Diagnostic Instructions
| • | Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure. |
| • | Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach. |
| • | Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category. |
DTC Descriptor
DTC P0461: Fuel Level Sensor Circuit PerformanceDiagnostic Fault Information
Circuit | Short to Ground | High Resistance | Open | Short to Voltage | Signal Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fuel Level Sensor Signal | P0462 | 1 | P0463, P0464 | P0463 | P0461 |
Fuel Level Sensor Low Reference | -- | 1 | P0463, P0464 | P0463 | P0461 |
1. Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative | |||||
Circuit/System Description
The fuel level sensor changes resistance in response to the fuel level. the engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor in order to determine the fuel level. When the fuel tank is full, the sensor resistance is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the sensor resistance is high and the ECM senses a high signal voltage. The ECM uses the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor in order to calculate the percentage of fuel remaining in the tank. The ECM sends the fuel level percentage via serial data circuit to the instrument panel cluster (IPC). The ECM sends a serial data message to the IPC in order to display the fuel level in the fuel gage.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | The engine is running. |
| • | No other fuel level sensor signal failure is present |
| • | Fuel level state is stable |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The ECM detects a difference between the engine consumed fuel and change of the fuel level signal of less than 1L (0.264 gallons) over a range of 30L (7.92 gallons) or 45.6 percent of the fuel tank. |
| • | The above condition is present for greater than 300 seconds. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The fuel gage defaults to empty. |
| • | The low fuel indicator displays in the IPC. |
| • | The ECM records the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic test fails. The ECM displays the failure information in the Failure Records on the scan tool. |
Conditions for Clearing the DTC
| • | The DTC becomes history when the conditions for setting the DTC are no longer present. |
| • | The history DTC clears after 40 malfunction-free warm-up cycles. |
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Connector End View Reference
Description and Operation
Instrument Cluster Description and Operation
Electrical Information Reference
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References for Scan Tool Information
Component Testing
- Ignition OFF, remove the fuel level sender and verify there are no obstructions interfering with the fuel level sender.
- Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the fuel level sensor.
- While sweeping the fuel level sensor through its full range of motion, test for a minimum resistance value of less than 41 ohms and a maximum value greater than 119 ohms between the signal terminal B and the low reference terminal C.
| ⇒ | If any interference is present, repair the fuel sender interference. |
| ⇒ | If not within the specified range, replace the fuel level sensor. |
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.
| • | Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 3.8L engine |
| • | Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L, and 7.0L engines |
| • | Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming |
