bamachem
03-21-2008, 07:00 AM
In my 99 4Runner, I haven't had any issues until last week. On Thursday, the gas gauge freaked out and jumped from 3/4 tank to off-the-scale-FULL on the gauge. It stayed there no matter what the level was in the tank. I drove 250-ish miles and then filled up - still no change - that was on Monday. Now on Tuesday, I cranked it up to go to work and the gauge was still above the Full mark. I got about 10-feet down the road and the gauge dropped to off-the-scale empty and the fuel light started flashing. When I shut it off, the gauge stays put - where it should be. As soon as I turn the key on, the needle goes to Full - no matter what the level is. I can crank it and it will stay there about 5-seconds and then drop to nothing again.
On Wednesday, I did a fuel gauge recalibration using this:
1. After replacing the meter circuit plate or inclination sensor, move the vehicle to a level location. (A surface with an inclination no greater than 0.5° is the target flatness.)
2. With the ignition switch in the “OFF” position, press and hold the trip reset button.
3. Continue pressing the trip reset button while turning the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
4. Within 5 seconds of turning the ignition switch “ON”, release the trip switch, press the trip switch 3 times, and on the third press hold the switch for 5 seconds. The buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800 HZ.
5. After the buzzer stops, release the trip switch.
6. Press the trip switch one more time and hold for 5 seconds. Once more, the buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800 HZ.
7. The calibration process is completed.
NOTE:
If in the operation of step 6, the buzzer sounds higher than that of step 5, turn the ignition switch to “OFF” position and repeat the setting procedure from step 2.
The first time I did it, it worked great. The needle immediately began to fall to the correct level and all was good - for a few miles. I got maybe 5-miles down the road w/ a normal reading and then BAM!, back to empty w/ the fuel light flashing.
Weird crap. I have tried the recalibration at least a half-dozen times since then with no change in the way the gauge behaves.
I'm thinking a loose connection somewhere... Has anyone else here experienced one doing stuff like this?
I'm planning on taking the access cover off (located under the rear driver seat, under the carpet), and check the connections on the fuel sending unit and maybe even pull it and check for debris/corrosion. Any other suggestions?
On Wednesday, I did a fuel gauge recalibration using this:
1. After replacing the meter circuit plate or inclination sensor, move the vehicle to a level location. (A surface with an inclination no greater than 0.5° is the target flatness.)
2. With the ignition switch in the “OFF” position, press and hold the trip reset button.
3. Continue pressing the trip reset button while turning the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
4. Within 5 seconds of turning the ignition switch “ON”, release the trip switch, press the trip switch 3 times, and on the third press hold the switch for 5 seconds. The buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800 HZ.
5. After the buzzer stops, release the trip switch.
6. Press the trip switch one more time and hold for 5 seconds. Once more, the buzzer will sound for 1 second at 800 HZ.
7. The calibration process is completed.
NOTE:
If in the operation of step 6, the buzzer sounds higher than that of step 5, turn the ignition switch to “OFF” position and repeat the setting procedure from step 2.
The first time I did it, it worked great. The needle immediately began to fall to the correct level and all was good - for a few miles. I got maybe 5-miles down the road w/ a normal reading and then BAM!, back to empty w/ the fuel light flashing.
Weird crap. I have tried the recalibration at least a half-dozen times since then with no change in the way the gauge behaves.
I'm thinking a loose connection somewhere... Has anyone else here experienced one doing stuff like this?
I'm planning on taking the access cover off (located under the rear driver seat, under the carpet), and check the connections on the fuel sending unit and maybe even pull it and check for debris/corrosion. Any other suggestions?