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Gas Gauge Malfunction

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by DustStorm4x4, Oct 6, 2015.

  1. Oct 6, 2015 at 2:46 PM
    #1
    DustStorm4x4

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    DustStorm4x4 [OP] BBC 2020

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    My gas gauge is acting really lame. I let someone borrow my truck, and today I got it back, and the gas gauge has failed.

    I noticed it once I started driving. I was at half a tank and it went down moderately fast. I thought I had a hole in my gas tank or something. I realized it was just the gauge and so I kept driving hoping it would fix itself.

    Got to my destination and put it in park. Even in park the needle goes up slowly and down slowly. Back and fourth.

    So.... How the heck does this happen? And how can I fix it?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    DustStorm4x4, Oct 6, 2015
    #1
  2. Oct 6, 2015 at 6:28 PM
    #2
    DustStorm4x4

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    DustStorm4x4 [OP] BBC 2020

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    Bump. Anyone?
     
    DustStorm4x4, Oct 6, 2015
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  3. Oct 7, 2015 at 1:08 AM
    #3
    Wyoming09

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    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Either you have managed to damage the wires between the gauge and sending unit or the sending unit has failed.

    I hate to let people borrow my stuff it comes back broken and the person is clueless how they broke it.
     
    Wyoming09, Oct 7, 2015
    #3
  4. Oct 7, 2015 at 5:54 AM
    #4
    pulldo

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    pulldo Well-Known Member

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    IF,,,,, you have to "burn" the ethanol junk fuel,,, you could possibly straighten out the sending unit by buying some
    $25 BG44K BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.
    BG44K fuel additive and running it through a tank of gas, in fact you could burn it down to a half tank then fill up again and finish using up the additive that's still in the tank.

    Good stuff,,, IMHO
     
    pulldo, Oct 7, 2015
    #4
  5. Oct 7, 2015 at 11:36 AM
    #5
    VintageFast

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    VintageFast Well-Known Member

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    My guage has done that for years. Usually when the weather cools down.
     
    VintageFast, Oct 7, 2015
    #5
  6. Oct 7, 2015 at 10:38 PM
    #6
    alphabravo

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    alphabravo Well-Known Member

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    About 3 years ago my fuel gauge would intermittently drop to almost empty even on a full tank. This lasted about a month. Hasn't happened since so go figure.
     
    alphabravo, Oct 7, 2015
    #6
  7. Oct 8, 2015 at 2:43 PM
    #7
    DustStorm4x4

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    DustStorm4x4 [OP] BBC 2020

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    Yeah for some reason the issue is completely gone now. It works just like it should now. :notsure:
     
    DustStorm4x4, Oct 8, 2015
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  8. Oct 14, 2015 at 3:57 PM
    #8
    hossmaster

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    hossmaster Well-Known Member

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    Like Vintage posted, mine has done that since new. Usually when it cools down and more so when its damp/wet. I just use the trip as my gauge.
     
    hossmaster, Oct 14, 2015
    #8

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BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.
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