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Low gas light with half a tank

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Truman861, Jul 29, 2017.

  1. Jul 29, 2017 at 6:58 PM
    #1
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    Good Evening All
    First time post, just came across the site tonight.
    I have a 2016 Base Tundra I believe its called an SR5 - not sure. I have had it since April 2016, now has just under 12k miles - I don't do a lot of driving as I have a nice job that lets me work from home
    I stopped by the grocery store tonight, started it up and had a low fuel warning in the middle of the dash. Noticed it at the end of the parking lot so I stopped, turned the truck off and started it back up. - same thing. I looked at the gas gauge though and it showed half a tank.
    I continued to drive home, less than 3 miles and when I was almost home, the center screen changed to 156 miles distance to empty.

    I have saved every gas receipt (why I don't know) but I never let the truck get less than a quarter tank, the lowest it has ever gotten is 90 miles to empty. I know because I aim to fill it every time around 100 left to go and I always mark things like mileage and distance to empty, how many miles I drove since last fill up etc.

    I'm baffled, cant find anything online but being it has its bumper to bumper warranty, its going to the dealership first thing in the morning and getting looked at.

    Just wondered if anyone had any ideas ?

    Thanks for any help guys

    gas light.jpg
     
  2. Jul 29, 2017 at 7:02 PM
    #2
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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  3. Jul 29, 2017 at 7:05 PM
    #3
    Filthy13

    Filthy13 New Member

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    Welcome from NorCal. Could be a faulty light. I'd have it looked at assuming you're still under warranty
     
  4. Jul 29, 2017 at 7:07 PM
    #4
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    yes, its only 15 months old and 11k miles. going to the shop tomorrow and better be under warranty
    Thanks for the welcome from both of you.

    Will be sure to post a reply once I hear from the dealership and have it looked at. Wondered if anyone had any ideas though
     
  5. Jul 30, 2017 at 8:30 AM
    #5
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    So they did a full electrical diagnostics and were not able to replicate the warning :-(
    Because it's Sunday, no one is here that they need to open a tech ticket and call Toyota.
    So basically, I'm bringing the truck home today, coming back tomorrow night to drop it off and get a rental while they work on it Tuesday.
    Not exactly happy but at least it's all under warranty.
     
    f86sabjf and 4x4_Angel like this.
  6. Jul 30, 2017 at 4:56 PM
    #6
    HUTCHJ

    HUTCHJ I can ride my bike with no handlebars

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    That sucks. I'm sure they'll get it taken care of. Good luck. Welcome man.
     
  7. Jul 30, 2017 at 5:00 PM
    #7
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    2"CB shackles, bushings and 1 shim, lockerdown console vault, rear folding seat back mod, snugtop shell with opening side windows, 46g fuel tank, SDHQ sliders and hidden winch, Decked Drawers, Alcan leaf springs and got rid of the interior chrome
    I've never heard of this. Please post what you learn and how it turns out.

    And welcome aboard from AZ!
     
  8. Jul 30, 2017 at 5:03 PM
    #8
    BlueFalconActual

    BlueFalconActual Field Day Inspector Extraordinaire

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    I would just try to disconnect the battery for a half hour and reconnect it to see if it will clear it. :notsure:
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  9. Jul 30, 2017 at 6:22 PM
    #9
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    The tech said he suspects a bad sending unit but until they can get a tech case opened on Tuesday morning, he won't know for sure. It did clear itself after about 2 miles or so driving and then did it again for 30 secs or so on a drive after that so it's intermittent to say the least but the tech was unable to recreate it. They will do a full work up and will see how it goes. Thanks for the warm welcome all.
     
  10. Jul 31, 2017 at 11:33 AM
    #10
    xj2202009

    xj2202009 New Member

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    Lutz, Fl
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    looking to replace factory Radio with a pioneer avix588bhs
    Welcome from sunny FL.. More harm is caused by not fueling near empty than at a 1/4 tank..case scenario..26 gallon tank and you fuel once a month @ 1/4 tank full, you are cycling at least 6 gallons of old gas month to month..ethanol attracts water and water in the fuel turns into rust..my two cents would be burn off as much of that gas as possible, fill up to a 1/4 tank for the next two or three times to rid of that bad gas. Can someone here advice if seafoam could be used on a tundra?
     
