Just put dashboard back all together and noticed my fuel gauge is pinned on full with or without key on. The tank is full but don't recall if the fuel gauge goes down when the key is off? Only way to know for sure if my gauge is ok is to start driving and using up gas but this truck is still far from getting out of the garage. Thanks!

 

You have pinched/shorted a wire to ground most likely. Dash has to come apart again, sorry..

The typical fuel level sender ranges from 3ohm(full) to 110ohm(empty), less resistance more fuel.

If you shorted the gauge to ground it may have been damaged, this would explain why it stays at full with no power.

 

Wait just a minute!

We need more information.

What type of gauge cluster do you have?

Do you have the standard gauge cluster without tachometer or the Deluxe / SR5 gauge cluster with tachometer?

If memory serves me correctly for a 1992, the Deluxe / SR5 gauge cluster with tachometer has a "non-return type needle" like my 1987 SR5 gauge cluster.

Edit: My 1987 owners manual states for vehicles with tachometer: "This fuel gauge has a non-return type needle. Therefore, the needle will remain at the indicated fuel level position regardless of the position of the ignition switch."

I am pretty sure Toyota carried this feature over to the next generation of Trucks and 4Runners.

Is your fuel tank as full as the gauge indicates?

 

Yes, it is the Deluxe (with tach) and the tank was just filled up before I pulled truck into garage. So maybe the gauge is fine if it is a non-return type needle? I do have the tank skid plate off, I guess I could take a few gallons out and see what happens.

 

 

How simple the electricals were back then.

I just finished a lesson on grounding the fuel level sender circuitry. We tested the ohms readings on a vehicle and it was the higher resistance (to a point) that made the fuel level read towards Full and the lower resistance/infinite that made the readings fall back to Empty.

Def a short to ground.

 

Wait just a minute! (again)

Did you confirm that this is NOT the case??

 

Oh Lord. What a mix up.

I'm talking about vehicles of today.

So NO, take that back. Not a short to ground. Haha.

Looks like the sirens have been lit!

 

Oohhhh......... good!

I just want to make sure we are not saying that there is a problem when we might just be seeing normal operation. We don't want to chase a problem that doesn't actually exist! LOL

 

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like the fuel gauge has a non-return needle on a 92 Deluxe, so I'm not gonna pull the dash again or drain some gas. One day this truck will be out of the garage and then I'll know for sure but I am pretty confident all is ok.