gas gauge not working right

Here is a pretty good video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIrTIrzQUPE&t=387s&ab_channel=SprocketHead

 

Lucky you. I was on the freeway in the fast lane.

 

I say, - “If it don’t work right, try workin’ it left”.
And if that don’t work, “Ignore it, maybe it’ll go away?”
And if that don’t, “Blame it on someone else, maybe they will fix it”.

And then, and only then, after those 3 options don’t work, do you actually try and fix the problem.

No, seriously thought. I bet it’s the sending unit.

 

Mine had the same issue and I ran out a few times

less than 100 bucks for a new sending unit from the dealership

 

mine is coming tomorrow

 

Did that solve the problem? Mine is doing the same thing

 

Solved my problem

 

Old post but just changed my fuel pump two days ago and fuel gauge is still stuck at 1/4. Thinking it might actually be my gauge cluster

 

Keep us posted? Mine will read Empty from time to time right after filling it up, and if I shake the truck it works again. Been doing this since I naught it new

 

Never been so happy to see the empty fuel light come on lol

 

So what ended up being the culprit?

 

It was a bad sending unit, but for some strange reason after changing it, the fuel gauge needle stayed quite a while at 1/4" so I was just scared it was going to leave me stranded. So I was just driving with 3 gallons of fuel just in case lol.

Maybe it's always been like that, but it's been a while since my fuel gauge needle went below 1/4. But I'm just happy it works now.

 

Was it hard to swap out?

 

Not at all, just make sure your tank is pretty empty, mine had quite a bit of fuel in it, and it made it a bit tougher to handle.

 

This ^

 

My son just picked up a 2006. When we got the truck, apparently the gas gauge wasn't working but we didn't know. Within a couple days of driving the car stopped working but the gauge still showed 3/4 tank. We got it towed to the shop, and they thought it was an electrical issue. After a while they determined it was the fuel pump and replaced that. I speculate that it was only out of gas, but the shop didn't even check before they replaced the fuel pump. We get the truck back and they then tell us the gauge isn't working...

Would the sending unit typically be replaced when the fuel pump is replaced? Is it part of the unit?

I don't want to replace the entire cluster if it could actually be the sending unit.

 

Hey any solution on this? O replaced the sending unit and wtill getting a misreading. Altough i bought oem from the dealer.

 

Just sharing my experience.
Problem: Son's 2006 tacoma running out of gas due to inaccurate 1/4 Fuel gauge reading.

Background: This first happened after replacing the fuel pump with an aftermarket pump/sending unit combo. We replaced the pump due to falling fuel pressure. This replacement resolved the fuel delivery issue. Since faulty fuel level reading happened sometime after replacing the pump, I figured it was a faulty pump/sending unit assembly. We then Replaced the pump/sending unit under warranty with same make and type. Fuel Gauge still not going below 1/4 of a tank.

Current: Fast forward to week ago.. We noticed a fuel leak on top of the tank when tank was full. We suspected bad seal between pump and tank.. We were correct. So we bit the bullet and bought OEM pump.

Results: The OEM replacement fixed our fuel leak, but fuel gauge reading is still at 1/4 tank. We tested resistance of sending unit prior to inserting new tank. All values at Empty, 1/2 and Full were within spec. ( The previous pump was also within spec ). When we connected it all back up, the tank was empty and fuel gauge still read 1/4. This is so deflating. We poured in about 4.5 gallons.. still at 1/4 tank. We put in another 5 gallons... tank reading at 1/2 tank.

Key Takeaways:

1. Always go OEM with fuel pump/sending unit assembly. Buy the fuel lines also if this is an old truck and this is the firs time.
2. Be careful when taking the evap hose the top of the tank. It's difficult to get to and if you force it, you may break a 50 cent retaining clip. You can't buy the rings. I did rig up ring and it works. I would recommend taking the hose off from the charcoal canister. More accessible by dropping spare, unclipping a harness, temporary remove a hose and you can reach the evap hose.
3. Be careful with the electrical plug on top of the tank. We accidentally dislodged a pin on the top when plugging it back in and didn't notice it. This was weird. We could hear the pump turn on, fuel gauge reading ( still inaccurately of course ), but the truck would not start. We checked fuel lines and no fuel was coming out.. even though pump was running. So we dropped the tank and saw a dislodged pin in the plug adapter. Secured it and buttoned everything backup and voila.. truck started.
4. Fuel Gauge misreading not always the sending unit.

Next Steps:

1. Drive truck down to 1/8 of tank (estimate) based on mileage used. Check resistance of fuel sending unit via a wire diagram.
2. Check Resistance at Fuel Gauge Cluster (It's not likely, but possible ).

References:

• This guy goes through checking fuel gauge cluster for 2006 tacoma... turns out to be fuel gauge (have to see his follow up comment )
  • https://youtu.be/tlWebnHK7Cw?si=ys2cOWSuUrQtA3Ja
• https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/fuel-sending-unit-resistance-parameters.1659840/

 

New Tacoma owner... I have a 2001 PreRunner V6... bought it less than 2 months ago in excellent conditions. Had tu fill up the tank immediately after leaving the sellers house because it was empty (had the light on so that is working fine)... I filled it up and it and it showed full tank on the gauge (still does every time I fill it up).. but when driving around it goes haywire and drops too quickly to 3/4, then drops to half and then drops to 1/4.. then back to half or almost 3/4... I haven't tried letting the light go on again and usually fill it up when it gets to 1/4 and stays there for a bit without moving (which to me seems that its actually at 1/4, or less).

Read this whole thread and seems it could be different things. But didnt read anything like my case where the "Empty" light works but the gauge is coo coo.