Fuel gauge went to empty and reserve light is on:

[nissanh]

Just had an issue.
Fuel tank is 3/4 full. Stopped the engine, turn the ignition to barely ON (not until the ignition key comes to the stop at ON position) to open the sunroof. After 10 minutes, turned the ignition on and closed the sunroof.
Started the truck and the fuel reserve light on and the gauge needle is not moving. Knowing there is enough gas, I drove it. About a mile down the road gauge worked and reserve light turned off
Came home and restarted the engine. Again, dead gauge and reserve light on.
Turned off the engine and started again. This time gauge worked.


Any information on this?
Thanks

 

[nissanh]

A fully turned ON ignition will not show the reserve light (gas pump sign). I barely turned it to the ON position, and this showed the reserve light. Don't know why.

Anyways, I did 16 miles round trip at 75 MPH. After doing about 10 miles, the reserve light turned OFF! and the gas gauge started climbing at a snail speed. I reached home and the gauge is quite close to 1/2 level. I talked to a friend who owns a 2001 full size Montero. He once had the ignition ON (engine off) while pumping gas. He later found out the gauge is acting crazy. When it is full it shows 1/2 mark, some times 1/4 when it is full. He drove just like that for few days, and one day he noticed, the gauge went to full mark (tank was full) at snail speed. Don't know What is the exact reason but both seem alike. Since then his gas gauge is working fine.

 

[DirtDawg]

Idk if I would compare your situation with a montero... but it could just be the sender acting up. Id keep an eye on it and chase it further if it keeps on happening. I've had issues with 2 4Runner's gas gauges, but that was a well documented issue. It's a pretty basic system, sending unit, then it passes through the motherboard, which then displays the level.

FWIW I fillup with ignition on, engine running, and the level as I fill up is a little delayed, but accurate.

 

[nissanh]

^^^ thank you!

I'll continue to monitor the situation. What bothers me most is I am heading to FL on Sunday and gas gauge is important. If I fill up the tank, how many miles can I do safely? I plan to fill up every 150 miles. My truck is stock with 265 75 16 tires. Year: 2000; Miles 220 K.
Can one tell me a decent MPG for it?
Thanks

 

[DirtDawg]

You should be able to do 250 miles comfortably before filling up.

 

[bctlex]

You should be able to do 250 miles comfortably before filling up.

Second that.

Just for comparison, I just did a 1500 miles trip over Thanksgiving. My LC has 222K. I get consistent 15-16mpg at 70mph. 24 gallon tank x 15 miles = 360 miles, so 250 miles is pretty safe distance before filling up.

 

[2001LC]

Depending on load:
@ 60MPH < you could see 15 to 17 MPG
@ 75MPH > you could see 14 to 15 MPG

Any chance you drove in rain, snow or had washed your rig shortly before gas gauge gremlin incident?

 

[nissanh]

Thanks for the input guys. I like 16 MPG, my 3rd gen 4runner is doing 17.7 MPG so I am taking the cruiser down to FL

No, I didn't wash or drove in rain/snow.

Tied to my previous post:
When I left the truck last night the gauge was showing little below 1/2 mark. I know the tank should have at least 3/4. Next day morning, I went to start the truck. Soon after I started the truck the gauge showed 3/4 mark.. and no reserve light Yey!

So far so good. I think something happened when I turn the ignition barely to ON position to close the sunroof.