Circuit Description
The fuel manager/filter assembly consists of the fuel heater, the water in fuel sensor, and a filter. The filter contains the coalescer (the device that combines small droplets of water into larger ones) and the filter/separator.
A fuel lift pump delivers diesel fuel from the tank to the fuel filter. As fuel enters the filter, the fuel passes first through the fuel heater. The heater contains a thermostatic switch. The switch opens or closes to turn the heater OFF or ON, depending on the temperature of the fuel.
The fuel then passes through the filter. Next, the fuel flows through the water coalescer. Here the droplets of water in the fuel combine into larger drops and fall into the water reservoir in the filter. When fuel flows from the fuel manager/filter assembly to the injection pump, the fuel is clean and free of water.
The solid state water-in-fuel sensor supplies voltage to a probe. When the probe touches water, the module closes a switch. This completes a circuit to ground to light the water in fuel lamp.
A time delay circuit in the water-in-fuel module grounds the lamp briefly to test the bulb each time the system is turned ON.
The fuel heater is operated by a built-in thermostatic switch. When the switch is closed, battery voltage is supplied to the heater.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
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A water-in-fuel light that is ON is normal if there is water in the fuel.
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This step determines if there is a short to ground in the lamp control circuit between the sensor and the water in fuel indicator bulb.
Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics | |||
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls? | Go to Step 2 | |
|
Important: Before proceeding with this diagnostic, drain any water from the fuel system. Refer to Water-in-Fuel Draining . Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Does the water in fuel lamp illuminate briefly, then go out? | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 3 | |
3 | Does the water in fuel lamp stay ON? | Go to Step 5 | |
4 | Operate the vehicle under the conditions which the problem was noted. Does the system operate normally? | Go to Diagnostic Aids | Go to Step 2 |
Does the test lamp illuminate? | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 7 | |
6 | Repair the short to ground in the water in fuel indicator control circuit. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 8 | -- |
7 | Replace the water in fuel sensor. Refer to Water in Fuel Indicator Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 8 | -- |
8 |
Does the system operate normally? | System OK | Go to Step 2 |
