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Is this the Goofy Gas Gauge (12 V issue), or something else?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Woodstock74, Sep 7, 2023.

  1. Woodstock74

    Woodstock74 Junior Member

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    Charlotte, NC
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    2008 Prius
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    N/A
    So I've read up on the Goofy Gas Gauge issue, which seems to signal issues with the 12V, and the only nuance to my issue is that it occurred while I was driving the car. Was driving in high heat (95F) when I noticed my gas gauge, which had been reading minus 3-pips from full, was now reading full. The 'distance' on the multifunction display also reset. This seemed to occur some time during a 10 minute period where I found myself in construction traffic and stopped waiting on a flagman to flag us forward, and about 1/4 of the way into a 35 minute trip. Is this of any importance inasmuch as it seemed most people cited noticing the gas gauge issue after cycling the car on then off? I've only had the car for about a year and have never been able to get more than about 8 gallons in. Well, more accurately, I've never been comfortable with the gas gauge and always immediately fill up when the last pip starts to flash and around 8 (+ or - .5 gallon) is what goes in.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    It's the reset of the distance that is of interest to me because when that happens that's messing with your gas gauge or your mileage somewhat also this is a generation 2 I don't know how long you've had it I know that when I first got one of mine I had the same 8 and 1/2 gallon situation it's an 11 gallon car and I run the thing down until it's flashing and then go 30 miles to try and get pretty much everything out of the tank if you will and then when I go to the station when I first got the car I started filling it up till it burps the gas jumps out at me then from that point I feel it real slow until I get like 10 and 1/2 10.9 whatever gallons in it so when I turn off the pump I can still see the fuel in l in the filler neck. That's right at 10.8 10.9 gallons Cap it off and go and I've been filling it like that since I got the car now I can pull up to the pump in sheets drop the blue fuel in on top click It shuts off at about 8.8 gallons and then I fill it at about half squeeze right up to about 10.8 10.9. so basically I've stretched that bladder back out I believe everybody tries to keep these things barely full and wait until they're all the time completely empty to fill up so on and so forth so the bladder is not getting or staying stretched I cycle through a tank of gas so quickly and then fill it right back up immediately stretching that bladder all the way as far as I can and it seems to have made a difference now I can feel it a lot faster and get it right up to the 10.8 alongside of a BMW or whatever not having to nurse in 8.5 gallons and then seemingly can't get any more in now I can get close to the 11.1 that's rated for.
     
  3. Woodstock74

    Woodstock74 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2022
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    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
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    2008 Prius
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    N/A
    Follow up to this morning. Still only showing one-pip down from full, so no Gas Gauge Goofiness overnight.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    might be a bladder issue