB.

 

[the walrus]

I made a video about how I fixed mine. This was replacing the sender and re-calibrating. My 2000 did not require the panel to be addressed. Works great now.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-how-fix-your-spastic-3rd-gen-fuel-gauge.html

 

[Logman]

I have some issues with my gas gauge as well. It will read correctly when full but drops very quickly and by the time I have a half tank it is showing empty with the gas light on. I haven't tried the calibration yet but I did install an ultra gauge. It is very accurate as far as amount of fuel left in the tank. Only thing is you have to remember to reset it whenever you fill up.

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[Mados]

I use a Scaguage to monitor my fuel. It has never let me down.

 

[tystaco]

I made a video about how I fixed mine. This was replacing the sender and re-calibrating. My 2000 did not require the panel to be addressed. Works great now.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-how-fix-your-spastic-3rd-gen-fuel-gauge.html

Fairly certain my fuel pump is going out, at 240k, and the gauge is for sure not reading accurately, so I just ordered a new pump, sending unit, and gasket to go after this job in a couple of weekends.

 

[DED&DED]

My 1999 has the same problem--replaced sending unit and pickup and recalibrated as above--No help.

Interestingly with the trailer hooked up the gauge reads i/2 scale.

It has been suggested on a much earlier post here that a resistor on the board has gone awol. Any one with enough electronics experience to suggest how to identify the faulty resistor and replace it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. This gauge and hte clock are the only things on my 300K+ mile runner that do not work.

 

[whyzee125]

Where does everyone find 4runners with these fuel gage issues? I read about it all the time but I've owned eight 3rd gens and I've never had one that didn't work properly. Anywhore, good luck with the fix and enjoy the new truck!

 

[tystaco]

My 1999 has the same problem--replaced sending unit and pickup and recalibrated as above--No help.

Interestingly with the trailer hooked up the gauge reads i/2 scale.

It has been suggested on a much earlier post here that a resistor on the board has gone awol. Any one with enough electronics experience to suggest how to identify the faulty resistor and replace it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. This gauge and hte clock are the only things on my 300K+ mile runner that do not work.

Any chance yours is the 1999 version that also needs the board replaced that is mentioned in the TSB?

 

[DED&DED]

tystaco---I checked the vin against the TSB and it does not show up as needing the CB. I was told that replacing the board would mess up the odometer reading. I did buy a board but is just the bare board--no circuity included. If I could find a shop that could breathe life back into the existing board I would park the Runner until I could get the board back. Being retired has some advantages---now if I were only rich. LOL

 

[JLStout]

My 1999 has the same problem--replaced sending unit and pickup and recalibrated as above--No help.

Interestingly with the trailer hooked up the gauge reads i/2 scale.

It has been suggested on a much earlier post here that a resistor on the board has gone awol. Any one with enough electronics experience to suggest how to identify the faulty resistor and replace it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. This gauge and hte clock are the only things on my 300K+ mile runner that do not work.[/QUOTE

Reviving this old thread. Mine actually smoked when I plugged my trailer in. Not sure how the wiring is related. Trailer lights all work fine, trailer has been towed by other vehicles with no problems. 1999 SR5 V6.

 

[Grgg1978]

Try a new ground for the sending unit. Had the same problem, ended up just running a new ground wire from the unit to the chassis and it worked again

This is somehow a common problem if you installed trailer wiring for some odd reason.


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[Doc3g]

Mine does the same thing, I just bought an ultra gauge and use it to monitor my fuel levels

 

[Thebeastlives]

For years my 96 limited fuel gauge has not read properly. When I fill up I always reset the trip meter and when i hit 250 to 260 miles i always go and fill up again. The truck normally takes 13 gallons. If I get lazy or I'm busy sometimes I will drive to the fuel lights comes on then it takes 14 to 15 gallons.

 

[Grgg1978]

I’m telling you. Try a new ground from the tanks sending unit to the chassis.


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[Danger Mouse]

mine ran out of gas driving home when I bought it showing 3/4 full
called the school I got it from to see if they knew why it suddenly wouldnt start or run when it had been fine when I test drove and picked it up.
OH gas gague doesnt work forgot about that :mmph:
tank was crushed up about 3-4 inches so I figured I'd replace it all when I dropped the tank to replace it, but the reset fixed and it's worked perfectly ever since.

 

[Grgg1978]

I’m telling you. Try a new ground from the tanks sending unit to the chassis.


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Here is the ground I spliced into then grounded behind the kick panel on the drivers side.

My gauge used to work for a bit then stop. Once I did this it’s worked perfectly since. You need to check the resistance on the ground to find where the short is at. Or just guess.


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[Option01]

Try a new ground for the sending unit. Had the same problem, ended up just running a new ground wire from the unit to the chassis and it worked again

This is somehow a common problem if you installed trailer wiring for some odd reason.

Did some light four wheeling in the snow this last weekend and after getting home and washing the 4runner, I noticed the fuel gauge had dropped to zero and the gas light had come on. I was about to order a new fuel sending unit when I ran across this thread and it reminded me that the trailer hitch plug mounted to the underside of the rear bumper had been knocked askew (one of the two bolts holding it in place had sheared off). Will definitely take a closer look at that tomorrow and will try running a new ground wire when I have more time. I checked the TSB and my 99's VIN is listed as having one of the "bad" fuel sending units so that may still need to be replaced but it's always good to try the easy stuff first.

On a related note, I was looking at skid plates for the fuel tank and one of the manufacturer websites mentioned that off-roading without an upgraded skid plate can lead to the fuel gauge dying. I hadn't heard this anywhere else but I checked my 4runner and sure enough, the plate protecting the fuel tank has taken some abuse.

**UPDATE** Adding a new ground didn't make any difference but going through the recalibration procedure seems to have done the trick. Only time will tell if the fix is permanent