Can a fuel tank sending unit malfunction?

[bigndn]

Just wondering. Got an email this morning from the new owner of my old FJ60. He informed me the gas gauge read 1/2 tank, but he ran out of fuel. It was right on before I turned it over to him, but the fuel pump went out. I replaced the fuel pump and did some PM at the same time (new rotor, dist cap, and ignition control unit, plugs and wires were new 3 months ago). Any ideas?

 

[Thorton Melon]

Ha you beat me to it. Yes it showed half a tank, I crawled under it to see if the fuel pump was running it was, but the the pre fuel filter was empty. I put two gallons in it and then the gage showed just under half a tank. It fired up I went to the gas station and put 13.336 gallons in it plus 2 gallons on the side if the road, does a 15.5 gallon tank capacity sound right? Isn't there a recall on FJ60 tanks?

 

[Downey]

Senders and/or dash gauges can go out on a moments notice.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

my sending unit doesnt work right in my 60.... never has when i fill up it may be a 16th over a half tank and it wont move for around 75 miles then it drops as it were normal. i have noticed tho that i run out of gas when the needle is level with the top line of the "E" and my buddies 62 is a little above that mark.

so long as the needle still works ill leave it be.

 

[zuluzeugma]

Ha you beat me to it. Yes it showed half a tank, I crawled under it to see if the fuel pump was running it was, but the the pre fuel filter was empty. I put two gallons in it and then the gage showed just under half a tank. It fired up I went to the gas station and put 13.336 gallons in it plus 2 gallons on the side if the road, does a 15.5 gallon tank capacity sound right? Isn't there a recall on FJ60 tanks?

15.5 Doesn't sound right at all. 90L sticks in my head as the stock tank size (23.8 GAL)

Its definately bigger than 15.5 gal.

 

[Marc311]

I know I just put 18 gallons in the other day and I wasn't even on Empty. 23.8 sounds like a lot to me, but maybe my guage is that far off. I've never run it dry - it would be nice to think I still have another 5 gallons or so after I hit E.

Let's see, an extra 5 gallons . . .Wow, I could drive another 14 miles or so!

 

[cruiser88]

FSM shows you how to ohm both of them out.

 

[bigndn]

FSM shows you how to ohm both of them out.

You have one you can send to Thorton Melon?

 

[cruiser88]

You have one you can send to Thorton Melon?

But in a thread of maces I did a quick write up on how to ohm out the gauges in the dash....well at least the heat and gas anyway.....I think

hmmm let me dig

edit..oh s*** sorry...it was just for oil..and my books are only on 62's

 

[cruiser88]

Inspection of receiver gauge system


Ok don't know if they are the same but here is what they say to do on testing 62's
Disconnect the connector from the sender gauge after that you turn the ignition on to see if the needle falls to empty...if so move on.

B Connect the 3 and 4 terminal on the wire harness side connector through a 3.4 test bulb.

C Turn the ignition on again ,check that the bulb lights up and that the receiver gauge moves toward the full side. If operation is not as specified, inspect the receiver gauge resistance and voltage regulator.


stand by

 

[cruiser88]

INSPECT SENDER GAUGE OPERATION

Connect a series of three 1.5 v dry cell battery's.

B Connect the positive lead from the dry cell battery to the terminal 1 through a 3.4 watt test bulb and the negative lead to the terminal 2

C Check that the voltage rises between terminals 1 and 2 as the float is moved from the top to bottom position.

D Measure the resistance between terminals 1 and 2 for each float position.

Full resistance(ohms) should read 3.0 on the full and 110 on empty.

If the resistance is not as specified replace the sender gauge.

 

[Thorton Melon]

Thank you sir!
Do you have anything on the sending unit in the tank I'm wondering if there is something that could have come loose and it only draws fuel from over a half a tank?

 

[cruiser88]

Thank you sir!
Do you have anything on the sending unit in the tank I'm wondering if there is something that could have come loose and it only draws fuel from over a half a tank?

Post 11 was for the sending unit.

I know on the 62 if you lift the carpet in the back you will find a access cover remove it and there you will find the sender.

Yes you can get a loose connection or it could be dirty

 

[Downey]

Crazy 88, I wouldn't question the 110 empty by 3 full if that is right out of the FJ62 book (which I don't have), but its sure seems strange that Toyota went back to the pre-1972 ohm values?????

 

[mudpaws]

The tank cap is certainly around 23 gal. totally dry E to completely F...

 

[cruiser88]

Crazy 88, I wouldn't question the 110 empty by 3 full if that is right out of the FJ62 book (which I don't have), but its sure seems strange that Toyota went back to the pre-1972 ohm values?????

Yea I thought about that but it is right out of the Toyota manual for the fj62.

Really need someone to confirm this for a fj60

 

[Thorton Melon]

Post 11 was for the sending unit.

I know on the 62 if you lift the carpet in the back you will find a access cover remove it and there you will find the sender.

Yes you can get a loose connection or it could be dirty

I guess my question came out wrong has anyone seen inside the gas tank to the pick up tube for the fuel pump? how does it draw fuel from the tank, and is it possible for the pick tube inside the tank to fall off and stop drawing fuel after it gets below a half a tank?

 

[bigndn]

I guess my question came out wrong has anyone seen inside the gas tank to the pick up tube for the fuel pump? how does it draw fuel from the tank, and is it possible for the pick tube inside the tank to fall off and stop drawing fuel after it gets below a half a tank?

Interesting question. I wish I had an answer for you. This is driving me bat****.

 

[cruiser88]

I guess my question came out wrong has anyone seen inside the gas tank to the pick up tube for the fuel pump? how does it draw fuel from the tank, and is it possible for the pick tube inside the tank to fall off and stop drawing fuel after it gets below a half a tank?

Oh sorry...I have never seen inside of a 60 tank.

 

[ginericLC]

I'll try to crack mine open this afternoon and see how it is put together. I just dropped the tank a few weeks ago and emptied it and it has just been sitting. It looks like new on the outside, I may as well have a look at the inside too as I imagine I won't be able to use it for my project and will sell it.