GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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.

Diagnostic Fault Information

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

Circuit/System Description

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 sensor resistance is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the 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 remaining fuel in the tank. The ECM sends the fuel level percentage via serial data to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to display the fuel gage.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

J 33431-C Instrument Panel Tester

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Fuel Level Sensor parameter. The reading should be between 0.9-2.5 volts.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the fuel level sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal C and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuits tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Install a Signal Generator and Instrument Panel Tester between the fuel level sensor signal circuit terminal B and the low reference circuit terminal C.
  5. Ignition ON, vary the signal generator resistance between 40-250 ohms. Verify that the scan tool Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter displays a range that varies between 0.5-4.5 volts as the signal generator resistance changes.
  6. If not displaying the specified range, test the circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit test normal, replace the ECM.
  7. Vary the signal generator resistance between 40-250 ohms. Verify that the fuel gage displays a range that varies between empty and full as the signal generator resistance changes.
  8. If the gage is incorrect, replace the IPC.
  9. If all circuits test normal, perform the fuel level sensor component test before replacing the fuel level sensor.

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, remove the fuel level sender.
  2. While sweeping the fuel level sensor through its full range of motion, test for a minimum value of less than 41 ohms and a maximum value greater than 119 ohms of resistance between signal terminal B and the low reference terminal C.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the fuel level sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Fuel Level Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for the ECM and IPC replacement, setup, and programming