screwy gas gauge on '97 LSS

[dynamic88]

The gas gauge on my '97 LSS has a mind of its own. When I top off the tank, it usually sits dead on empty. After I drive 15 or 20 miles, it reads points to "full" and will go down normally for the next 100 miles or so (until the tank is roughly half empty). From that point on, there's no telling what it's going to do. One minute it will show half a tank, the next time I look, it'll be above three-fourths, then down to just above one fourth, then back up again, but never below one fourth. What's wrong with this thing and would it be difficult to fix? Or should I just continue to reset the trip odometer whenever I fill up and start looking for a gas station whenever I approach the 300 mile mark?

[DANPLSS]

Originally Posted by dynamic88

The gas gauge on my '97 LSS has a mind of its own. When I top off the tank, it usually sits dead on empty. After I drive 15 or 20 miles, it reads points to "full" and will go down normally for the next 100 miles or so (until the tank is roughly half empty). From that point on, there's no telling what it's going to do. One minute it will show half a tank, the next time I look, it'll be above three-fourths, then down to just above one fourth, then back up again, but never below one fourth. What's wrong with this thing and would it be difficult to fix? Or should I just continue to reset the trip odometer whenever I fill up and start looking for a gas station whenever I approach the 300 mile mark?

Brought home a non S/C '97 LSS last week. Car was owned by a little old lady who drove it less than 7,000 miles per year. Gas tank was empty and it seemed the car was not used recently. Gas guage completely has a mind of it's own - does the exact same thing yours does. Found a service bulitin on how to change the sensor, but it involves dropping the tank - no access under seat. Have not decided whether I'm going to have the dealer I bought it from check on it while it is warrenteed (it's a Toyota dealer and I don't know if I want them touching my LSS). Believe it or not, I changed the fuel filter and PCV Valve and the gage is working a little more consistantly.

[diesel1962]

Hello! I have the same problem with my 94 88 Royal.It will get around 1/4 reading on fuel gauge,And will run out of gas!!At fires I thought the fuel pump was going out,Then I got to talking with the guys at the shop where I work at,One suggested the gas gauge may be off,So I went and got a five gallon gas can and filled it up,Took it home dumped it into the tank and car ran fine.Fuel sender must be whacky,I do not know why this would happen overnight,But it did.After I put five gallons into car,Fuel gauge went up to almost 3/4 full!!So every time I put gas onto car,I just reset the trip odometer.I am not pulling fuel tank until fuel pump fails.I did use a fuel pressure gauge at the fuel rail,And it showed 38-45 psi,So I know the pump was not at fault.Interesting to know that I am not the onily one to have experenced this problem..Have a good day!!Diesel 1962

[DANPLSS]

[quote=diesel1962]Hello! I have the same problem with my 94 88 Royal.It will get around 1/4 reading on fuel gauge,And will run out of gas!!At fires I thought the fuel pump was going out,Then I got to talking with the guys at the shop where I work at,One suggested the gas gauge may be off,So I went and got a five gallon gas can and filled it up,Took it home dumped it into the tank and car ran fine.Fuel sender must be whacky,I do not know why this would happen overnight,But it did.After I put five gallons into car,Fuel gauge went up to almost 3/4 full!!So every time I put gas onto car,I just reset the trip odometer.I am not pulling fuel tank until fuel pump fails.I did use a fuel pressure gauge at the fuel rail,And it showed 38-45 psi,So I know the pump was not at fault.Interesting to know that I am not the onily one to have experenced this problem..Have a good day!!Diesel 1962[/QUOTBy a little more consistant, it still goes to dead full even when the tank is more than half empty - then it goes back to 1/2, then to full. I'm resetting my trip odometer as well.

[ahernbrode]

Do you know where that service bulletin is located?