TSB Released on Fuel Gauge Innacuracies

There definitely appear to be a few advantages to having to wait for a car I hadn't realised that the check-engine bug had also been fixed (altho' I haven't seen it, either, so I just thought I was lucky!).

As for VIN decoding -- the last part of the VIN (after U44) is strictly serial.

 

Thanks for the info!

Trapperjohn

 

So my serial number is 100030. Sweet! An even 100,000 would have been neater but this is good. Nice round number one hundred thousand thirty. The really nice thing was while we were talking this up Toyota was fixing it up in two stages. Good problem solving. Change a variable step back look at it then improve again as needed. Classic. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

They're not going to be in any special hurry to get the TSB or parts to dealers, because it's not a safety issue.

My problem is that since it's not a recall or an SSC, they won't send out notices to owners, and it may well be that none of the other half dozen Prius owners in Fargo complain. I don't want to be the first one they work on, so I'm going to wait a while. The fact is, I can live with it the way it is, though I'd prefer to have it fixed.

How can you order the computer with the correct mileage without knowing what your miles will be by the time the computer arrives??? I sure as blazes don't want to leave my car with them for a month so they can note the mileage and then wait for the part. Do they allow some leeway so you can estimate?

Guess I'll wait a while and then call and ask.

 

Wow!!! This is great news. While the guess gage did not make me lose sleep, I was just complaining to my wife yesterday that last week I had close to 400 miles on the car and 3 solid bars left. After 2 short trips around town (less than 5 miles) I had a single blinking bar!!??!! I filled up and the car only took 6.5 gallons. I've come to accept the tank's eccentricities.

I am happy from a "just bought a new car" perspective that they have recognized and fixed this. Now my problem is (as any of you who have read my rant in the 15K service thread http://priuschat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?...912&highlight=) know is, which of the "Bubba's" around here do I trust to do this service? They probably would do an OK job, but I really don't want to be without my car for an extended time if they screw it up. Sigh.....

 

Looks like I'm up for the computer and filler pipe.

If it takes a lot of whining to get on the to-be-fixed list, I'll be ready.

However, I'd prefer that at least one other Toyota Center customer go first. Please?... :mrgreen:

 

I finally spoke to the service manager at my local dealer. I explained how the last time I got gas the last bar was blinking and I only could get 8 gallons in the tank. He remarked that it sounded normal. Anyway, I am taking the car in tomorrow to have them check it out, check the VIN # and call Toyota Technical to see if I should go ahead and order the parts to do the work.

I am a little concerned about being the first one. There is nothing else wrong with the car. I would hate to have them tear the car apart and create problems that don't now exist.

I'll let everyone know tomorrow what they say after I get back from the dealer.

Jeff

 

The VIN# of my Preto Prius is waaaaay younger than that...

 

I'm within the range and I regularly fillup with 11+ gallons after driving 80 or so miles on the blinking bar. In fact, I went 134 on the blinking bar on my next to last tank for a total of 703 miles. On the last tank I added 11.9 gallons. Perhaps the repair would allow me to not nurse in the last gallon or so, but why does mine work while others don't. My vin# is 53,***. Oh well, it's a mystery.

 

I think that you have to nurse the last gallon or so is the issue. I have tried that twice and spilled a little bit of gas. When the pump shuts off now, I stop pumping. During my last fill up, the last bar was blinking. The pump shut off at 8 gallons. Hopefully this fix will allow me to put in close to the 11.9 gallons the tank holds.

Jeff

 

I just returned from the dealer. My car does fit in the VIN range for both parts. The parts have to be ordered which takes about a week. I will schedule the repair after they call and tell me the parts are in.

The service manager told me they have a policy not to tell customers about every TSB that comes out. They only discuss them with customers that have a problem or specifically ask about them. Seems that Toyota issues a lot of them that most folks never hear about. Certainly one of the advantages of a group like this. We usually find out what is going on before most dealers do.

Of course, when I get the work done I will report back on how it went. I did speak to the tech who will do the work and he said I should make the appointment to leave the car for the day so he doesn't feel like he has to rush.

Jeff

 

Amen! Service was aware of bulletin

I complained about the "guess gauage" directly to Toyota and indirectly through the Yahoo groups. My last fill-up was at 370 miles after averaging 50mpg and filling up from blinking fuel light to blinking fuel light. I am going to be sooo happy if this helps!

I just called Miller Toyota in Culver City, CA and they were aware of this bulletin (yeah!) It just so happens that I'm going out-of-town next week so I'm going to drop it by on Thursday. Will let you know what happens.

 

Jeff, I like your tech, an honest one. The first of any project is the worst and to be rushed is the recipe for disaster.

 

TSB

Tempus,

Thank you for posting the TSB. I contacted Performance Toyota here in Omaha and they said not a problem and ordered the parts.

 

i go in monday, leave the car behind, they estimate 2 to 4 days, then pick it up all better...i hope! dealer gave no hassle, knew about the tsb on thursday last, they're giving me a loaner of course, hope it's something interesting, so...i'll let you all know the outcome, needless to say.

 

Hmm... Do they have to provide a loaner while the car is in the shop for this TSB?

Dave

 

i don't know, but i am a loyal customer to this dealer, they appear to be responding in kind.