  11. Aug 1, 2017 at 3:53 PM
    #11
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    So the latest news, I just spoke with the dealership who advised they worked on it this morning and are still running tests. Basically, they still don't know and will continue with more tests tomorrow.

    For right now I'm in a rental, granted it's a 2016 Corolla that is nasty stained on all the seats and an engine with 42k miles and sounds horrible and tired but I'm not paying for it so I won't complain.
     
  12. Aug 1, 2017 at 4:36 PM
    #12
    HUTCHJ

    HUTCHJ I can ride my bike with no handlebars

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    That stinks. When I took my tundra in for the recall they stuck me in a hyundai elanta (?) whatever their little hatchback thing was. (it was through enterprise.)

    I remember when dealers would give you a rental that was equal to what you drove. It's only fair, tbh.
     
    4x4_Angel likes this.
  13. Aug 2, 2017 at 2:59 PM
    #13
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    So, I heard from the senior tech at lunchtime. He is telling me they sent the picture and what not to the senior engineers over at Toyota, talked with them about the sending unit and didn't get a whole lot from them.
    Then he's telling me they pulled another truck off the lot, tested it and did the same thing.
    Basically he told me the other truck did it as well and can do so even with a half tank and is depending on driving, for example if getting a very low mpg, the system can issue that warning.
    So in other words I would have had to be getting TWO miles to the gallon with thirteen gallons left in the tank.
    I feel it's a cop out, that they have no idea what's wrong and I'm not happy. I plan on saying something when I pick the truck up.
     
  14. Aug 2, 2017 at 3:26 PM
    #14
    xj2202009

    xj2202009 New Member

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    looking to replace factory Radio with a pioneer avix588bhs
    That's bs..doesn't the fuel tank have to be dropped to take the su out. Then they gonna do that to a brand new truck..yeah right..they tested the old one in a new truck, what did they get when they test the one from the new truck in your truck, they already had both of them out. demand a new sending unit sensor..or the syntax code of where the computer is program to do that..
     
    JH5370 and Truman861[OP] like this.
  15. Aug 2, 2017 at 3:29 PM
    #15
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Yeah, sounds like BS. What did your MPG's read on your computer when you dropped it off? Like you said, it would have to be like 2mpg's for that to happen.
     
    Truman861[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  16. Aug 2, 2017 at 3:32 PM
    #16
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    Oh trust me, I'm not giving up without a fight. They will be aware of the problems and if they do nothing then I will reach out to Toyota corporate as I agree it is bull.
     
    NewImprovedRon and xj2202009 like this.
  17. Aug 2, 2017 at 3:33 PM
    #17
    xj2202009

    xj2202009 New Member

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    looking to replace factory Radio with a pioneer avix588bhs
    How would one get 2mpg..turn the truck on, walk away and come back when empty..I tow a 6k trailer at 70 to 80 mph and I still get around 13 mpg..
     
    4x4_Angel likes this.
  18. Sep 15, 2017 at 9:36 AM
    #18
    motorswin

    motorswin Back the blue

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    What ever happened with this? I'm having the same issue.
     
  19. Sep 15, 2017 at 3:08 PM
    #19
    Truman861

    Truman861 [OP] New Member

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    I was never able to get anywhere with the senior tech but they had the truck for 2 days. I think they swapped out the fuel pump but they didn't put it down on paper as that would be admitting there was a problem which they wouldn't do for fear of creating a recall.
    Hasn't happened since but it is very well documented with the dealership so if it ever happens again, it's on record.
    I know this doesn't help but best of luck to you.
     
  20. Sep 15, 2017 at 3:29 PM
    #20
    Coolhardy

    Coolhardy New Member

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    I drive 70 to 80 mph and I still get around 11 mpg....
    The only thing I haul is myself on driver seat and that's 185lb w single digit fat.
     
  21. Sep 15, 2017 at 6:17 PM
    #21
    motorswin

    motorswin Back the blue

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    mine reset after about 20min of driving. I read somewhere these trucks need to "warm" up and the ecu will reset or something like that...I don't really know but it's fine now haha
     

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