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 1 Circuit PerformanceDiagnostic Fault Information
Circuit | Short to Ground | High Resistance | Open | Short to Voltage | Signal Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fuel Level Sensor 1 Signal | P0462 | 1 | P0463 P0464 | P0463 | P0461 |
Fuel Level Sensor 2 Signal | P2067 | 1 | P2068 | P2068 | P2066 or P2636 |
Fuel Level Sensor Low Reference | -- | 1 | P0463 P2068 P0464 | P0463 P2068 | P0461 P2066 or P2636 |
1. Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative | |||||
Circuit/System Description
The primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender changes resistance based on fuel level. The engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuits of the primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender in order to determine the fuel level. When the fuel tank is full, the resistances of both fuel level senders are low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage on both the signal circuits of the primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender. When the fuel tanks are empty, the resistances of the fuel level senders are high and the ECM senses a high 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 tank. The ECM sends the fuel level percentage via serial data circuit to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gage.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | The engine is running. |
| • | No VSS DTCs are set. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The ECM detects that the primary fuel tank is less than 28.5 L (7.5 gal) and no change in primary tank of at least 3 L (.79 gal) over a distance of 80 km (49.7 mi). |
| • | The ECM detects that the primary fuel tank is greater than 28.5 L (7.5 gal) and the secondary fuel tank is less than 3.3 L (.87 gal) over a distance of 200 km (124.2 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
Check if DTC P2066 is also set. Both DTCs P0461 and P2066 may set simultaneously if the vehicle was refueled with the ignition ON or engine RUNNING. Always refuel with the ignition OFF.
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 the scan tool information
Component Testing
- Ignition OFF, remove the primary 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 primary fuel level sensor through its full range of motion, test for a minimum value less than 41 ohms and a maximum value greater than 119 ohms between signal terminal 1 and the low reference terminal 4.
| ⇒ | If any interference is present, repair the fuel level 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.
| • | Control Module References for the ECM replacement, setup, and programming |
