Ran out of gas -- twice! (1 Viewer)

[Taco2Cruiser]

Does the fuel pump continue to run as long as the vehicle is on even if it's not actually running?

No, once the motor is off, the pump will turn off.

I bet it's a bad sending unit like @linuxgod said. Our fuel pump assemblies are about a 6" diameter, almost a foot tall plastic bucket with a pump in the bottom of it, the sending unit just clips to the side of the bucket. The pump isint just in there by itself, the bucket works to catch sloshing fuel when the tank is low, and fills the bucket at a higher lever than the level outside of the bucket, keeping the pump submerged for as long as possible. The sending unit is just a little metal rod with a floater on the end to a simple electronic gauge, not much, but not exactly the worlds strongest part.

I wouldn't worry about junk in the bottom of the tank in the US. US fuel is very clean, I dropped a Tacoma gas tank with over 400k and there was only one little red shred plastic thing that found its way in there.

 

[damdifino]

OP update. I forgot to post the result. Yes, I took it to the dealer and they replaced the sending unit. Gauge is spot-on now. Thanks for everybody's suggestions and support.

 

[art5519]

OP update. I forgot to post the result. Yes, I took it to the dealer and they replaced the sending unit. Gauge is spot-on now. Thanks for everybody's suggestions and support.

Can you share how much dealer charged? Thanks!

 

[mreedbmwm3]

Just had the same issue, ran out of gas, gauge said 41 miles to empty.. apparently I drove it long enough on empty that it also burned out the fuel pump (new fuel sending unit, plus pump $1300 ) I have 140K on mine btw. Love the 200 but it sure needs more repairs than the 100 or 60 series... so far: New Radiator (had crack on top but Toyota offered to pay for this because I called them and complained that it was a bad design and this is my 5th LC) , new Starter, now new fuel pump and sending unit...all this replaced between 125K and 140K miles , sweet., it'll be like new now.

Just pray that your cam towers don't leak. Or that you have to replace a timing chain tensioner. I've had to do both in addition to the radiator! My 100 did have a very expensive repair related to the brake booster, but hand's down this 200 has cost me some bucks. But I do love it! hahaha

 

[damdifino]

Can you share how much dealer charged? Thanks!

Came in at $893 parts and labor. (</ouch!)