Stuck fuel gauge - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

snowflake · 03-31-2011, 01:12 PM

I have a 2006 Corolla CE w/ auto, nearly 88k miles on the odo. This past weekend I filled up the gas tank with the pump on low speed. The pump did not shut off so for the 1st time my car's gas tank overfilled. ...and now my gas gauge is stuck showing the tank to be overfull eventhough my trip odo shows 110 miles. My dad thinks the float in the tank is stuck so we put roughly 10oz Marvel Mystery Oil in the tank, shook it up real good, and then I shook the car while driving (repeatedly accelerating and slamming on the brakes) inside the neighborhood (while watching for people and other cars). It seemed to loosen up just a little bit. This morning the gauge was still showing overfull. Anybody have any ideas about how to resolve this without going to the dealer or replacing the fuel pump (assuming the it and the float are a single unit)?

mikered30 · 03-31-2011, 04:39 PM

Try Techron Concentrate Plus (not the weaker versions of Techron). It should be added to the tank with about 1/4 of a tank left, so you will have to estimate it. The tank may still be full even though the tank holds 13.2 gal, it can hold at least 2 gal more. Luckily your CEL did not come on from flooding your charcoal canister.

Techron has an ability to fix stuck gauges for some reason over other cleaners, I guess it is the PEA in it.

snowflake · 03-31-2011, 07:02 PM

Thanks! I'll have to try some when I get some $$$ which won't be until next week.

I read the label online and it says the 20oz bottle treats a 20 gallon tank which equals 1 oz per gallon. Stupid question...do I use the entire bottle or 3 oz (1/4 tank is a little over 3 gallons) of it?

mikered30 · 03-31-2011, 08:10 PM

You will add about 13 oz just before you fill up your tank, when it is around a 1/4 full or so. They want the level low so it mixes better. You could probably add the entire bottle. If there is a mechanical problem with the system, this product will not help. If it is just stuck with varnish, it will probably help. I think they offer a smaller bottle and is only around $8 or so. Techron seems to work better in these cases.

snowflake · 03-31-2011, 08:43 PM

The gauge was working perfectly before this so I don't think there's a mechanical problem. There is a smaller bottle, 12 oz for about $8. In this case I would definitely use the whole bottle.

invader · 04-01-2011, 01:21 AM

There's likely nothing wrong with your fuel level sensor or gauge... I always fill it up as much as I can, and the needle drops to the full line only at about 150 miles as usual.