deathrunner

Well my fuel gauge stopped working a while back. It started slowly.
At first, It woudl show Full when I filled up and then about 25 miles later it would show empty (I get about 300 on a tank and about 200 till it used to say empty).

Now the gauge doesn't even move. I swapped the fuel gauge and battery gauge (SR5 cluster) for a new (different) one and it has the same problem.

What can I check to fix this? What parts might have failed.

I'm noit sure what wiring and components lead up to this ever important indicator.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Sounds like whatever your problem is...that it is on the other end in/on the tank w/ reading the correct fuel level. You got a FSM? I could go look in mine and see what it says...I'm sure it would be the same since I got a 22RE in my 85.

Corbit

I have the same deal , I beleive it's the sending unit.

ScubaDuck

Had the exact same symptoms on my 89 pickup (3.0). Replacing the fuel sending unit fixed the problem.

-Scubaduck

deathrunner

How much will a fuel sending unit run? And How hard was that removal install?

I have a Chiltons and Haynes, but I take it that they are not nearly what the FSM is.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Like I said, I got an 85 FSM if you want something...I'm sure it is the same sending unit, but it can't be that hard to replace as the gas tank access is under the pass reat seat.

RED 85

Yeah i got almost the same problem but mine says full all the time.

Brian if you can read and post about it i know i would appriciate it. if it has any pics in the FSM they may help too.

B

bob200587

Don't bother with it....who needs a fuel gauge?

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Let me see what I can find guys, I'll look after I can get the boys to bed and the 87 back together for work tomorrow.

B,

You got some sliders due ya don't ya?

deathrunner

Me! I'll gladly takes yours off your hands.

Wabbit- any info would be greatly appreciated.

I have seen the access panel under the rear seat, but I am eager to remove it

bob200587

you can't have mine since it doesn't work either, but if it did you could have it......Its easier now for me to tell how much gas I have by miles than with a gauge.

Oh, The panel under the backseat is just screwed on and has a gasket thats kinda like RVT sealant. Its nothing to take it off and on. I did it just to see what was under there back in the day.

ScubaDuck

As for price of the Fuel Sending Unit- I paid about $80 at the stealership. If money is tight, check out this thread:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3rd-gen-fuel-gauge-problem-i-think-i-figured-out-problem-pics-60260/

That thread leads me to believe that cleaning the contacts on the FSU might fix the problem, at least temporarily. Since I had to drop the tank on my pickup, it was worth it to me to replace the whole unit.

On mine, once the tank was down, it was a matter of removing 4-5 small bolts which hold the FSU to the top of the tank, unplugging the FSU, then installing the new one. My FSU looked like a round plate on top of the tank with wires coming out the center. If you don't have to drop your tank, it would only take about a half hour or so to change out, so it might be worth it to try some electrical contact cleaner first.

Good luck-

Scubaduck

RED 85

I am waiting on pins and needle's, and don't forget the Stickers!!
B

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Tomorrow...as I "just" got through doing routine maintenance to the 87, but I'll check out the FSM tomorrow night and see what is there...and post up the pages if ya want me to.

deathrunner

I wonder if I could find a FSU cheaper than 80.00. That would be cool.

Corbit

I'm going to take mine out today and clean it with some electrical cleaner ,I'll post back.

superjoe83

i have one out of a 86 pickup, im not sure if they are the same, i can get a part # off of it if you want, pay shipping and its yours

deathrunner

what kind of condition is the contact in? i could be very interested.

linuxrunner

just so you know i have a 88 4runner with the same problem, but i can't access the sender guage from the access pannel under the seat, that allows access the the fuel pump, the sender guage is about 6in past the access pannel so you would have to drop the tank to remove it. that is the only reason i have to replaced it yet. but if my pump goes out it should be real easy to replacd

superjoe83

I'm not sure, you cant really see it without taking it apart, here are a few pics of it, i can take more if you want, and i think that this one is wired for a low fuel light, not sure if that matters