From: crwlr@verizon.net   
      
   "Grip"  wrote in message   
   news:neednYdmI-Ifo1XanZ2dnUVZ_uOmnZ2d@suscom.com...   
   >   
   > "Dan Swensen"  wrote in message   
   > news:7pmdnTTn_MzmhFXanZ2dnUVZ_gOdnZ2d@comcast.com...   
   >> I'm sorry not to be more helpful, but the ex-wife took the 2000 4-Runner   
   > and   
   >> the maintenance file I had.  That said, I had the same problem on that   
   > 2000   
   >> 4-Runner.  Back then, I was able to find a factory service bulletin that   
   >> allowed for the reset of the fuel gauge using a combination of push   
   >> button   
   >> strokes on the odometer reset button.  I know, it sounds ridiculous, but   
   >> I   
   >> did their procedure and my fuel gauge never gave me another problem.  If   
   >> you've had this problem since vehicle new, you might consider that it's   
   > not   
   >> some sort of deposit build up.   
   >>   
   >> After "fixing" my problem, I read about the TSB that told mechanics to   
   >> replace the fuel sender.  I took my written procedure to my local Toyota   
   >> service manager, and he gave me a free set of spark plugs and a case of   
   > oil   
   >> filters - he was quite pleased to get an alternative.   
   >>   
   >> I'm sorry I no longer have the written procedure, as I said, the ex got   
   > the   
   >> file.  My point is, I found the procedure while digging on the internet   
   > back   
   >> in 2001.  I'm guessing that it's still out there - buried somewhere.   
   >> Good Luck!   
   >>   
   >> "Grip"  wrote in message   
   >> news:cJKdnT6sxJK8B1ranZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@suscom.com...   
   >> >I appreciate being pointed in a workable direction guys! Thank you   
   > all.....   
   >> >   
   >> >   
   >> > "Grip"  wrote in message   
   >> > news:Tf6dnSlS1eeXJVnanZ2dnUVZ_qelnZ2d@suscom.com...   
   >> >> 98 Tacoma 4X4 3.4  x-cab. Bought it new, best vehicle I've ever had   
   >> >> but>............. since new the fuel gauge has been whacky.....after   
   >> >> about   
   >> > a   
   >> >> hundred miles, it reads empty, sometimes to pop back up.....then after   
   >> >> filling the tank, it stays on empty for another 60-100 miles, then   
   >> >> pops   
   >> > back   
   >> >> up. I have learned to use my A odemeter as my fuel gauge. Dealer   
   > through   
   >> > the   
   >> >> years has checked it out and said nothing was wrong...go figure. I'm   
   > been   
   >> > so   
   >> >> used to it it's normal for me anymore but any ideas? Thanks   
   >> >>   
   >> >>   
   >> >   
   >> >   
   >>   
   >>   
   >   
   > Hey, that did gfet me looking elsewhere, thanks! The price of replacing   
   > send   
   > unit+labor is unbelievable....I'll keep using the trip meter. I've been   
   > doing thus for years now and am used to it, but was worth asking...   
   >   
   >   
      
   I was able to clean the sensor contacts in my BMW to solve essentially the   
   same problem. I have a '94 325i, and the fuel level would not float to Full   
   after filling the tank. I pulled the sensor out of the tank and cleaned the   
   contact strip (a wiper sort of thing) with a rough-surfaced business card   
   and a liberal dose of contact cleaner.   
      
   Since your level sensor has displayed wrong from very early in your   
   ownership experience, and my BMW took 10+ years to develop a similar   
   problem, I have to go with the software fix before taking the gas tank   
   apart. (I did not know there was a software fix until I read it here.)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)