Inaccurate gas gauge readings
- Thread starter greembow
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Sparky 97Runner
New member
Check the bottom of your fuel tank for damage. I had a small dent in the center of my fuel tank when I bought my 4Runner which pushed the fuel pump and sending unit up in the tank. It wasn't a very big dent but I had your exact problem. I ended up installing a used tank from a junk yard and problem solved.
Malcolm99
Member
If it is a late model year build in 1998 it could have the infamous TSB EL010-00, you'll have to check your VIN to see if you got faulty parts installed at the factory.
EL010-00 Toyota Technical Service Bulletin
EL010-00 Toyota Technical Service Bulletin
It looks like my fuel tank isn't damaged.
Unfortunately? my VIN is not included in that TSB.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Could be the contact points of sending unit in tank. Is a how-to thread w/pics around here somewhere.
If it original pull tank pull pump assembly some pumps go out @250k and up, it could use a new fuel mat/filter anyway.
If you gotta go in tank do it all while your in there, cry once.
There are a few possible causes of this common problem.
Here are some old threads on the subject, which could give you some ideas to check:
3rd gen gas gauge issue
Fuel gauge wrong?
Low Fuel Light Always On!
Mine was cured by installing a jumper wire to the ground under the rear seat. Very cheap and quick to do, as opposed to dropping the fuel tank to replace the sender.
Prior to that, sometimes my reserve light would come on when there were 7 gallons left. Sometimes it showed full when nearly empty, sometimes the needle was pegged beyond E, and sometimes it jumped all over the place.
Here are some old threads on the subject, which could give you some ideas to check:
3rd gen gas gauge issue
Fuel gauge wrong?
Low Fuel Light Always On!
Mine was cured by installing a jumper wire to the ground under the rear seat. Very cheap and quick to do, as opposed to dropping the fuel tank to replace the sender.
Prior to that, sometimes my reserve light would come on when there were 7 gallons left. Sometimes it showed full when nearly empty, sometimes the needle was pegged beyond E, and sometimes it jumped all over the place.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Just as a note for others - the 96-98 and 99-02 gauge sender setup is completely different. Keep that in mind when looking for solutions and parts.
-Charlie
brillo_76
Elite Member
Interesting, You lost the ground wire on your gas tank harness. Very good thing to check.
As losing the ground is just as important to losing the positive in any circuit. Thanks for sharing.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
I also have a 98 and it does the exact same thing. Light turns on, I put in 14-15 gallons of gas, which means I had 3.5-4.5 gallons still in the tank. Good news is I never run out of gas! I think it's a combination of age and reserve capacity. I did have my fuel pump out when I was installing a larger flow pump, cleaned up the contacts, inspected the wiring, all that jazz. Didn't do a darn thing so I just adjusted to it. I use the trip odometer and reset it every time I get gas and it's never been a problem. I know for my 4Runner I shouldn't go over 250 miles on a tank as I'd be pushing it too close. If freeway only driving on a road trip that number increases to 300 miles. Yours might be different but you get the idea.
Dropping the tank and replacing the sender unit is a lot of work for an issue that isn't really too big of an issue. You just get the visit the gas station a little more often than others. Now if sometimes when the light turns on you put in 14 gallons but the next time you go when the light turns on you put in 17.5 gallons that would be a issue because it's all over the place. Once again though you can ignore the fuel gauge and just use the trip odometer and never run out of gas.
