Losing speedo when on very low fuel (what?)

[FlrSupra]

Experienced very odd thing today.

 

I was planning to drive my fuel amount to almost empty to easily measure how much I can drive with full tank.

 

When the "low fuel warning light" came on few times suddenly my speedo died. Then after few seconds came back, then died again, came back, died again etc. .. then speedo was off for a bit longer time the hazard&eml-light came on for 10 seconds and they went off.

 

... after that speedo came back, died again .. hazard&eml-light came back again for 10 seconds and went off.

 

This was all during 5mile trip.

 

Strangest thing is what fixed the problem: I went to get fuel. After that I`ve driven over 50 miles with speedo working 100% of the time.

 

Is that possible or was that just an coinsidence?

[Ian C]

The low fuel light is connected to a switch in the fuel sender. This is earthed to pin 11A of the 'combination meter' (the Toyota term for your gauges and warning lights).

 

Pin 11A also covers the earth for the speedo and the rev counter, but no other gauges/lights. If you didn't see your rev counter die in the same way as your speedo, I have no answers for you If you did, there might be a problem in the fuel sender that causes this behaviour. Also check the earth point designated "IF", which is located in the driver's footwell, on the side of the car near the door.

[greeksuprakent]

My speedo gives random dips, but only happened like 4 times by now, I thought it would be the wire that needs to be replaced.

[FlrSupra]

The low fuel light is connected to a switch in the fuel sender. This is earthed to pin 11A of the 'combination meter' (the Toyota term for your gauges and warning lights).

 

Pin 11A also covers the earth for the speedo and the rev counter, but no other gauges/lights. If you didn't see your rev counter die in the same way as your speedo, I have no answers for you If you did, there might be a problem in the fuel sender that causes this behaviour. Also check the earth point designated "IF", which is located in the driver's footwell, on the side of the car near the door.

 

Good text like always Ian!

 

But, only my speedo went dead few times and most likely `caused the hazardlight to come on.

 

After hazardlight I "stupidly" resetted my ecu and did not look the error code that was stored. After ecu-reset the speedo went dead few times, but did not `cause hazard light to come on again.

 

Then refuelled and problem gone. Well, there`s now 34litres of gasoline in it so I`ll get the hazardlight back soon and check what is the code that comes on when speedo dies.

 

How odd is to wish that hazardlight will light up?!?!?!

 

 

..just to make sure I`ll check that earthing point you pointed out. It`s always good to ask stuff here because you`ll always get some directions of what to do.