I found a 3 wire plug on the back side and top of the gastank near the shock on my 86 runner. one of the wires is broke. would this be why my fuel gauge isnt working. I have pix I can load tomorrow

 

Yep, that's for the gauge. 2 wires for gauge, 1 for low fuel light.

 

can i buy just the plug some where cause its broke right at the plug. and thank you for the help.

 

upullit yard and clip it off one shouldnt cost more than 5 dollars i would hope

 

does it have to be off a 1st gen runner

 

Hard to say you can try asking the parts counter person at the local autoparts store how many versions of pump they have for a general idea.

Don't forget to disconnect the battery first.

Cut the old one off and take it with you, make sure you cut it off high enough that if you decide to repair it you have enough wire sticking out to do so easily. When you cut the donor out cut it off three or four inches longer than you did the original, better too have to much then too little.

With a flash light or once you have it on the work bench, inspect it and you'll find the locking tab that holds the copper connector into the housing. Gently pry this out of the way and you can push the copper piece out the back or front of the housing. Now you can either pry open the clamps or twist and solder, depending how much wire is left.

Good self sealing water proof crimp connectors is the best way to go for reattaching. Since you're right next to the fuel..

That said you can probably get away with just twisting and taping.

Strip about two inches off each side.
(Slip on a piece of heat shrink tubing if you have a heat gun, plug in, or battery operated soldering iron.)
Now place them so you have overlap in the wire, with about one inch between the protective sheaths.
Now holding it in the middle twist/wrap the loose end around the wire slowly. (You want atleast four turns fully around the wire, more is ok less is not, don't overlap the wraps.)
Trim off the excess just short of the sheath.
Reverse your hold and repeat for the other side.
Now apply solder and shrink the tubing, with plug in iron or heat gun. (Not responsible if you blow your self up with a portable gas powered iron )
Or tape it up, take care that the sheathing is clean and dry and do not stretch the tape.