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Fuel Gauge not going down?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by hachibanramen, Jul 9, 2013.

  1. hachibanramen

    hachibanramen New Member

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    Recently refueled my 2008 prius to full...for some reason when pumping it didn't register as full tank and overflowed. It's driving fine. Have put roughly 100 miles on it since filling up and gas gauge still isn't changing. It shows me as having a full tank...any thoughts on why? Fuel gauge doesbt go down :'( thanks! It is certified and Ihave one year warranty on it...just dodon't want to bringit in uunless I know it's a genuine problem. Thanks!
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    This is normal. When you overfilled the tank, that resulted in 1-2 gallons of extra fuel being added above the point where the gas pump normally would shut off. I would guess that you will start to see the fuel gauge bars decline from 10 to 9 after another 100 miles or less.
     
  3. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Yep, it's possible that you'll see up to 200 miles before the first pip drops. But don't worry it will happen!
     
  4. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

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    I once took a trip in my Prius and thought the same thing! I filled up before leaving and drove 185 miles (almost to my destination) and the fuel gauge still registered full! I immediately thought something was wrong with my gauge. At 186 miles the gauge registered 1 pip below full! What an amazing vehicle!
     
  5. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Found this PDF for MALFUNCTION IN FUEL RECEIVER GAUGE - for future reference.
     

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  6. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Seriously, about one person a month comes here and thinking that their fuel gauge is broken just because they managed to get that extra couple of gallons in there and it takes a while for the top pip to drop.

    I don't have the tank bladder here, so I manage to get 12 gallons in there every fill. So the top pip is equivalent to 3 regular pips for me every time.
     
  7. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Care to elaborate how you don't have a tank bladder?
     
  8. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    The tank bladder is only installed in the North American model prius. Australia, UK, Europe and Japan etc don't have them.
     
  9. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Didn't know that! Wonder how much trouble it would be to get one and install it...
     
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Depends upon if you care that your check engine light will remain permanently on if you disconnect the emissions equipment associated with the North American fuel tank.
     
  11. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

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    Do we know what code is thrown?
     
  12. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    In the summer it takes about 150 miles for my gas gauge to drop from completely full so give it a while longer before worrying.
     
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Well, it would probably be one or more of the following: P0441, P0442, P0446, P0451, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0456. These relate to problems with the Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge Flow or Vent Control Circuit, Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected, and Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor/Switch.

    If you care to learn more, I suggest you subscribe to techinfo.toyota.com so that you can access the repair manual info, see the complexity of the North America 2G Prius fuel tank (and recognize the engine ECU has the ability to monitor the fuel tank sensor monitoring the vapor space between the flexible bladder and the tank exterior shell) and consider what will happen if another tank lacking the bladder and sensor is substituted in its place.
     
  14. hachibanramen

    hachibanramen New Member

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    At 230+ miles and still says full. How large is the bladder?
     
  15. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    I don't know how large the bladder is but the tank is 11.9 gals.
     
  16. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    What is your tank mileage according to the MFD? You could use that to guesstimate how much gas you've used to keep from running dry.