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Gas gauge going down fast after filling

Tiny
RYANG37
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 46,000 MILES
After I put in gas and filled it to half a tank, the gas gauge went down to empty in just over an hour of continuous driving. I filled it to half a tank again and drove for 30 min. And it went down almost to a quarter of a tank and it usually barely moved after 30 min. Is the gauge off? I see no gas leaks.

I had filled it up to a half a tank again according to the gas gauge and right after five min of driving the gas gauge already started going down and it never does that fast. I looked under the car and under the hood and I do not see or smell any gas. And no, kids cant steal my gas because I have a lock on the gas fill door.

Oh and no I have not done any modifications and yes the check engine light is on but that has been on because I am overdue for an oil change.

Thank you for your help! Oh and yes with new Toyota a check engine light will come on when all you need is an oil change its crazy.
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Sunday, May 26th, 2013 AT 6:51 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Hey Ryan,

It sounds like you have a fuel level sender that is going bad. This bad connection can cause the fuel gauge to do all kinds of weird stuff. You can get to the float and fuel pump by removing the back seat.

Here is a fuel gauge wiring diagram so you can see how the system works. (below) I would also try unplugging the cluster and plugging it in again this will help clean the connections at the cluster.

The problem of gas consumption could be attributed to a mass air flow sensor that has gone out of range and needs replacing. This kind of problem with not turn the check engine light on. Here is a guide on how to replace it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-mass-air-flow-sensor-maf

If it is a gas gauge problem, in others words and gauge goes down but when you fill it up it does take very much then the problems is most likely the sender in the tank has gone out and needs replacement.

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
DROOPYFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
1991 Toyota Camry Fuel Guage shows Full all the time, what could be the problem, sometimes it will work briefly then go back to full
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 AT 3:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the fuel sending unit in the fuel tank
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 AT 3:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARGRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 36,000 MILES
No matter where I fill up, my guage only reads 3/4 full. My projected mileage is 400+ miles as opposed to 550+. I can hear the gas at the top of the tank if I try and squeeze a bit more in.
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 AT 3:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It may be the sender is going bad or float problem have a pro check to see if voltage going to it is correct
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 AT 3:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALFREDM8702
  • MEMBER
  • 109 POSTS
  • 2011 TOYOTA CAMRY
Gas gauge does not read properly always on full what could be the problem?
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 1:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Sounds like the sender unit has failed. It is in the tank and part of the fuel pump assembly

Roy
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 1:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOEBEECO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
If your car is not starting properly what is the cause
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 1:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PWB42
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
Electrical problem
1999 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 56000 miles

All gauges as well as he Tach and Speedometer
have quit working except for the fuel gauge.
The only "test" light that comes on when the key is turned on is the airbag indicator.
Also the transmission hangs and will not shift out of low for a long time. Once it does finally shift it shifts normally until next re-start. AThe battery was recently changed. (3 dats ago)
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 1:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Run a scan and let me know what codes you have, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 1:24 PM (Merged)

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