Author Topic: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??  (Read 21268 times)

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IVrunner

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Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« on: Sep 28, 2010, 12:21:34 AM »
Something that has constantly bugged me since i've owned my 4runner (87 SR5 22RE) is my faulty fuel gauge.  I can fill up the tank and it reads full and reads accurately until 60 or so miles have been put on it and it immediately drops.  I know this is a common problem, so I decided to investigate.  I dropped the tank and determined it to be the following (pics borrowed from another forum).
 
Basically the wire wound resistor is broken from all those years of being rubbed by the wiper arm that's attached to the float arm.

My question to anyone who has dealt this this - can it be fixed??  Because a toyota replacement is $200 :yikes: (part #83320-39695 for anyone willing to pay that much).  While I have the tank dropped I would really like to fix the problem, but I can't see paying this and I have pretty much ruled out an aftermarket replacement because of compatibility reasons. 

Anyone have a cheap solution?


~Josh
-87 4Runner SR5 - SAS, 4.88's, 33 KM2s, Lockright front, elocker rear, frenched hangers, TG in front, 63’s in rear (DD)
-2010 4runner Trail (wife DD)
-2000 4runner 4WD manual Highlander -SOLD:(
-1986 Toyota pickup SAS on 35s -SOLD
-1985 4runner (first car) -SOLD

emsvitil

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #1 on: Sep 28, 2010, 01:06:20 AM »
I'd think if you can determine the wire used, you could just rewrap it.............

What's the Ohm range full to empty supposed to be?    Knowing this, you might just figure out what gauge of wire, and what kind of wire to wrap it with....
Ed
SoCal
86 SR5 XtraCab
22RE  W56B
31x10.50R15

IVrunner [OP]

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #2 on: Sep 28, 2010, 01:32:01 AM »
per the FSM, for a 17.17gal 4x4 tank at full the resistance is 3 +- 2/3 (at least i think that's what its saying - its a little confusing in the manual) and at empty the resistance is 110 +-7.7.  I'll look into that, but I have no idea what wire is being used - i'm no electrician.  Can anyone chime in on wire type?
~Josh
-87 4Runner SR5 - SAS, 4.88's, 33 KM2s, Lockright front, elocker rear, frenched hangers, TG in front, 63’s in rear (DD)
-2010 4runner Trail (wife DD)
-2000 4runner 4WD manual Highlander -SOLD:(
-1986 Toyota pickup SAS on 35s -SOLD
-1985 4runner (first car) -SOLD

IVrunner [OP]

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #3 on: Sep 28, 2010, 01:40:54 AM »
...don't want to spend $200 for something so minor
~Josh
-87 4Runner SR5 - SAS, 4.88's, 33 KM2s, Lockright front, elocker rear, frenched hangers, TG in front, 63’s in rear (DD)
-2010 4runner Trail (wife DD)
-2000 4runner 4WD manual Highlander -SOLD:(
-1986 Toyota pickup SAS on 35s -SOLD
-1985 4runner (first car) -SOLD

2manytoys

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #4 on: Sep 28, 2010, 08:46:56 PM »
It's way easier and not too expensive to just get a used one. I just got one for my 88 pickup for $36 shipped.

Yeah, I know used parts are just as old, but I wasn't going to pay big bucks for a new one either.

It sucks to not know how much gas you have so I took a chance and got one from a seller on this forum.

Parts for sale section. " Almost any part you want" in Missouri. Sorry, I suck with links.
88 Pickup SAS'd, 3.4 V6, R151F Hybrid, Dual Ultimate, Triple sticks, 35's, 5.29's, HP front, V6 rear, Aussies, 63" Chevs, Anti Wrap Bar, Warn 8274 on Home Built Bumper

4WU linked 86 Xtra Cab build in progress

IVrunner [OP]

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #5 on: Sep 28, 2010, 08:51:21 PM »
ya i actually just got a quote from Jennifer for the same price and just told her i'd take it.  I'm with you - its worth taking a risk on another used one.  I just tried to mess with mine and it looks exactly like the picture above.  aparently it only reads at top (where the wires are broken) because it closes the circuit.  once the bar drops below the broken wires its now open and does not read.
~Josh
-87 4Runner SR5 - SAS, 4.88's, 33 KM2s, Lockright front, elocker rear, frenched hangers, TG in front, 63’s in rear (DD)
-2010 4runner Trail (wife DD)
-2000 4runner 4WD manual Highlander -SOLD:(
-1986 Toyota pickup SAS on 35s -SOLD
-1985 4runner (first car) -SOLD

IVrunner [OP]

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #6 on: Oct 03, 2010, 11:13:32 AM »
cheap solution = get a working used one :greengrin: ...and hope it lasts
~Josh
-87 4Runner SR5 - SAS, 4.88's, 33 KM2s, Lockright front, elocker rear, frenched hangers, TG in front, 63’s in rear (DD)
-2010 4runner Trail (wife DD)
-2000 4runner 4WD manual Highlander -SOLD:(
-1986 Toyota pickup SAS on 35s -SOLD
-1985 4runner (first car) -SOLD

ccolby3

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #7 on: Oct 03, 2010, 02:22:54 PM »
What about a local yard or the Yotayard out of colorado?

jrock

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #8 on: Oct 03, 2010, 03:46:15 PM »
What years are compatible? I'm in the same situation.

IVrunner [OP]

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #9 on: Oct 03, 2010, 09:50:19 PM »
I'm not sure about the compatibility over the years. i think there are two main types - a 2 wire and a 3 wire.  The third wire is a low fuel indicator.  I would assume you can could still use it by just eliminating this wire if need be...granted the hole in the tank matches up.  There are also different depths depending on your tank size.  Hopefully someone that knows for sure can chime in.
~Josh
-87 4Runner SR5 - SAS, 4.88's, 33 KM2s, Lockright front, elocker rear, frenched hangers, TG in front, 63’s in rear (DD)
-2010 4runner Trail (wife DD)
-2000 4runner 4WD manual Highlander -SOLD:(
-1986 Toyota pickup SAS on 35s -SOLD
-1985 4runner (first car) -SOLD

BUDDERS

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Re: Fuel Sending Unit Fix??
« Reply #10 on: Oct 04, 2010, 11:47:23 AM »
I grabbed one froma 2wd tank and just changed over the float and arm it's attatched to to get the right depth for my tank.  The key is to find one with the same connectors as yours.
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