Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

Low Fuel lamp on with a full tank

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 07:24 AM
  #1  
jbt308's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Low Fuel lamp on with a full tank

Hello,

I've got an 1988 4Runner SR5 and I noticed this morning that the low fuel light came on with the gauge reading 3/4 full. I recently replaced the fuel pump in the tank and it's been working like a champ.

Thinking the gauge might've broken, I pulled in to fill up, and could only get 8 gallons in the tank. I'm thinking the sending unit might be broke. Any ideas on where the issue might lie?

Thanks,
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 09:25 AM
  #2  
TNRabbit's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,787
Likes: 36
From: TENN Native Languishing in Virginia
You're lucky; I've NEVER seen the fuel light work on any of these trucks!
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 09:57 AM
  #3  
Erik Beeman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Concord, CA
My fuel light doens't work on either of my trucks, my 88' nor my 92'
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 10:13 AM
  #4  
jbt308's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
One other odd thing is that the fuel gauge stays at 3/4 full. But I filled up the tank this morning?
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 03:31 PM
  #5  
joesscamaro's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Still learning about Yotas, but maybe a fuel level sensor? I had mine go bad in my Sonoma...don't know if they're the same tho.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 11:30 AM
  #6  
Jeff B. in Michigan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Michigan
Kind of old thread but ... yesterday ... after 193K miles, my low fuel lamp has started to fail. The specific issues I am experiencing are:

1) lamp flickers with road bumps (like something is shorting out) after filling up the tank.

2) between 1/2 and 1/4 the lamp comes on fully (when operating correctly, it came on at 1/8 tank)

The fuel gauge seems to be working fine.

Anyone else experience this issue and find a solution?

Thanks,

Jeff
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2011 | 01:35 PM
  #7  
hilandfrog's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Helena, Mt.
Didn't know the truck had fuel idiot light....



Repo
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2011 | 10:21 AM
  #8  
Hadmatt54's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 578
Likes: 2
From: New Brunswick, Canada
One other odd thing is that the fuel gauge stays at 3/4 full. But I filled up the tank this morning?
Does your fuel gauge drop below 3/4 as your tank level drops? I ask that because, it sounds like you have a partial ground in your circuit , causing the fuel light to come on and the fuel gauge to stay at 3/4.
The low fuel level switch is a type of variable resistance. You test it with a 3.4 w. bulb and a 12v. source in series with the switch. When it is out of liquid the the 3.4 w. bulb lights, immerse it in liquid and the bulb goes out. You test the gauge in the dash the same way 12v in series with the 3.4 w. bulb and the fuel gauge should go to about the 1/2 mark.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2011 | 01:56 AM
  #9  
Jeff B. in Michigan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Michigan
Originally Posted by Hadmatt54
Does your fuel gauge drop below 3/4 as your tank level drops? I ask that because, it sounds like you have a partial ground in your circuit , causing the fuel light to come on and the fuel gauge to stay at 3/4.
The low fuel level switch is a type of variable resistance. You test it with a 3.4 w. bulb and a 12v. source in series with the switch. When it is out of liquid the the 3.4 w. bulb lights, immerse it in liquid and the bulb goes out. You test the gauge in the dash the same way 12v in series with the 3.4 w. bulb and the fuel gauge should go to about the 1/2 mark.
Thanks for the information. The gauge in dash still works, the only problem is relating to the low fuel lamp!
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jbv808
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
16
Aug 6, 2021 04:47 PM
Eggslinger
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
22
Jun 8, 2019 03:32 PM
Doug4320
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
19
Mar 24, 2018 10:11 PM
redneck17
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
8
Jul 17, 2015 07:44 PM
skoti89
Offroad Tech
3
Jul 8, 2015 12:05 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:27 PM.