GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2005 🢒 XLR 🢒 Accessories 🢒 Navigation Systems 🢒 DTC P0461

Circuit Description

The primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender change resistance in response to fuel level. The engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuit of the primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender in order to determine the fuel level. When the fuel tanks are full, the resistances of both fuel level senders are high, and the ECM senses a high signal voltage on both the signal circuit of the primary fuel level sender and the signal circuit of the secondary fuel level sender. When the fuel tanks are empty, the resistances of the fuel level senders are low, and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. The ECM uses the signal circuits of the primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender in order to calculate the percentage of remaining fuel in the tanks. The ECM sends the fuel level percentage via the serial data circuit to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gage.

This diagnostic tests for a stuck primary fuel level sensor signal. The ECM sets this DTC if the primary fuel level sensor signal appears to be stuck based on a lack of signal variation expected during normal operation.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0461 Fuel Level Sensor Performance

Conditions for Running the DTC

The ignition is ON.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM does not detect a change in fuel level in the primary fuel tank of at least 3.0L (0.79 gal) over a distance of 320 km (200 mi).

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The fuel gage defaults to empty.
    • The driver information center (DIC) displays the FUEL LEVEL LOW message.
    • 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.

Diagnostic Aids
    • Use the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data in order to locate an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information included in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data may help in determining the number of miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter and Pass Counter can also help in determining the number of ignition cycles that the diagnostic test reported a pass and/or fail. Operate the vehicle within the same freeze frame conditions, including those for RPM, for engine load, for vehicle speed, for temperature, and for others. This will isolate at what point the DTC failed.
        Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
    • Check if DTC P2066 is also set. Both these codes will set simultaneously if the vehicle was refueled with the engine ON.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2
  1. Remove the primary fuel level sender.
  2. Inspect for the following items:
    3. • The fuel level sensor is stuck, perhaps due to an interference with the fuel strainer.
    • The fuel tank contains foreign material, for instance, ice.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

Replace the primary fuel level sensor. Refer to Fuel Level Sensor Replacement - Left Side in Engine Controls.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 4

--

4
  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 2

System OK