Fuel Gauge reading incorrectly

[darrlowe Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close darrlowe]

I have had a problem with the fuel gauge on my 120 Series.

I recently drove from Sydney's Northern Beaches to Homebush with the gauge just below ¼ of a tank, when I went to drive home later in the afternoon the fuel light was on, it stayed on all the way home - 30km. When I pulled up home the gauge then showed about 1/8 of a tank or just above empty.

That night I then filled up the tank (with approx 55l) and the gauge showed just over ¾ of a tank. The next morning when I got in the car and the gauge showed just over ¾ of a tank, but within driving 100m the gauge then showed a full tank.

I took the car to Toyota (twice) and on the second time was told to fill both tanks and keep and eye on the issue. After filling both tanks the problem was still evident, however the discrepancy appeared less, as in the needle did not move as far whilst there was fuel in both tanks (expected). However, on each time that the fuel gauge went to a single 90L tank (green 90L light on) the movement of the gauge appear more drastic (expected).

On one trip the gauge went from full to just above ¾ of a tank. I then parked the car, came out 30minutes later and restarted the car, the gauge showed full. I drove to the shops, went in the shop for 5 minutes, came out and the gauge showed just over ¾ of a tank. By the time I got home the tank showed full again.

Toyota have since replaced the sender (no fix) and will be replacing the EMC tomorrow. Hopefully problem fixed, considering warranty runs out in 2 weeks.

Has anyone else had this problem?

P.S. The Toyota Engineer has been great, once he believed me that there was an issue.

[corallen Member Find all posts View Profile Close corallen]

Re: Fuel Gauge reading incorrectly

hey yeah mine is the same once l get into the second tank as you drive you can see the gauge moving and when ya stop it is differant l am not sure but as l think the back tank gets drawn into the first tank prob some issues there not sure

[darrlowe Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close darrlowe]

Re: Fuel Gauge reading incorrectly

I went to Toyota today (as booked in) to get the new EMC installed, but it appears that the "contractor" when inputting my ODO reading ruined the board. Toyota have ordered another board and will swap it out once it arrives and the ODO is updated. Once it has been replaced I'll update the thread and let you know if the problem is fixed...

[charlie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close charlie]

Re: Fuel Gauge reading incorrectly

how did you get on?

[darrlowe Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close darrlowe]

Re: Fuel Gauge reading incorrectly

Hi Charlie,

I haven't updated the post as there have been a few little hurdles, see below, however I should have the car back any day now.

1. As in previous thread, one EMC got "blown" by the contractor when they put my ODO reading in. Original unit re-installed

2. Then the next EMC unit was programmed incorrectly so that the Temp gauge was out by a 1/4 of a turn, when the engine was warm the needle appeared below "Cold". When the engine was cold the needle was pointing at 8 O'clock.

3. Then the next EMC unit when driving, or stopped, or with the engine turned off, said the car was travelling at 65km/h.

Needless to say that my local Toyota dealer is not "outsorucing" to that contractor any more and have sent the latest EMC to Melbourne for programming. It is expected back any day now and then needs to be installed. At least they have given me a loan car.

P.S. With items 2 & 3 the fuel gauge problem appeared to be fixed, that's a positive.

I finally got the car back after 2 weeks in Toyota. After some testing, I can report all is good. Glad to have my toy back again and driving it.

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Fuel Gauge Issues

The other day when starting the Prado the fuel light came on. Now I knew this was not correct as 100 litres went in the day before. Turned the vehicle off and restarted and the fuel gauge then showed 1/4 tank, still not right so turned off again. Then when starting for the third time the gauge showed full.

Kept an eye on it for the day and and it has now done it a few more times.

Anyone had the same issue or have any suggestions of where to start looking into this issue? I am on the boat in a weeks time for the GTG so need to try and rectify this before going.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Sounds like a dicky meter, have been a few problems now listed for the 120, ie faulty tacho, faulty, speedo faulty fuel gauge, probably a sticking meter or a dry joint. A speedo repairer should be able to sort it out.

Cheers
Leigh

[Germonator Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Germonator]

Definitely got something weird happening to my P120 fuel gauge too... First 100ltrs, the gauge tripped over to 90ltrs at about the right time, then proceeded to empty at around 1000km. Put in another 80ltrs, which set the gauge to 90ltrs and light on...but within no time, 1/4 of a tank had gone and only 120kms....now it's half empty (or half full!!) and only 250kms....which is like 30lt/100....impossible!!!

I've only had this 2007 GxL Prado diesel for about 2mths, so not a lot of fuel has gone through it yet...but I have heard of issues with the gauge before. Infact, I did notice that on the previous tank, it showed 3/4 and then jumped to full again...but only happened the once. On the second fill, it's like I'm going through fuel at a rapid rate and I'm just waiting for the gauge to jump up to 3/4 or something commensurate with the distance travelled so far.

Is a gauge changeover (in the tank I assume?) an easy task??