problems at the pump

[FishRunner]

So i've had my 2000 limited for about 2 months and just turned 45k.
Only complaint is at the gas pumps... my warning light comes on when the needle barely touches the Empty... so i wait till the needle hits bottom... go to the pump and the auto shutoff starts clicking at like 13.5 gallons

I keep doing half squeezes an manage another gallon... but i know it can take more... i just don't have the time to stand around and have he pump go super slow

SO... anyone have the problem??? is it the shape of the tank that splashes back triggering the shut off??? is it the pumps i'm using (i have tried different stations with the same outcome) What about and extra sensative warning gauge for empty???

i did a search and i know that this tank is supposd to hold 18g... where are the other 3g???

help?

thanks

 

[bigcamotruck]

My 4runner does the same thing. I tried driving it until the needle was well below E and it still only took 17.5 gallons when I filled it up. Granted I didn't run out of gas so there must have still been a gallon in the tank, but I was pretty scared the last 5 or so miles to the gas station.

My guess would be the sensor is set too generously.

I think all cars should have a manual reserve switch like motorcycles. On the bike the gas light will come on, but if I run out of gas I just flip the switch and have access to the last gallon in the tank.

 

[clinte234]

my '97 does the same thing...i know this really doesn't help you, but i thought i would let you know that you're not the only one!

 

[TNTEMPEST]

On my 02 after about 10 miles with the light on I put in 16.9 gallons before the first click. The day I bought the truck it was totally empty and was able to get 18 gallons in it.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The guages on 3rd gens always show low when there is alittle bit more to go and even when I drive a while with the fuel light on and go to fill it up I manage to still only fill up about 15 gallons or so,maybe 16 at the most if I really run it down.

The tank is officially 18 gallons but there is a gallon or two that is unuseable since the pump doesn't sit on the very bottom of the tank.

Once it does click I fill it once more til it clicks a gain and then I consider it full;don't continue to "squeeze" fuel in sionce overfilling is very bad for the charcoal canisiter and associated parts of the gas recirculating system and even just saturating the charcoal canister will cost you alot.

Repeat: don't over fill!!!

 

[jeremy 4runner]

I have the same thing happen to mine. I usually put in 13.5 to 14 gallons when the light comes on. I have seen this question asked before and I will just comment on a few things. One thing that was mentioned is that the fuel is used to cool the fuel pump motor which is a good thing and to let it get warmer that it should will probably shorten its life and I don't want to know how much it would cost for a fuel pump install. The other thing I herd was that the pump will suck fuel back once it senses it is full. After hearing this I decided to just fill up just before it gets to empty.

 

[Bocomo]

Sometimes with the auto shutoff you have place the nozzle not so deep into tank, it is less likely to shut off before is completley filled.

I have ran my runner till near empty(about 50 miles or so once the gas light comes on) and I put up to 17.6gallons in.

 

[pat161]

Had the same issue w/ my 2000, the light was on, needle was into empty and it would take 14 gallons or so, I was filling up every 200 when my Tacomas with the same size tank and same 2.7 would always get 300. Turns out there was a TSB related to this issue. Luckily I found it while my truck was still under the 3/36 warranty and they fixed it for free. It ended up being a few pieces they replace, I'd have to get the paperwork out to see what they were. I wrecked that truck and got an 02, not sure if the PO had the TSB done or if the problem was fixed, but my gauge works fine in this one.

 

[shootmymime]

i have a 96 and i drive it till the l;ight comes on all the time... the most i think it has gone w/ the light on was about 45 miles... so there is plenty of gas left in the tank

 

[K2boarder]

99 sr5 i let it go to about 1/4 left and when i fill its like 9-10 gallons but the manual says 20 gallons or so?

 

[azacher]

This is so weird...I actually ran completely out of gas last week in my 99 Limited. Pushed it downhill and coasted into a gas station, once there I completely filled up the tank, expecting to finally put in the full 18 gallons or so I thought it took...wrong, a few tenths of a gallon under 17 was my total.

 

[skowinski]

First fill up on our 4Runner, fuel light on for maybe 10 miles on and off, then on continuously for about 10 miles, needle on empty. Put in 15.4 gallons and it was full. Looks like there were 3 gallons left in the tank and I could have driven another 40 miles or so with no worries.

 

[Raddogz]

If I let the needle get to about E and then fill up, it only fill to maybe about 13 to 14g at the pump before it clicks off.