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Fuel gauge not working ,no low fuel light

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by CoopDC, Sep 25, 2013.

  1. Sep 25, 2013 at 6:15 AM
    #1
    CoopDC

    CoopDC [OP] Member

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    Well, It has happend twice when my gas gauge is down to 1/8 tank with NO low fuel light on and ran out of gas. Last weekend it was with a 24' pontoon boat on the back ,coasted to the gas pump! Time before that was at white castle at 3am , used the start cancel switch to crank it out of line and into a parking spot. Of course I understand it is a problem mostly likey with the fuel sending unit. I found for $80 shipped. And I will mostly likey drop the tank and replace it. My question I ask, has anyone had this same problem and looked at the sending unit to see if the fuel sock or baffle or the float can cause it issue, sense the problem is only at 1/8" tank like something is keeping the float up just a little bit or adjusted the float?
     
  2. Sep 25, 2013 at 6:46 AM
    #2
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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  3. Sep 25, 2013 at 10:47 PM
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    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

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    So is the gauge actually working, but the Low Fuel Warning Light isn't coming on?

    If so then just go by the gauge. I have never seen the Low Fuel Warning Light on any of my cars or trucks, I always fill at a quarter of a tank. That is just me though. I don't know if they work or not???
     
    bluezzy likes this.
  4. Sep 25, 2013 at 11:19 PM
    #4
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Is there a fuse that burned out?
     
  5. Sep 26, 2013 at 3:44 AM
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    Wattapunk

    Wattapunk Stay lifted my friends !

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    I don't think there's a fuse that's inline with the fuel sending unit. It's more than likely a bad sending unit that's causing the low fuel light issue. Never done one but you have the the option of taking the composite bed off to access it if dropping the tank seems more of difficult task.
     
  6. Sep 26, 2013 at 7:17 AM
    #6
    ziggynagy

    ziggynagy All Glory To The Hypnotoad

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  7. Sep 26, 2013 at 7:43 AM
    #7
    CoopDC

    CoopDC [OP] Member

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    The low gauge works right down to 1/8 tank with no low fuel light. No light because the gauge is reading 1/8 tank. It just seems odd that it works fine a only have and issue at the 1/8 tank mark, I don't normally go below 1/4 to 1/8 tank, but I dont like the fact that it is off and can not trust the gauge. I'm going to drop the tank most likey , Not sure how easy the bed comes off and would be hard by my self. Has anyone removed the bed?
     
  8. Oct 10, 2013 at 3:35 PM
    #8
    XXXX

    XXXX Well-Known Member

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    If you never removed your bed chances are with an 06' your bolts will be seized. Mine on my 08' are. Ive tried every impact gun my friends own and nothing budges one of them. I drilled a hole in the washer so I could inject PB directly on the threads and still nothing.

    My gauge no longer works. It's pinned at empty and my low fuel lite is on non-stop. I attribute my issue to having the truck sit at extreme empty for almost a year. Ive had it full for 2 months now and still stuck on E.

    Ill be searching more threads to see if anyone else has issues and I'm sure they have.
     
  9. Oct 10, 2013 at 3:54 PM
    #9
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    The fuel level sensor is a resistance type sensor. This means that there is no fuse, since there is no voltage.

    As the float arm moves, two contacts slide across a thin film resistor which causes a change in resistance on the sensor wires. As the resistance changes, the gauge changes with it. If there is a bad spot on the thin film resistor, or the contacts are corroded, then the gauge will either freeze in position, or it may go right to totally empty, or totally full. Most likely you will need to replace the level sensor assembly.

    The easiest and fastest way to replace this is to drop the tank. Removing the bed is not only a pain, but you risk dinging the cab, or damaging the bed.
     
  10. Oct 10, 2013 at 3:58 PM
    #10
    XXXX

    XXXX Well-Known Member

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    hmmmmm sounds like my empty tank got condensation inside then. I was told to either fill it or empty it. Guess I should of filled it and stabilized it.
     
  11. Oct 10, 2013 at 5:43 PM
    #11
    Toyotacerttech

    Toyotacerttech Well-Known Member

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    If you have a lift it's takes about 20 min I drop the tank
     
  12. Oct 11, 2013 at 1:00 PM
    #12
    CoopDC

    CoopDC [OP] Member

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    Going to do the voltage and resistance checks before dropping the tank should be that bad, I'll try to remove the bed bolts and put so anti-seize just in case I need to remove it later on
     
  13. Mar 2, 2014 at 9:32 AM
    #13
    garciadc

    garciadc New Member

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    Hello,

    I have the exact problem w/ my 2006 I4 2WD manual access cab. I usually get about 490mi per tank so I've been using the odo to figure out when I needed gas, but I think this winter with all the slipping, sliding, and extra weight in the back I ran out @ 470mi. Did you ever figure out what the problem was because I have bought about 5 1 gallon gas cans, and I don't know what to do if I have to buy more of these.

    Thanks
     
  14. Mar 3, 2014 at 1:06 PM
    #14
    CoopDC

    CoopDC [OP] Member

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    Not yet ,I just get gas at 1/4 tank but I have come close to running out a few times. I would start with the sending unit since the fuel gauge works all the way down. I looked at tank R&R and it easy on my DC removing the bed will not help FYI. I found the fuel sending unit sells for around $80
     
  15. Mar 3, 2014 at 1:26 PM
    #15
    garciadc

    garciadc New Member

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    Thanks for info. Not sure if I want to dive into the tank or continue monitoring the odo.
     
  16. Nov 11, 2014 at 8:27 AM
    #16
    CoopDC

    CoopDC [OP] Member

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    I finally got around to fixing the gas gauge, I removed gas tank and removed sending unit, Checked resistance at Empty, level sensor resistance was at the 1/8 tank resistance indicated in the toyota repair manual resistance check. I check the resistance against the new one and old one to find a 20 ohms differents. New sending unit was a different manufacture but the fit was the same. I will say the hardest part the repair was getting the plastic tank ring off. You really need the special tool for unscrewing the cap. Cost of the level sensor was $90. Took about a two hours to drop it out. No more running out of gas. Now my gas light comes on. Hope this helps out anyone with this issue.
     
    cizko33, simontorres38 and 98tacoma27 like this.
  17. Nov 11, 2014 at 8:31 AM
    #17
    XPOTRPR

    XPOTRPR CNC Programmer/Machinist

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    glad ya got it fixed OP.

    all you need is some big ass channel locks :thumbsup:
     
  18. Sep 14, 2016 at 12:30 PM
    #18
    kellbeezy

    kellbeezy New Member

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    Did this end up fixing the problem? I'm having this issue now. says there is an 1/8 of a tank, the digital read says 23 miles and the car won't start.
     
  19. Sep 14, 2016 at 12:40 PM
    #19
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Are you sure it's out of gas?

    Per post 16, the new sending unit did fix his issue.
     
  20. Oct 19, 2016 at 10:39 PM
    #20
    Vegas Tacoma

    Vegas Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I'm had this exact same issue happen tonight, gauge shows I still had a 1/4 tank, but I was actually out of gas
     

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