Windsheild washer fluid light is on...

Toyotal 4Runner, 1999, SR5-V6

My windsheild light is always on, even when the reserviour is
full. I talked to the dealer, and they want $45 to look at it.

I am just wandering whether that is something I can do myself.
Or has anybody done it themselves and how hard or easy it is.

Also, I am getting less than 200 miles per full tank. Can my O2 sensor is busted? any other posibilities?

Thanks,
Chandana

If your 02 sensor is busted, go straight to Toyota, but it, and install it yourself. Cause I had to change mine recently and they charged me $100 extra for labor. Its so easy, it just bolts on. But the sensor shouldn't be changed for a 99'. Also go check the gaskets on the muffler.

For the washer, check to see if the switch float is free to move up and down. If so, check continuity of terminals 3 and 6.

Looking at the float connection with the clip down, terminals 3 and 6 are in the left-most position.

Should be continuity with float down and no continuity with float up. If not, replace the switch.

For the low gas mileage, is this something new or is it normal for your truck? Is your "Check Engine" light on?

If the "Check Engine" light is on, get codes from the computer by going to a car parts store that offers this service.

Normally, if your O2 sensor is bad, it will trigger a fault code and the light will come on. The computer watches for abnormal signals from the sensors.

If this occurance is new and there is no "check engine" light on, check air filter, ignition timing, low tire pressure, check fuel connections for leaks. When is the last time you changed your spark plugs?

Some 3rd generation 4Runners had malfunctioning fuel gauges. You ended up filling your tank when there was still a lot of gas left in the tank. What is your mileage as measured by your odometer (not your trip odometer) or by highway markers? How many gallons of fuel can you put in your tank when the fuel gauge says empty?

Brian,

Thank you very much for the reply. These are my comments []

For the washer, check to see if the switch float is free to move up and down. If so, check continuity of terminals 3 and 6.

[I removed the little filter on top of the reserviour. Now I see a rectangular shaped reding spong looking floater. I will try to move it by hand. Should I remove the white plastic "nozzle" from the washer fluide tank?]


Looking at the float connection with the clip down, terminals 3 and 6 are in the left-most position.

Should be continuity with float down and no continuity with float up. If not, replace the switch.

[Where can I find it? Should I remove the white nozzle? Please pardon me for my limited knowledge...]

For the low gas mileage, is this something new or is it normal for your truck? Is your "Check Engine" light on?

[Check engine light is NOT on. I used to get at least 20% more. (I think.) Isn't getting 200 miles per full tank is normal for 4Runner?)

If the "Check Engine" light is on, get codes from the computer by going to a car parts store that offers this service.

Normally, if your O2 sensor is bad, it will trigger a fault code and the light will come on. The computer watches for abnormal signals from the sensors.

[There is no engine light on...]

If this occurance is new and there is no "check engine" light on, check air filter, ignition timing, low tire pressure, check fuel connections for leaks. When is the last time you changed your spark plugs?

[ Okay. I will check the air filter. How do I check fuel connectors for leaks? Any test you can suggest?]


Some 3rd generation 4Runners had malfunctioning fuel gauges. You ended up filling your tank when there was still a lot of gas left in the tank. What is your mileage as measured by your odometer (not your trip odometer) or by highway markers? How many gallons of fuel can you put in your tank when the fuel gauge says empty?

[ I measured mileage using trip odometer. I would say 46 liters (Canadian) can put in when fuel light become on...]

Thanks again,
Chandana

"I removed the little filter on top of the reserviour. Now I see a rectangular shaped reding spong looking floater. I will try to move it by hand. Should I remove the white plastic "nozzle" from the washer fluide tank."

Test the float by removing some fluid and see if it goes down and then add fluid and see if it comes back to the top of it's travel. Since your light is coming on, the only possibly problem with the float would be if it binds so that it can't get off the position at the bottom of its travel. It signals the warning light when it is near the bottom of its travel somewhere. Make sure it is free to move up and down as far as it's supposed to.

"Where can I find it? Should I remove the white nozzle? Please pardon me for my limited knowledge..."

The float connection should be external to either the tank or the neck of the tank with a wire/connecter hooked to it. Disconnect this connection and test the terminals on the float side. Check to see if you still have the problem after you reconnect these connectors. Your problem might just be a bad connection and you fixed it by clicking them back together.

