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89 pickup, gas gauge stays on E, what to check? buy?

Old 07-28-2017, 03:06 PM
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89 pickup, gas gauge stays on E, what to check? buy?

I am getting a 89 pickup that inherited fixed up so i can drive it. One thing i noticed is the gas gauge reads E all the time.

Is there a troubleshooting guide to follow? Any writeups to replace the sensor?

The cluster has been replaced not too long ago, so that is not the issue.

thanks!
Old 07-28-2017, 03:28 PM
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Did you try putting some gas in the tank?

Here ya go: http://web.archive.org/web/201102052.../6combinat.pdf

Originally Posted by infinkc
... The cluster has been replaced not too long ago, so that is not the issue.
Yeah ... right ....
Old 07-29-2017, 01:55 AM
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Red face

Is there Gas in the Tank??

What other Electrical circuits don`t work??

So you had a Brand New Cluster from Toyota still in the box What other new parts do you have that were never installed??
Old 07-29-2017, 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by infinkc
The cluster has been replaced not too long ago, so that is not the issue.
thanks!
Why was it replaced and , , , "replaced" as in with the same type and year or as in upgraded to an SR5?
Old 07-29-2017, 09:55 AM
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Got a multi-meter?
Next only to our senses (common included) it is the most important electrical troubleshooting tool. We can see, hear, feel, smell what's going on with the truck but we need the multi-meter to see electrons run.
Old 07-29-2017, 01:18 PM
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Red face

Don`t be letting it out that Electrons can run!!

If they learn the can run we will never catch the little buggers again .

They will be popping up in unwanted places all the time.
Old 07-29-2017, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by wyoming9
... They will be popping up in unwanted places all the time.
lol! Lol!
Old 07-29-2017, 05:08 PM
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When my gauge cluster was replaced nothing would work on my 1986 22RE.Found out that each cluster has an individual parts number and should be replaced with the same number.Believe the number was on the back of the cluster.Perhaps that has nothing to do with yours.I'm not mechanical but perhaps the float in your gas tank is stuck or broken.
Old 07-30-2017, 07:57 AM
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Here's my fuel guage sender. Over the years of use the small wire snapped so it can only send a signal and completely full otherwise my truck reads empty.
Old 07-30-2017, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by RAD4Runner
Next only to our senses (common included)
Is this common sense thing you refer to actually . . . common?


Originally Posted by wyoming9
Don`t be letting it out that Electrons can run!!

If they learn the can run we will never catch the little buggers again .

They will be popping up in unwanted places all the time.
They seem to POP up and through me too often.
Old 07-30-2017, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by L5wolvesf
Why was it replaced and , , , "replaced" as in with the same type and year or as in upgraded to an SR5?
the speedometer went out on the previous owner, they had Toyota put in a brand new one!
Old 07-30-2017, 08:22 AM
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How hard is it to get to the sender unit? Drop the tank?
Old 07-30-2017, 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by infinkc
the speedometer went out on the previous owner, they had Toyota put in a brand new one!
I hope you got that receipt when you got the truck.

Originally Posted by infinkc
How hard is it to get to the sender unit? Drop the tank?
Yup, basically that's it and replace any rubber hoses while you're there.
Old 07-30-2017, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by infinkc
How hard is it to get to the sender unit? Drop the tank?
​​​​​​Yup, drop the tank it's separate from the fuel sending unit. They are also not cheep and kinda hard to find
Old 07-30-2017, 11:07 AM
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While a broken wire in the sender is a reasonably likely cause of your problem, it is by no means the only possible cause. Dropping the tank is a BDD, and the sender (83320-80124) is about $80 from the dealer.

Wouldn't it be great if you could know in advance if that was the problem? Wouldn't it be great if Toyota specified a series of tests you could do which would narrow down the problem to the gauge, sender or wiring?
Old 07-30-2017, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by scope103
Wouldn't it be great if you could know in advance if that was the problem? Wouldn't it be great if Toyota specified a series of tests you could do which would narrow down the problem to the gauge, sender or wiring?
What a fascinating concept. Is there perhaps a book, holy grail, or something similar where these tests could be found. Oooohhhhmmmm
Old 07-30-2017, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by L5wolvesf
What a fascinating concept. Is there perhaps a book, holy grail, or something similar where these tests could be found. Oooohhhhmmmm
I know I have seen it around here some place.....

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