GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Car Starts to Sputter as soon as fuel light comes on!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-04-14 | 02:21 PM
  #1  
srob817's Avatar
srob817
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default Car Starts to Sputter as soon as fuel light comes on!

Hello i am having an issue with my GS3 that almost as soon as the low fuel light come on the car starts sputtering. Its not a big deal for me since I usually dont let it get that low but my wife is driving it and she is a little more careless. And I really dont want her running out of gas.

I did some research on this when it first started a few months ago and I say that some people had said that is could be that the float is stuck on some baffleing in the tank but when I replaced the filter on the pump I made sure that the float was good.

I just wanted to see if anyone else has had this issue and knows how to fix it.

Thanks
Old 04-04-14 | 03:03 PM
  #2  
DosyBoy's Avatar
DosyBoy
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 11
From: PGH
Default

Replace the fuel filter and run some cleaner through the tank, see if that helps... If not I would lean towards a bad fuel pump on it's way out..
Old 04-04-14 | 03:39 PM
  #3  
peelsSC300's Avatar
peelsSC300
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Ga
Default

I would say your fuel pump is going out too. I had the same issue with my e36. Put in new pump and I was good to go. However, I did replace the filter also. But it only made since to do both.
Old 04-04-14 | 05:05 PM
  #4  
srob817's Avatar
srob817
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

I replaced the filter on the pump already and it is still doing it. So yall are thinking that when the fuel level is low that the pump is having a harder time pumping the fuel???
Old 04-04-14 | 05:49 PM
  #5  
peelsSC300's Avatar
peelsSC300
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Ga
Default

Originally Posted by srob817
I replaced the filter on the pump already and it is still doing it. So yall are thinking that when the fuel level is low that the pump is having a harder time pumping the fuel???
Yup yup yup
Old 04-04-14 | 06:20 PM
  #6  
srob817's Avatar
srob817
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

Most of the pumps I have replaced usually come as an assembly with the sending unit and pump as one unit. When I search on rock auto it gives me a few options but it looks like it only comes with the electric pump it self.Here is the link.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...420&cc=1363542

should I go with a Denso??
Old 04-05-14 | 08:39 AM
  #7  
lexo98's Avatar
lexo98
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 286
From: ca
Default

When you changed the filter it's possible that you very slightly bent the rod that attaches to the float and threw your gauge off a little. I think that's what I did and there are some threads about it here.
Old 04-05-14 | 12:49 PM
  #8  
srob817's Avatar
srob817
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

I pretty positive that I did not bend the float arm. And it was doing this before I replaced the filer.
Old 04-05-14 | 05:23 PM
  #9  
srob817's Avatar
srob817
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

Does anyone have any other ideas on this one??
Old 04-05-14 | 09:04 PM
  #10  
Aristo722's Avatar
Aristo722
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Default

If you were going through the hassle of changing the fuel fiter, it would of been best to just replace the whole fuel pump.
Old 04-06-14 | 05:31 AM
  #11  
srob817's Avatar
srob817
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

Changing the filter is not a big job, it only took like 20 min.

I just want to see if anyone else has had this issue with there GS and if so what did they do to fix the issue.
Old 04-08-14 | 05:56 AM
  #12  
srob817's Avatar
srob817
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

So I guess replacing the fuel pump is really the only option?
Old 04-08-14 | 06:54 PM
  #13  
MattyG's Avatar
MattyG
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 4
From: RightHere
Default

I just changed my filter and strainer. When I filled up, it under-read by about 1/16th. So not quite full. It's possible the float arm is slightly out.

But before that , what I did to make sure it's not the pump is that I ran the car down to "E" fuel light and all. Then I changed the filter.

I drove it for a bit after the repair because I had already looked inside the tank when I was doing this and knew it was at roughly 1/16.

No hesitation or kickdown problems or sputtering but it is running a little rougher. But much much better performance.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
diamente
LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017)
2
05-24-18 04:56 PM
b2884987
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
2
10-30-16 03:01 PM
matts6887
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
3
12-14-14 11:31 PM
Kalogerus
Performance & Maintenance
6
11-16-12 09:42 AM
ti286
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
2
07-20-09 06:07 AM



Quick Reply: Car Starts to Sputter as soon as fuel light comes on!



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:01 PM.