[Smurfherder]

Ok so I have a 2003 Tundra 4.7 access cab bone stock and have been having an issue with the fuel gauge for the past year or so. At about 35-45 miles into a fresh tank of gas the gauge will bounce all the way down past empty and generally just all over the place for about ten miles and then stabilize back to where it should be. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem? Thanks

 

[beewerks]

Have this same problem at the same mileage on my Dad's '03 4.7. It's got 73,000 miles on it right now. From what I've read the fuel sender in the gas tank is bad but it's about $160 for the part and you have to remove the fuel tank, or remove the bed to get to it.

 

[2003bajatundra4x4ac]

it's a known gremlin. i have it occasionally also. the first time i noticed it was after dark about 100 miles south of the border on the way home. i stopped and looked underneath and there was a puddle forming!!! after a quick taste i realized it was condensation from the AC. DUH!

since i track every tank full of gas all i have to do is look at the trip ODO and then be entertained by the dancing needle....

 

[apimpdad]

I have had this problem with my 02 also. It started doing it and continued to do it off and on for about a year or so. It hasn't done it since in about a year and a half, guess it kind of just fixed itself.

 

[Delatorre805]

I have the same issuse with my 03. But mine will stay at empty till I actually have a 1/4 of a tank.

 

[oofy15354]

its a problem with carbon building up on the sensors of the sending unit in the tank. they way it works is there is a float that rises and falls with the level of gas in the tank. this is attached to a potentiometer (a variable resistor) that will send a different voltage depending on where the float is. As carbon builds up on this, it will block the voltage at certain points which the computer will interpret as an empty tank until the level gets to a point where the voltage can transmit.

it happens to me when im just under a full tank. fortunately and unfortunately, i havent had a full tank in a while...

 

[Smurfherder]

Thanks guys, glad to know I am not the only one with this issue. I thought it was kind of funny how it would only happen at a certain time, and since I always track my miles as well I would look for it coming, kind of entertaining actually.

 

[italiantundra88]

Mine does the same thing just not as drastic. 30-40 miles after fill up it will drop below 3/4 a tank for a bout 10 sec than back up to full or just under full

 

[oofy15354]

its interesting to see that it usually happens at around the same point in the tank drain cycle. seems to point to a design flaw to me. mines 10 years and 100k old so I'd say its served its purpose. It's spot on every where else though! takes me just about 11 gallons from the halfway mark

 

[italiantundra88]

its interesting to see that it usually happens at around the same point in the tank drain cycle. seems to point to a design flaw to me. mines 10 years and 100k old so I'd say its served its purpose. It's spot on every where else though! takes me just about 11 gallons from the halfway mark

another thing i notice is that i get 150-200 miles to half a tank but 100-120 miles from half to empty.

 

[Smurfherder]

Yes, the same thing happens with mine too..

 

[Bassinelwood]

Mine has started doing this also......not really entertained by it but it good to know the cause. It does not do it very often but I was shocked to look down and the tank was empty when I was over 40 miles from a gas station with the boat on the back. I had to think hard about when I actually filled up. I moved the truck and it popped back up to 3/4 tank. It has done it a few times since then.

 

[Richard Collier]

Any factory guys want to comment on this.

 

[5 Speed]

My truck has been doing this for more than the past 11 years when I first noticed it. It can fall from full to sometimes 1/4 and then slowly bounce back. No pattern, it just happens.