• | 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. |
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 |
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 fuel level sensor resistance is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the fuel level 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 information via the serial data circuit to the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends the fuel information to the instrument panel cluster via the serial data circuit in order to control the fuel gage and display the fuel level.
• | The ignition is ON, with the engine running. |
• | The system voltage is between 9-16 volts. |
• | The sensor output is greater than 2.9 volts. |
• | The above condition is present for greater than 30 seconds. |
• | The fuel gage defaults to empty. |
• | The low fuel indicator illuminates. |
• | 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. |
• | 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. |
Instrument Cluster Description and Operation
Control Module References for scan tool information
Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter. The reading should be between 4 percent and 98 percent.
⇒ | If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM. |
⇒ | If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM. |
⇒ | If not within the specified range, replace the fuel level sensor. |
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.
• | Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 2.0L engine |
• | Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 2.2L or 2.4L engine |
• | Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming |