SR5 low fuel light - stuck on

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:58 pm

For those of you who can't picture the scenario... B) Here it is:

Car was low on gas. Low fuel warning light came on - as it should

I filled up tonight - topped it off as a matter of fact. Gauge is on Full.
Low fuel light is still stuck on. I drove it for a short trip (10 minutes, parked for about an hour and a half, and took another short trip home (another 10 minutes)... And the silly little light is still on.

I realize that it's the least of my worries, but if anyone has any insight I'd appreciate the help.

Thank you,

Jerry

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 8:14 am

Maybe the sensor apparatus in the tank is stuck (if it's one of the float type)? Thats all I can think of. I believe you have to drop the tank to be able to remove the sensor cap to check.

2wagons · Post by **2wagons** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 8:54 am

Hello, I have an 87 wagon and have removed the sender a couple of times. You get to the sender through an access plate in the back of the wagon. Pull back the carpet and you will see a plate bolted to the floor on the right side, if I remember correctly. The cover plate is under some sticky foam-like covering. Gently pull back the covering, remove the metal cover plate and you will see the top of the sender. I think there are several small bolts or screws that hold the sender in.. Take these off and pull the sender up and out. Be careful not to tear or nick any seals, O-rings, bend the float, etc. The sensor is the small silver cylinder on the tip (bottom) of the sender. FWIW my sender will not work above 1/2 full so I opened the little box on the top of the sender. There is a wire coil and a small piece of metal that slides along the coil as the float lifts/lowers. On my car, the little piece of metal has a hole in it (corrosion) and I will replace it some day -for now I keep a log book in the car.
goodluck

3A-C Power · Post by **3A-C Power** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:12 am

The fuel light sensor is a seperate unit from the fuel gauge, that way if one sensor breaks you can still rely on the other one. The fuel light sensor sits in the bottom of the tank and is basically a switch that opens when immersed in gas. I don't know how such a thing works but I'd check the wire going to it first. If the switch itself is broken, it should be an easy fix by using any similar type sensor from the junkyard and attaching it to the Tercel's bracket. You can also change the point at which the light comes on by bending the rod that holds the sensor, making it higher or lower in the tank.