"Check engine light is NOT on. I used to get at least 20% more. (I think.) Isn't getting 200 miles per full tank is normal for 4Runner?"

If you are putting 46 L (12 gal) into your tank each fill and you get 200 miles/tank, that comes out to 16.4 mpg. That is really close to normal for mostly city driving and some highway. Not as good as some, but not really strange. Alot depends on where you drive and how you drive. If you drive almost all level highway, I would say that is low. With that in mind, is your mileage abnormal? What kind of driving do you do in the 4Runner on what kind of speeds and hills? Do you push hard on the accelerator or do you take it real easy?

"Okay. I will check the air filter. How do I check fuel connectors for leaks? Any test you can suggest?"

Don't bother with the fuel system leak check. You are not that far off. That would be a worry if you were getting 10 mpg or worse. Air filter should be clean enough to see light through.

You can also try putting some Chevron Techron gas treatment in your next tank of gas before you fill the tank. If you can't find that brand, get a recommendation from someone for a brand you can find in a parts store. Make sure it's fuel injector cleaner.

"I removed the little filter on top of the reserviour. Now I see a rectangular shaped reding spong looking floater. I will try to move it by hand. Should I remove the white plastic "nozzle" from the washer fluide tank."

Test the float by removing some fluid and see if it goes down and then add fluid and see if it comes back to the top of it's travel. Since your light is coming on, the only possibly problem with the float would be if it binds so that it can't get off the position at the bottom of its travel. It signals the warning light when it is near the bottom of its travel somewhere. Make sure it is free to move up and down as far as it's supposed to.

"Where can I find it? Should I remove the white nozzle? Please pardon me for my limited knowledge..."

The float connection should be external to either the tank or the neck of the tank with a wire/connecter hooked to it. Disconnect this connection and test the terminals on the float side. Check to see if you still have the problem after you reconnect these connectors. Your problem might just be a bad connection and you fixed it by clicking them back together.

"Check engine light is NOT on. I used to get at least 20% more. (I think.) Isn't getting 200 miles per full tank is normal for 4Runner?"

If you are putting 46 L (12 gal) into your tank each fill and you get 200 miles/tank, that comes out to 16.4 mpg. That is really close to normal for mostly city driving and some highway. Not as good as some, but not really strange. Alot depends on where you drive and how you drive. If you drive almost all level highway, I would say that is low. With that in mind, is your mileage abnormal? What kind of driving do you do in the 4Runner on what kind of speeds and hills? Do you push hard on the accelerator or do you take it real easy?

"Okay. I will check the air filter. How do I check fuel connectors for leaks? Any test you can suggest?"

Don't bother with the fuel system leak check. You are not that far off. That would be a worry if you were getting 10 mpg or worse. Air filter should be clean enough to see light through.

You can also try putting some Chevron Techron gas treatment in your next tank of gas before you fill the tank. If you can't find that brand, get a recommendation from someone for a brand you can find in a parts store. Make sure it's fuel injector cleaner.


Thanks again. I did some googling about mileage, as you said, my 4Runner is not too far off. Your help and time is much appreciated.

Chandana

I think the "gas tank low" warning light is meant to give you alot of warning before you run out of gas. I have never run out with my 4Runner, but I suspect I will push it some day and find there's a long time before you run out.

You're welcome

I heard somewhere along the way that when the "low fuel" indidcator light turns on, you have roughly 2 gallons left. If you make the calculations, you should get at least 30 miles before you run out of gas. I think I got somewhere close to 40 miles from the point whe the light turned on.
I guess if you really wanted to find out, carry spare gas and run out on purpose.

Dont Run out on purpose you may burn up fuel pump and fuel injectors

Or you could fill up your tank immediatley after your gas light comes on and see how many gallons it takes to fill up. Then subract that number from the maximum capacity of your tank. You will then find out how many gallons[liters] of fuel you have when the gas light comes on.

I don't think using subtraction is a really sure way of calculating tank reserve. In doing this, you are assuming your available gas is what is in your specifications.

That is the volume of your fuel tank when it was new. This could be changed by water, sediment, damage to the tank. Also, under the best of circumstances, the fuel pick-up probably can't get all the gasoline out of the tank. This too can be altered, most likely for the worst.

You are making too many assumptions when doing this to give yourself a realistic number. If it is just a guess, well that's fine. If you really need to know, the only way is to find out.