jgcalifornia

out of nowhere, pulling out of AutoZone of all places, i noticed my gas guage was fluctuating back and forth. I just filled up my tank on Saturday, and had not been driving, so Im not sure whats going on. Sending unit? Everything else on the instrument panel apprears fine and in normal working order. Any ideas?
thanks in advance!


1989 Toyota Pickup 4x4 V6
VZN105L

Teuf

Sending unit is Kaput, join the club. I have been using this the last 10 years, note on dash for next fill. I figure 300 miles to a tank.

myyota

The sending unit is bad, its a dealer only part unless you can find a good working used one, and its not a cheap part.

tineye

Sending unit might have went... but, I would check/change the fuse to see if it's going bad, and the wire connections for corrosion... good luck!

jgcalifornia

thanks for the reply's..I was hoping there would be a fuse/loose witre obviously to check first..would that be with the other fuses in the box next to battery?
thanks again.

tried4x2signN

Me wonders... See post #3.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post51560586

jgcalifornia

thats from an 88 4 runner. totally different truck.
and post# 3? says where the fuse is?

tineye

You can check the fuses by the battery, those are good to check every few months. But, you should have another fuse box in the driver side kick panel...

jgcalifornia

ya, there's a fuse in the kick panel that says "gauges". Gauge fuse is in tact, as well as all others, at least the ones easy to get to. Gonna investigate further tomorrow, looks like rain in 10 minutes.
thanks again!

xxxtreme22r

yup mine did that right before it went out too, finally quit on me about a month ago. Drives me nuts, if yours is the one without the low level light (2 wire) then it's a dealer only part, however, if you have the low level light (3 wire) one you should be able to find an aftermarket one. I wish someone would just tell me whether or not the 3 wire one will work on a factory 2 wire truck without hooking up the third wire.

jgcalifornia

maybe its worth a shot? if you can look at the wiring diagram and see where and what that 3rd wire goes to, and if your truck even has the part it connects to, whatever it is.
Or check continuity ??

xxxtreme22r

I know what the third wire is for, its the signal wire for the low level warning light. But no conformation if the float position vs resistance were the same and the level would be correct on the gauge if a 3 wire was used in the place of a 2 wire.

P.S. I doubt this is the case with you, but on my 87 there was also different size tanks that took different sending units. there was both a 17 and 19 gallon tank option. Not sure on yours though.

jgcalifornia

ok so all fuses are good. when looking around for a sending unit, some guys say i just need a float. other guys say i need a fuel pump. other guys say i need a sending unit. If anyone on this forum is not guessing, id appreciate direction.

xxxtreme22r

what does a fuel pump have to do with fuel tank level? And to my knowledge there is no such thing as just getting a float for the sending unit, it's all one piece.

jgcalifornia

that's what i didnt understand, and what did not make sense to me. Hence, the confusion, and my post. i was told its Toyota PART NUMBER 83320-80128. im just sure thats what i need,.

swampfox

Did you check the wiring for pinched or rubbed wires or bad grounds? Start with the cheap stuff then panic.

'86Owner

I am just dealing with the same problem. About a week ago I was hooking up my reverse lights, which the previous owner didn't do when he put in new lights, and in order to figure out which wires did what I had to clip a bunch of them. When I got all the lights working, my fuel guage didn't work. I checked all the reconections that I made and everything is fine. I checked all my fuses and their all fine. So I am thinking it is the sending unit as well. Any advice anyone?