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Fluctuating fuel gauge readings

Tiny
SLEHMAN81
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 125,000 MILES
I have a 2004 2wd Toyota rav4, and recently my fuel gauge hasn't been cooperating. When I start my car up I can register a 1/2 tank. I will stop at the store, come out and start my car again and gauge will read between 1/4 and 1/2 tank. As I drive the gauge will slowly move up towards 1/2 tank line. I took it to my local Toyota dealer, and they said this was normal. Do I need to check my fuel sender? If so, what am I looking for? Thank you for any assistance
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:23 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
When you have a full tank what happens?Does it ever read empty then pop up to 1/8 of a tank or higher?
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:33 AM
Tiny
SLEHMAN81
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
When I fill up, the gauge will read full. I've never let it get too low.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:38 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
It can bounce around a little the gauge I mean. But if it bounces around too much then I would be worried.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:41 AM
Tiny
SLEHMAN81
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
So its normal for it jump around, not drastically, but max like a 1/4 tank?
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:45 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
It shouldnt move a 1/4 of a tank fluction thats not normal.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:51 AM
Tiny
SLEHMAN81
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Would the fuel sender be the culprit?
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:52 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Most likely the fuel destroys them plus they wear out over time. But without testing it cant tell you for sure. But I have replaced more fuel sending units then anything for gas gauges issues.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 12:56 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
This should be more of a gauge than a sending unit issue. The needle is supposed to stay where it is when ignition is turned off but in this case it seems to have moved towards the empty direction.

The gauge moving back to where it is and operating normally when ignition is turned on or while engine is running indicates so.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 4:51 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
He said it slowly moves from a 1/4 to 1/2 while driving that sounds more like a sending unit then a gauge. But like I said before you would have to do some testing. The sending unit fails way more then any gauges I have seen fail.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 4:59 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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For this gauge, the needle needs time to move up. If you top up the tank and turn the ignition switch on, it would take 10 seconds or more for it to reach the max position.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 5:02 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Wow low tech even my 1999 saturn has a pluse with modulated sending unit. When I fill my tank or turn my car on the gauge instantly reads the correct level but my fuel gauge drops to empty when I turn the car off.I would still do some testing unless that gauge has a really high failure rate iam unaware of I still think its most likley the sending unit.I have replaced tons if sendings for fuel gauge issues.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 5:08 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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  • 41,815 POSTS
This system is used mostly by Toyota. Honda is similar but it reacts faster.

Bottom line is if the gauge is showing the correct reading when engine is running, there is nothing to worry about.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 5:13 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Bang on the fuel tank with a rubber hammer listen for a loose baffle in the tank.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012 AT 5:29 AM

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