Gas Gauge Not Working

Rick Grahn · 02-05-2007, 08:24 PM

I left a message with my local Toyota service department...no response yet. Here is the deal...

Tank was 6/10 full (according to the dash light bar). Stopped, filled up tank (about 4.5 gallons) , drove away. The dash display (light bar) did not change. The MFD did not compeletely reset (showed MPG on bottom left, showed NOTHING on bottom right - where miles normally displays). I hit the MFD reset button and then the miles began showing up on the bottom right. Thinking I must have really screwed up, I stopped again and filled up again...it took about .25 of a gallon. Restarted. The dash light bar/gas gauge did not change, still showing 6 blips.

Could I have a bad sensor in the tank? Is there some other reset I need to try?

I have an '05 with 62,000 miles. I did by the 100,000 mile extended warrantee...hopefully this is covered.

galaxee · 02-06-2007, 09:51 AM

did the MFD reset to 0 miles when it started working again?

klevitsky · 02-06-2007, 10:37 AM

I believe the right side of the "Consumption" display will show nothing until you go 1 mile, since it does not display fractions of a mile (like the ODO does). The fact that the MFD "Miles" reset shows that the car knew that you put gas in. Let us know if the blips display changes.

Rick Grahn · 02-08-2007, 06:08 AM

The MFD did not reset to zero. It had nothing (not even a zero) in that location). Since this started showing up, I have filled the tank 4 times (every time I come home...just in case). The MFD does not reset, the dash is still stuck on 6 bars/blips. I have an appointment tomorrow morning for the car. My guess: bad sensor in the tank.

Other thoughts.

galaxee · 02-08-2007, 11:08 AM

strange that the first time you put over 3 in there it didn't reset. did this perchance happen on a non-level surface?

anything less than 3 won't get you any credit with the car though. provided we've got time to discuss (i'll admit this is not the case of late) i'll talk to DH about that tonight.

Rick Grahn · 02-09-2007, 06:31 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 8 2007, 11:08 AM) [snapback]386958[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

strange that the first time you put over 3 in there it didn't reset. did this perchance happen on a non-level surface?

anything less than 3 won't get you any credit with the car though. provided we've got time to discuss (i'll admit this is not the case of late) i'll talk to DH about that tonight.
[/b]

Regarding the non-level surface, if you are referring to when I filled it up (even the first time), I was at gas station...the ground was by observation level.

Interesting though...yesterday things started working fine again. I thought maybe it was the bitter cold affecting it but the outside temperature was -2F when it began working again.

Could something have been caught/covering the sensor? Would extreme cold cause the bladder to constrict in such a way to impede the function of the sensor? Is the sensor in the tank electronic or are their physical motion properties to it (ie. float balls, etc.)?

Sorry for so many questions.

FYI, after it started working I added a fuel cleaner to a tank full (those little red bottles at the gas station you can add to a tank to "clean the fuel system and remove water from the tank." I sure hope that does not damage anything.

Thanks for replying. This is so odd I think people believe I am crazy.

galaxee · 02-09-2007, 09:48 AM

well the first thing a tech would have done is recal the inclination meter, which can get screwed up by filling on a non-level surface. the sensor is a magnetic float. if something caught it, you've got bigger problems than a nonfunctional gauge!

since it works now, just keep an eye on it.

Rick Grahn · 02-09-2007, 06:37 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 9 2007, 09:48 AM) [snapback]387419[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

well the first thing a tech would have done is recal the inclination meter, which can get screwed up by filling on a non-level surface. the sensor is a magnetic float. if something caught it, you've got bigger problems than a nonfunctional gauge!

since it works now, just keep an eye on it.
[/b]

Will do!

galaxee · 02-09-2007, 11:14 PM

and just a note, don't add any more of that tank cleaner to your gas. it's probably fine after the one but with regular use who knows what'll mess up that bladder. it is touchy, as we all know well.

Rick Grahn · 02-10-2007, 11:18 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 9 2007, 11:14 PM) [snapback]387858[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

and just a note, don't add any more of that tank cleaner to your gas. it's probably fine after the one but with regular use who knows what'll mess up that bladder. it is touchy, as we all know well.
[/b]

Thank you. I appreciate the expert advice and will follow your recommendation(s).

02-05-2007, 08:24 PM	#1
Rick Grahn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 285 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I left a message with my local Toyota service department...no response yet. Here is the deal... Tank was 6/10 full (according to the dash light bar). Stopped, filled up tank (about 4.5 gallons) , drove away. The dash display (light bar) did not change. The MFD did not compeletely reset (showed MPG on bottom left, showed NOTHING on bottom right - where miles normally displays). I hit the MFD reset button and then the miles began showing up on the bottom right. Thinking I must have really screwed up, I stopped again and filled up again...it took about .25 of a gallon. Restarted. The dash light bar/gas gauge did not change, still showing 6 blips. Could I have a bad sensor in the tank? Is there some other reset I need to try? I have an '05 with 62,000 miles. I did by the 100,000 mile extended warrantee...hopefully this is covered. __________________ Rick '05 Salsa Red, >125,000 miles and going strong

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02-06-2007, 09:51 AM	#2
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	did the MFD reset to 0 miles when it started working again?

02-06-2007, 10:37 AM	#3
klevitsky Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 33 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I believe the right side of the "Consumption" display will show nothing until you go 1 mile, since it does not display fractions of a mile (like the ODO does). The fact that the MFD "Miles" reset shows that the car knew that you put gas in. Let us know if the blips display changes.

02-08-2007, 06:08 AM	#4
Rick Grahn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 285 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The MFD did not reset to zero. It had nothing (not even a zero) in that location). Since this started showing up, I have filled the tank 4 times (every time I come home...just in case). The MFD does not reset, the dash is still stuck on 6 bars/blips. I have an appointment tomorrow morning for the car. My guess: bad sensor in the tank. Other thoughts.

02-08-2007, 11:08 AM	#5
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	strange that the first time you put over 3 in there it didn't reset. did this perchance happen on a non-level surface? anything less than 3 won't get you any credit with the car though. provided we've got time to discuss (i'll admit this is not the case of late) i'll talk to DH about that tonight.

02-09-2007, 09:48 AM	#7
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	well the first thing a tech would have done is recal the inclination meter, which can get screwed up by filling on a non-level surface. the sensor is a magnetic float. if something caught it, you've got bigger problems than a nonfunctional gauge! since it works now, just keep an eye on it.

02-09-2007, 11:14 PM	#9
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	and just a note, don't add any more of that tank cleaner to your gas. it's probably fine after the one but with regular use who knows what'll mess up that bladder. it is touchy, as we all know well.