I'm sure alot of you 3rd generation guys are familiar with this, the TSB about the fuel gauge with a mind of it's own. I talked with a local Toyota dealer a few weeks ago about fixing this on the Runner, he ran the vin and said I only need the sending unit and the parts for the gas tank-I don't need the new gauge cluster. So last week me and a buddy were changing a bad fuel pump in my 92 Mustang and I was thinking, changing the sending unit in the 4Runner couldn't be much harder could it? Have any of you taken care of your EL010 issue yourself or have all gone back to the dealer? If anyone has done it yourself, were there any major issues? Let me know, cause if not I'm going to tackle it myself soon.

 

i might be having this problem, what are your symptoms

 

If you search the site you'll find alot of detailed info on the TSB which includes links to it. Basically though on 99 and 00 (maybe 01-?) 4Runners there was an issue that caused the fuel gauge to give inaccurate and confusing readings.

On my 00, you can fill it up, drive 10 miles and the gauge will read below 3/4 of a tank. Then it will be fine for a while, then it drops off really dramatically. Later, it shows nearly empty (to the point the idiot light comes on) but it will only hold like 9.5 gallons when you fill it up again. A friend has a 99 and it plays similar games.

Some vehicles require replacing the sending unit in the tank only. Others require the sending unit as well as a new gauge cluster. You have to check your VIN to determine which you need. Go to www.phorunner.com for a copy of the TSB.

Anyway, Toyota addressed it with a TSB but not a formal recall because it "wasn't a safety" issue. My wife might think otherwise if stranded on the side of the road at night! Anyway, when I bought the Runner, it was barely out of the warranty period so I'm on my own.