Sub Tank switching questions

[tdko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tdko]

Hi I own a 1999 Prado which has a switch for the sub tank and a green light comes on near the gauge, Can I switch over whilst driving or do I have to stop, don't want to wreak the switch or the fuel tanks Thanks...
Also Im wondering with lights on does the automatic gear shift on the floor light up so you can see what gear your in, I know on the dash it displays the gear letter, also there is a power up button and 2nd power button near the gear shift these dont light up either. Could someone please let me know Thanks Heaps

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

Re: new prado owner

Without specific knowledge of this vehicle, my opinion would be:

- Its fine to switch over tanks while driving. From what I know this is only an issue with petrol/gas conversions.
- The letters next to the auto gear lever should light up.
- Not sure about the power up button, but I am pretty sure my 2nd start button lights up on my 120 series.

Check out the 90 series section of this forum, might be able to assist more.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: new prado owner

I also own a 1999 Prado V6 manual with the petrol model yes you can swith the tank over either way when car is in motion , occasionaly I will let the main tank run dry as I am driving I will feel a loss in power ( a joke I play with the wife put her in panic mode thinking the car has s**t it self )flick the switch and instantiously it will cut in . Like I stated mine is a manual can not see an issue being auto but unsure on the diesel models for the fuel change over .

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: new prado owner

From memory they recommend that you switch tanks going under 60kmh. Not sure why this is but I've stuck with it and never had a problem.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

I also had 90 series V6 petrol. I used to always run on the sub tank first and usually drove it until the first sign of splutter. I found this was around 450km normally. The reason for running the sub tank first was that you don't end up with the yellow idiot light stuck on when the main tank was down to last 10 litres or so. It's an annoying light.

You run the sub until the first sign of splutter then back off the throttle whilst you switch the tanks over. Only takes a couple of seconds to get the fuel flowing. And when filling the sub it would always only take about 62 - 65 litres and not the 69 that it should take and that tells you that there were at least 4 - 5 litres in the bottom of the tank to keep the pump wet.

I do the same with our V8 T/dsl troopies at work - run the sub first. Then when you're on the main and the idiot light comes on you know you have around 60 - 80 kays left before empty.

[Yowie in Oz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yowie in Oz]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

I have a 95 series diesel. When my main tank runs down to the quarter mark, I flick the switch to operate the sub tank. I do it on the fly no matter what the speed. Never had any problems. I would not recommend running any tanks dry before switching over, you just never know what gunk will flow through your fuel system. I treat my quarter mark as an empty line, that way, I never have the worry of a dirty fuel system, or burning out the electric pumps, or better still, running out and having to get out and prime the diesel pump.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

I would not recommend running any tanks dry before switching over, you just never know what gunk will flow through your fuel system. I treat my quarter mark as an empty line, that way, I never have the worry of a dirty fuel system, or burning out the electric pumps, or better still, running out and having to get out and prime the diesel pump.

But would it make sence to run tanks dry to eliminate any chance of build up ?

[Thistledo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Thistledo]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

Hi I own a 1999 Prado which has a switch for the sub tank and a green light comes on near the gauge, Can I switch over whilst driving or do I have to stop, don't want to wreak the switch or the fuel tanks Thanks...
Also Im wondering with lights on does the automatic gear shift on the floor light up so you can see what gear your in, I know on the dash it displays the gear letter, also there is a power up button and 2nd power button near the gear shift these dont light up either. Could someone please let me know Thanks Heaps

I own a 2000 90 series RV diesel, I switch from main to sub tank on the fly with no problems . I normaly run the main until the low fuel light is on then switch to sub I fill the main tank then top off the sub until the pump reaches the $100 value when the sub is full I run it down to 1/4 full, then start the fill cycle again

I am not a mechanic and all this may not be nessarsary, knowing everything works while daily driving gives me the confidence that I wont be stranded when out in the sticks miles from a petrol pump. My thinking is, I am running fresh fuel at all times and also giving the fuel pumps a run. I have never run dry so I cant coment on that

Being a basic manuel RV I dont have fancy gear change lights so cant help you on that


Phil

[Wil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wil]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

When I had a 90 series as a work car a few years back the workshop guys told me to never run the tanks to empty because the injector pump needed the diesel as a lubricant and the time taken to change over left the pumps unlubed and caused wear.

Because it was a work car I duly noted their advice and ignored them. I ran the tanks dry regularily with no harmful effects in the 100,000km or so that i had the car.

[tdko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tdko]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

Thanx all you guys who responded the jist of it all is I can switch tank whilst driving Thanx again

[Goose Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Goose]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

Hi guys,

To also answer your other question, my 2000 VX has a green "ECT Power" light when you turn on the power button. Basically it makes the transmission shift a little more agressively (i.e. lets the engine rev out further when accelerating), kicks down gears more aggressively when you plant your foot (say on the high way).

2nd start starts the transmission in 2nd gear as you take off (makes it less likely to bog yourself in sand etc), although I havent found a real use for this yet (letting down tyre pressures works pretty well).

Goose

[BirdMan Member Find all posts View Profile Close BirdMan]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

2nd start starts the transmission in 2nd gear as you take off (makes it less likely to bog yourself in sand etc), although I havent found a real use for this yet (letting down tyre pressures works pretty well).

I believe this is for snow use

[Goose Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Goose]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

actually i think your right, pity its as good as teets on a bull here in QLD, dont see a lot of snow

[Prado Zimm Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado Zimm]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

One thing I can recommend is NOT to change tanks at 110 km/h :shock: The sub tank switch WAS next to the spotties switch and in the dark accidentally hit the wrong one ops:. Once I scrapped our faces off the windscreen I moved the switch

[Robo76 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Robo76]

Re: Sub Tank switching questions

Hi tdko

In answer to your other questions, the gear shift and 2nd/pwr switch normally light up when your lights are on. Mine didnt like yours when i first bought it. I replaced a blown globe located under the shifter plastic cover. Also while you have the console top cover out pop out the 2nd/pwr button/switch and unscrew the screw in globe holder on the side. You can buy new ones of these through REPCO. TOYOTA couldnt even find this globe on there parts list. Both globes were only a few bucks each. While i was at it i also replace a few blown ones behind the air con controls. Hope this helps.

Cheers