GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel gage system consists of the following components:

    • The fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor
    • The fuel tank temperature (FTT) sensor
    • The dash mounted fuel gage
    • The dash mounted fuel gage select switch (KL6)

The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the CNG FTP and FTT sensors. The volume of CNG stored in the tank varies with pressure and temperature. In order to display an accurate fuel gage reading, the PCM performs a calculation based upon the CNG fuel tank pressure and temperature. Refer to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Temperature Versus Percent Full in Engine Controls.

The fuel gage select switch allows the vehicle operator to observe the fuel level for the non-operating system. When the switch is applied, the PCM will display the fuel level of the non-operating fuel system for about 10 seconds.

The PCM sends the fuel level information to the instrument panel fuel gage on the class 2 serial data circuit.

Diagnostic Aids

If the customer concern is related to fast filling of the CNG fuel tank refer to the following:

    • Fast-filling the CNG fuel tank causes the fuel to heat-up and expand.
    • The fuel temperature may remain hotter than the ambient intake air temperature (IAT) for up to 3 hours after filling.
    • The fuel tank pressure may decrease by up to 5516  kPa (800 psi) within 3 hours of fast-filling.

The CNG fuel tank will not completely fill during a fast-fill, due to the expansion of the fuel. The fuel gage will display full as long as the fuel remains hot. The fuel gage display will decrease as the fuel cools.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check Alternative Fuels - Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Alternative Fuels (Engine Controls) in Engine Controls

2

Important: Verify that the customer concern is not a normal operating condition. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Is the customer concern a normal operating condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 3

3

Is this vehicle equipped with the bi-fuel option (KL6)?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the Fuel Gage Select Switch parameter with a scan tool.
  3. Apply and release the fuel gage select switch several times.

Does the parameter indicate the switch is operating as commanded?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 10

5

Command the fuel gage between full and empty with the scan tool Instrument Panel Special Functions.

Does the fuel gage operate as commanded?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Instrument Panel, Gages and Console in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console in the C/K Truck Service Manual

6

Important: Fast-filling the compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tank causes the fuel to heat-up and expand.

The fuel temperature may remain hotter than the ambient intake air temperature (IAT) for up to 3 hours after filling.

  1. Observe the Fuel Temperature Sensor and the IAT Sensor data displays with a scan tool.
  2. Compare the temperature displays.

Does each sensor indicate the same temperature plus or minus the specified value?

20°C (35°F)

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 19

7

Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor voltage data parameter with the scan tool.

Does the parameter indicate a voltage less than the specified value?

4.8 V

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 15

8

Important: Fast-filling the CNG fuel tank causes the fuel to heat-up and expand.

The fuel tank pressure may DECREASE by up to 5516 kPa (800 psi) within 3 hours of fast filling.

  1. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor data parameter with a scan tool.
  2. Verify the amount of CNG fuel pressure in the fuel tank by filling the CNG fuel tank to full at a CNG dispensing station.
  3. Compare the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor data parameter to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Temperature Versus Percent Full after the tank is full.

Does the FTP sensor accurately indicate a full tank?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 20

9

  1. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor data parameter with a scan tool.
  2. Start and idle the engine.
  3. Command the high pressure lock-off (HPL) solenoid closed with the scan tool.
  4. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor data parameter while the HPL is commanded closed.
  5. The fuel pressure should slowly and smoothly drop until the vehicle switches to gasoline (KL6) or stalls.

Did the fuel pressure drop smoothly and consistently?

--

System OK

Go to Step 20

10

Does the scan tool always indicate applied?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

11

  1. Disconnect the fuel gage select switch connector.
  2. Observe the Fuel Gage Select Switch data parameter with a scan tool.

Does the parameter indicate released?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 14

12

  1. Disconnect the fuel gage select switch connector.
  2. Connect the fuel gage select switch signal circuit terminal to ground.
  3. Observe the Fuel Gage Select Switch parameter with a scan tool.

Does the parameter indicate applied?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 13

13

Test the fuel gage select switch signal circuit for an open condition. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems in the C/K Truck Service Manual.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 18

14

Test the fuel gage select switch signal circuit for a short to ground condition. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems in the C/K Truck Service Manual.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

15

  1. Connect a jumper wire between each of the terminals in the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor harness connector and the corresponding terminal at the FTP sensor. Refer to Using Connector Test Adapters in Wiring Systems in the C/K Truck Service Manual.
  2. Measure the voltage from the FTP sensor low reference ground circuit jumper wire terminal to a good ground with a DMM. Refer to Measuring Voltage Drop in Wiring Systems in the C/K Truck Service Manual.

Is the voltage more than the specified value?

0.2 V

Go to Step 16

Go to DTC P1433 in Engine Controls

16

Test the FTP sensor ground circuit for an open condition. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems in the C/K Truck Service Manual.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 18

17

Inspect for proper terminal contact at the fuel gage switch connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems in the C/K Truck Service Manual.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 21

18

Inspect for proper terminal contact at the powertrain control module (PCM) connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems in the C/K Truck Service Manual.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

19

Replace the fuel tank temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor is not serviceable separately from the HPL. Refer to High Pressure Lock-Off Solenoid Replacement in Engine Controls.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

20

Replace the FTP sensor. Refer to Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Replacement in Engine Controls.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

21

Replace the fuel gage select switch. Refer to Alternative Fuel Gage Selector Switch/Fuel Indicator Lamp Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

22

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement in Engine Controls in the C/K Truck Service Manual.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

23

  1. Connect any disconnected components, fuses, etc.
  2. With the scan tool, clear DTC Information from the PCM.
  3. Turn the ignition OFF for 30 seconds.
  4. Start the engine and operate the vehicle.
  5. Observe the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and the diagnostic information center - KL6 only.
  6. Observe vehicle performance and driveability.
  7. After operating the vehicle, inspect the PCM for stored DTCs.

Does the vehicle operate on CNG with normal driveability, no MIL illumination, and no stored DTCs?

--

System OK

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Alternative Fuels (Engine Controls) in Engine Controls