Flashing Gas Gauge

This just happened this evening in my 05 Prius with 141K miles. Filled up the gas tank a couple days ago and only put 11 miles on my car since fill-up. Went in my car this evening and the gas gauge was flashing with only one bar lit up and my screen said to add gas! I knew something was wrong since my screen said I only have 11 miles on car since full-up.

I looked online for similar problems but was not able to find any except someone said the bladder system fuel bag might be bad and was an $840.00 part [the entire fuel tank]!
I saw some video on YouTube about a "2005 Prius reset fuel level inclinometer" but I could not make that work. Seemed more like resetting the 'maintenance required' light after you change your oil.

Drove to a local auto zone and described problem to guy at counter and he had never heard of that. He went out to car with code reader and hooked it up but no codes came up. Went inside and he did a google search on the prob but was not able to find anything either.

Is there a fuel gauge sensor?

Anyone have any experience with this strange occurrence?

If I removed the cables off the battery terminals and then put them back on, would this reset the gauge and go back to normal? Just a thought.

I cannot seem to find anyone that has made a video on this or actually gave a response as to what the cause and the fix is.

Just found this:
most likely the sender is bad.if that's the problem, then it's part of the fuel pump assembly located inside the fuel tank.also i don't believe it is available to replace just that part.if i am correct,i don't think you can even get the fuel pump assembly alone.i think you have to replace the whole fuel tank with the pump assembly already installed in the tank.around $800.00 if you buy it and install it yourself.

I sure do hope that is not the problem! Big Bucks!

Can anyone please help me?

Thanks!

 

Thanks for your replies.

I called the Toyota customer service number since I read something about this and that it could be a problem in the gas tank and see if Toyota would cover taking care of the diagnostic fee at the dealer. Discussed this prob with the Toyota rep and discussed the poor design of the fuel system parts being integrated in the fuel tank and having to replace entire tank if there is a problem with some of these parts!

Gave her the name of the local dealer and she said she would talk to them about this and have them talk with me. Once I talked with the dealer, I was told that the rep never mentioned to them about taking care of the diagnostic fee and that would be a $149.00 charge! Told them that is not what I was told. So, I hung up and decided I would try something else.

The battery is two years old.....purchased an OPTIMA battery from Advance Auto with a 25% off coupon, so I went to see them last night and they tested the battery. CCA tested good but they said it could use a charge. So, I connected my trickle charger to it last night and it was charged this morning. Still same problem.

So, I loosened the bolt connecting the ground cable to the frame, at the passenger rear quarter inside the hatch area- to see if a reset would correct this prob.
Tightened it back up, started the car up,,,,,,,,and guess what?...................The gas gauge reset and it shows a full tank!
Amazing, huh?

No $$ spent.

 

Thanks bisco,,,,,,,,,,,,,,hopefully this thread will help someone else down the line.......pay it forward, right?