2005 Tacoma Fuel Gauge dropped to E and low fuel light stays on

Hi all,

I'm new to this community. I'm wondering if anyone else has had the following issue and if so how they fixed it. I have a 2005 Tacoma 4 cylinder. The fuel light suddenly stays on Empty and the low fuel light stays on even though I have a full tank of gas. If I turn the ignition off and back on the fuel hand moves just about an eighth of an inch but doesn't go any farther. I couldn't find a fuse for the fuel gauge in either of the fuse boxes. It must be labeled something else. I'm wondering if maybe the sending unit needs replacing. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I've never experienced this issue, but maybe disconnecting the battery, letting it sit for about 15 minutes, then reconnecting it might fix it. Kind of like doing a reboot for computers. It works on a lot of other electronic equipment, and we have quite a bit of electronic equipment on our vehicles these days.... Just a though.

 

Fuel level sensor failed. It’s a copper wiper on a potentiometer, and the wiper probably broke.

Have to drop the fuel tank to replace but not that hard, if it’s empty.

 

What this guy said.

There is no "reset" that will fix this. Only a repair.

 

Thanks guys. I tried the reset but the problem still exists.

Do I need to replace the whole sending unit? Or is the fuel level sensor a separate part that goes on the sending unit?

Thanks in advance.

 

If you got to drop the tank replace everything you can.

 

Yea, and not with “aftermarket “ parts.
Unless you want to drop the tank again.
I don’t like doing anything twice, let alone a fuel pump and tank drop.

 

When comes to important parts I buy Toyota.

 

Thank you guys. I’ll drop the tank and replace the parts but it may be a couple of weeks before I can get to it. I’ll let you all know how it goes. Thanks again.

 

If you’re on the original pump I’d replace the pump and sensor. If not, sensor alone is much cheaper. Get OEM.

Videos on YouTube will show you what to do and how. Order extra fuel line clips..

 

Be glad you noticed this before you ran out of gas in the fast lane on a busy 5 lane highway at rush hour. Happened in my old Dakota. Not sure how I got to the right hand shoulder when it gasped it's last ounce of gas. No left shoulder to take advantage of.

 

Hey everyone! I wanted to say thank you all for your advice. I was able to drop the fuel tank and replace the sending unit. I inherited the truck from a family member and it only has 58,000 miles on it so I figured the original fuel pump was OK and I didn't replace it this time. The fuel gauge works properly now. Thanks again.

 

What do you mean by sending unit? My Tacoma is having this exact problem. Was it just the level sensor?