Originally Posted by nieuwendyk-25

What did you do to fix the problem....glad you were not in the TSB I would not wish this problem on anyone.

Originally Posted by wormhole

Change out the sending unit and suction tube assembly. The sending unit that I got had a different part number than what was listed in the TSB for the revised sending unit. Don't know if toyota updated since the TSB was sent out.

Originally Posted by nieuwendyk-25

Thanks! I may have to try it....not crazy about dropping the tank though.

Originally Posted by claudebadly

does any one know if that TSB works for a 2000 tacoma 3.4 5 speed manual?
or is it 4 runner specific?

Originally Posted by wormhole

So have you decided to give it a try??


It's been almost two weeks since I got it fixed and my mileage has returned to normal. I can run a little over 300 miles a tank of fuel.

Originally Posted by nieuwendyk-25

Wormhole,

Understand one thing. The 2000 4Runner has a know fuel guage and tank problem. I ordered my 4Runner in April of 1999. It was the first one off the boat at Gulf States Toyota port in Houston. Shortly after getting it I found the same problem you are having. I took it back to the dealer and they replaced the 3rd board in the instrument panel (which by the way resets the odometer). The problem continued. They had no answer, but gave me the TSB which you have about setting it. I set it with little change. I would drive about 12 miles and my gauge would be below 3/4. I ended up calibrating mine myself by parking it on a hill and then doing the procedure you describe. It made my gauge a lot more accurate, but did not solve the problem at hand. My 4runner is supposed to hold 18.5 gallons. It does not! Though it is capable of it...or should be. I have run out of gas 3 times in my 4runner and I mean out! Two of the times, I coasted to the pump (man was I lucky). Both times it would only take 16.1 gallons not 18.5.

There is a later TSB that discusses the entire problem in depth. Part of the problem was the 3rd board, part was the sender (I think), and the other problem is the return line that makes the pump shut off is too long. I do not remember the full TSB, but it tells what needs to be done to fix it. I have argued long and hard with Toyota over this. My problem presented early and they had no answer. I did not find the TSB until my 4Runner was out of warranty, thus they would not fix it unless I paid them $400. I consider this a safety issue, because one time I ran out in sub freezing temperatures with my pregnant wife in the car. But good ol' Toyota...not a recall...a TSB....stupid don't you think! This problem only affected early 2000 4runners and some late '99's I believe.

My gauge did have one weird problem one time. I was pulling a trailer and getting real bad gas mileage due to the weight and the wind I was driving in. I pulled into a gas station to get a drink and the 4Runner stalled....the gauge read 1/2 tank. I turned the key off and back on, then it read empty....never figured that on out.

Anyway...just wanted to pass this on, as you may not have as much gas in that tank as you think when the light comes on. Your tank like many 2000 4runners may not allow you to fill it up completely. Hope this helps.