GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Aids

    • The water in fuel sensor illuminates the Water in Fuel message when there is water in the fuel system. Perform the Water in Fuel Draining procedure before performing the following test steps to accurately determine if a malfunction exists. Refer to Water-in-Fuel Draining .
    • For intermittent diagnosis, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics and Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Turn OFF the engine.
  2. Disconnect the water in fuel sensor.
  3. Connect a 3-ampere fused jumper wire between the signal circuit of the water in fuel sensor and a good ground.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the water in fuel indicator illuminate in the instrument panel cluster (IPC)?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect a 3-ampere fused jumper wire between the signal circuit of the water in fuel sensor and the ground circuit of the water in fuel sensor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the water in fuel indicator illuminate in the IPC?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

4

Test the signal circuit of the water in fuel sensor for an open or for a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the engine.
  3. Disconnect the water in fuel sensor.
  4. Connect a 3-ampere fused jumper wire between the signal circuit of the water in fuel sensor and a good ground.
  5. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  6. With the scan tool, observe the Water In Fuel Sensor parameter in the PCM Engine Data 1 data list.

Does the Water In Fuel Sensor parameter display Water?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

6

Test the low reference circuit of the water in fuel sensor for an open or for a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

7

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the IPC. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

8

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the powertrain control module (PCM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the water in fuel sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

10

Replace the IPC. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

--

11

Replace the PCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

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12

Replace the fuel strainer bowl. Refer to Fuel Strainer Bowl Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

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13

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2