Fuel Gauge Not Working

1999 Prerunner 2.7l automatic, fuel gauge has been stuck right above E for years. Replaced the sender unit and still didn't work. Is there a way to test to see if my actual gauge works?

 

This is from a 2000MY, but maybe same.

Assuming you already confirmed voltage at the new sending unit when installed.

If you can find the grnd wire, I'd try attaching a temp grnd first. Then if it still doesn't work, try adding voltage.

Being me and hating working with the dash, I'd try to find them along the floor at the left door opening under the scuff plate (plastic trim piece on rocker pnl) and fool with them there. If not, look near the base of the steering column and see if you can find them.

 

So you dropped the fuel tank or removed the bed to change the sending unit in the tank?
I did that and found a burnt connector on the sender unit. Did you double check the connection when you had it out?

 

Wsidr1, I went through the FSM troubleshooting procedure and verified that the sender is working so it has to be the receiver/gauge. I connected a test light on the yellow/red and brown wire terminals coming from the receiver on BN1 under driver seat and have continuity, lighted up. Now I'm trying to test the resistance on the receiver. I understand there is a A, B, C behind the cluster gauge. I didn't get any resistance readings between any of them, but i did it with the cluster disconnected. I'm gonna plug the cluster back up and try to take resistance readings again in a short while and see if its in spec. Also, I noticed that the needle itself does not retract automatically if you push it up like the temp, speed and tach needles. It just stays wherever you move it. Could that be the problem? The needle itself is just sticking? Anyone know of this problem?

 

nzbrock, yes the sender is working just fine. I actually had replaced the sender before going into the electrical troubleshooting thinking it was the sender, so it has a brand new one on and it working. It's the receiver/gauge.

 

Update: If anyone's fuel gauge is no longer working and have ruled out sending unit it may be the actual fuel gauge itself. I had a small screw come loose behind the fuel gaugr circuit board and tightened it and it fixed it. There's three small nuts behind the gauge.

 

Yep, same thing as this:
https://youtu.be/VVJSwEakRto