gas guage 99 4runner

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cbh44

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I recently bought a 99 4runner and it has about 57000 miles. The gas guage seems erratic with any changes in driving ... turns, inclines, etc. Also, with a 18.5 gal tank it says it is empty at about 13 to 14 gal. Owners manual says it responds to inclines and curves. Is the guage really this irregular or do I need to look into changing the float assembly in the tank?
 
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I had a 99 4Runner until tomorrow (picking up my new 2006 limited tomorrow) and I had the same problem with my gas gauge from day 1. After about 5 trips to the dealership, and they couldnt figure it out, I just started filling up when it said it was empty, but on trips I would fill up at about 280-300 miles. You will figure it out. I don't think it's really worth it to spend the money to fix it...just go by miles...much cheaper that way, and after a while you get used to it.
 
My Tacoma is doing the same thing. Some days it wrong some right. I just refill between 280 and 300 miles when driving empty and about 250 when I tow. Cheaper and easier than trying to pull the sending unit to see if its bad.
 
I have a similar problem with my '00 4Runner. The gauge will come off the "FULL" quickly and the low fuel light comes on with about 5 gallons still in the tank.


I found in TSB (Toyota Service Bulletin) # EL010-00, titled Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy, the solution to this problem. Affects '99 & '00 4Runners.

It would appear that the problem is a faulty Combination Meter plate #3 (located in the dash behind the gauge cluster) and/or a Fuel Sender/Suction tube assembly (located in the fuel tank).

There is an "Affected VIN Ranges" chart that will determine if you need to replace both assemblies or just the Fuel Sender and Suction Tube Assemblies.

I won't list the VIN ranges here, but if you want a copy of the TSB e-mail me and I'll send it to you.

*Important Note to all those DIY guys out there. The replacement of the No. 3 Circuit Plate will cause the odometer to be reset to zero. These parts must be ordered directly from the vendor. What with odometer tampering laws, I doubt that you can order this part and install it yourself. The TSB states that to order a part with the original vehicle mileage restored to reference a P.A.N.T. Bulletin 00-01.


There is also a TSB #EL010-99 that has the procedure for calibrating the fuel gauge.

This is for 1999 & 2000 model year 4Runners.

1. After replacing the meter circuit plate or inclination sensor, move the vehicle to a level location. (A surface with an inclination no greater than +- 0.5" is the target flatness)

2. With the ignition switch in the "OFF" position, press and hold the trip reset button.

3. Continue pressing the trip reset button while turning the ignition switch to the "ON" position.

4. Within 5 seconds of turning the ignition switch "ON", release the trip switch, press the trip switch 3 times, and on the third press hold the switch for 5 seconds. The buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800Hz.

5. After the buzzer stops, release the trip switch.

6. Press the trip switch one more time and hold for 5 seconds. Once more, the buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800 Hz.

7. The calibration process is completed.

Note: If in the operation of step 6, the buzzersounds higher than that of step 5, turn the ignition switch to "OFF" position and repeat the setting procedure from step 2.

I tries this out on my Runner with no luck. I'm not sure what the parts cost for these repairs but the labor times are 0.4 hrs. for the Combination Plate No. 3 and 0.7 hrs for the Fuel Sender/ Suction Tube Assemblies.

I wish the original owner of my 4Runner would have got this fixed when it was still under warrenty. But I digress.

Hope this helps anyone that has this issus with their '99 & '00 4Runner.

Ebola888
 
I'm sure there are TSBs for all models of Toyotas. I got mine from here . There is a subscription fee to use the site. It's $10 for a 24 hour period. The subscription ends at midnight PST the next day so you can almost get two days if you sign up in the morning. Well worth the money IMO.

At this site, you can download the whole Factory Service Manual including wiring diagrams for your truck. All the TSBs, Collision Repair manual, Toyota Technical training resources, etc. Keep in mind that it took me approximately 8 hours of sitting in front of the computer downloading all the files (there are several hundred small files to download one at a time), so plan accordingly. Word of advice, use the subcatagory feature in the search. This will help you organize the way you save the files. Many of the PDF files have the same name so make sure you are saving them to their respected subdirectories. Also, make sure you allow pop-ups for this site in your browser or else you'll never see the PDF files open.

I grabbed everything for my 00 4Runner & 01 Camry. Have some beer handy too. This is boring work.
 
ok now if it only affects a certain vin of applications then why isnt it a recall? i mean thats pretty crappy that toyota knows about this problem and knows its something they did so why wont they fix it?
i have the same problem too... maybe. at first it was read wrong like everyone elses, but now it reads wrong but most of the time it drops below empty and the gas light flashes.. anyone else? you think by doing this is would solve my problem? or should i goto toyota and complain till they fix it?
thanks
 
jwelzel said:
ok now if it only affects a certain vin of applications then why isnt it a recall?
Click to expand...

They have only expearianced enough failures that they have a tsb on it for referance but they have not seen enough failures for it to justify the cost of replacing all of them even though they have not failed.

Recalls are issued for things that have been document a certain number of times. If it is a safety concern(liability) expect a recall to be issued faster.

After a manufacture has seen so many incedent related to a tsb (technical service buliten) it is then be updated to a recall but there has to either be a large percentage documented with failures of a safety concern.
 
The TSB for this problem is dated Aug. 4th 2000. Toyota knew about this problem right away and offered to cover this repair under the Toyota Basic Warrenty.

It is also noted in the TSB that "the warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint."

The only way someone could get this fixed for free is if they had an extended warranty that is still in effect.

Anyone want to read the TSB LMK. I'll e-mail it to you.
 
Faulty Gas Guage

Has anyone tried calibrating the existing guage with the procedure from EL010-00? Just wondered if it's worth a try or if it will mess other things up?
 
Was more concerned about screwing up more electronics?!?!
I may try and see if I get lucky.
Thanx for the response.
 
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