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Featured PRIUS C - TWO FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Katelyn Johnson, Aug 13, 2019.

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What should I do?

Poll closed Aug 20, 2019.
  1. Replace the Whole Fuel Pump Assembly

    1 vote(s)
    100.0%
  2. Replace only the Fuel Gauge Sending Unit

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Katelyn Johnson

    Katelyn Johnson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2019
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    Location:
    Brookfield
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Screen Shot 2019-08-13 at 3.03.50 PM.png I'm an owner of a 2013 Prius C - Two.

    I recently had my car break down and took it to a Toyota dealership. They told me that I had to replace the Fuel Gauge Sending Unit.

    They then quoted me over $1000 bill. I'm not comfortable with this considering when I looked up the cost of the part for the Fuel Gauge Sending Unit is was only $105. They told me that I should replace the whole Fuel Pump Assembly and the gasket which is $505 and $9.

    Is it required to replace the whole system or can just the Fuel Gauge Sending Unit be replaced??

    I don't understand having to replace the entire Fuel Pump Assembly.

    Thank you greatly!!! I appreciate it.
     
    #1 Katelyn Johnson, Aug 13, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,783
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    ask them for the trouble codes and post them here.

    how many miles on her? maybe you can get goodwill warranty help from toyota
     
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well, I'm not familiar with Prius C fuel system... But your car is of the age where the stealership is not going to be your friend and overcharge you at every turn. Assuming all these parts that are bad are inside the gas tank, I'd buy a used tank from an auto wrecker that includes the sending unit and is already sealed in the tank and then simply swap the tanks, or if you aren't a DIY type find an honest mechanic to do the swap... That's the starting point at least... You could also drive price down lower once you get a better sense of how easy it is to brake the seal, replace the sending unit and re-use the old seal.

    But first we need to figure if Toyota stealership diagnosed the problem correctly... Because they primarily do warranty work on newer cars, they tend to fix stuff by replacing expensive parts until the problem is solved rather than finding a least expensive fix like a loose wire or bad connection...
     
  4. AtkinsonCycle

    AtkinsonCycle Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2016
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    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Hello Katelyn,

    As some have stated, there is more detail needed in diagnosing your problem. If the dealership is telling you a new fuel gauge sending unit will fix your car, it seems odd. Normally, a fuel gauge sending unit simply provides a signal of the level in the tank to display on the dashboard. Sometimes miscommunication occurs between the service writer and the mechanic. I looked up fuel system components for your car (I have the same) and saw the entire fuel pump assembly costs (retail) $505.89. This is likely what your car needs. The fuel level sender is (retail) $105.
    Without knowing the symptoms of the breakdown, I'm guessing the internal combustion engine would not run. The dealership may have diagnosed it and saw that the fuel pump was not supplying pressure. I don't know, this is all a guess. Here is a breakdown of the fuel system components for your car from a Toyota dealer that offers discounts to anyone. I was a mechanic at a Toyota dealer and this one actually beat the discount I was offered as an employee! Here it is:

    Fuel System Components for 2013 Toyota Prius C | Conicelli Toyota of Conshohock

    If the entire fuel assembly needs to be replaced, you would need #10 and #12 shown in the diagram. On older cars and sometimes on cars where the environment is harsh (or if the mechanic isn't careful), the retainer can break. That is #11. That should be all you need if the pump is the culprit. So, $340.64 + $8.38 + $22.78 = $371.80. See if you can negotiate a better price on the parts. If you can't, maybe you could purchase the parts and find a shop with a decent reputation to perform the work.

    I hope this helps!