Fuel gauge problems

[atrulson]

G'day.

I'm having a problem with the fuel gauge in my 2000 model hilux(kzn165r). I will fill it up one day, drive 50 k's and it will say half empty. I'll jump in it the next day and it will say it's empty for the first 5minutes of driving, it will then rise up to full and keep rising and lowering as I drive.....

Any ideas out there on what it could be??

Cheers

[Lozz]

G'day Andrew,

I've had experiences with this issue happening in other vehicles however not Toyota's?

I repair a vast array of different vehicles in my workshop, and 9/10 times when this happens it is a high probability that the sender unit in the fuel tank is faulty!

This unit works on resistance of current to the guage from the sender to indicate the tank Level.

The normal setup is minimal resistance = high level, and maximum resistance = low level.

How this works is a wiper assembly rubbing on a coil of copper (predominantly), where the coil is the resistance and the wiper is the float level indicator. Basically the wiper wears out!!

Hopefully this helps you mate

[trentmeyer23]

As above, sounds very much like a faulty sender. You could rule out the gauge by earthing the connector at the sender.

[atrulson]

Thanks for that mate, would you be able to tell me if it is a big job for someone to do if they have bugger all knowledge on auto electrics??

[Manxman]

not much knowledge, just common sense. sender is mounted to a removable plate on the top of the tank. you will need a new gasket, and if anything, some fuel resistant silastic--not the normal stuff! the wiring is straightforward, match colour for colour, or location for location. Different models may have different connectors, but o'wise they are all very similar, and prob interchangable. If petrol powered, disconnect battery before you start, no naked lights or smoking/ignition sources. You will either have to remove the tray, or drop the tank. If the latter, try and do it empty. Do not put loads on the pipes, keep them free. Would be a good time to install a tank drain. I imagine it will take some hours for a beginner to do, even with good preparations. NB replace ALL Nyloc nuts you undo with new ones.

[atrulson]

Righto mate. ill try and get to it on the weekend and give it a go. Cheers

[trentmeyer23]

This stuff works very well.

https://www.autobarn.com.au/stag-jointing-paste-200-gram-tube-sg200

[atrulson]

Is that the fuel resistant gasket material manxman was talking about??

[trentmeyer23]

Not sure if it was the same brand as he was referring to, but it works well.

[Bowser]

Can the sender unit be serviced if this issue is occurring