GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 1871899  Size: SH
  1. Drain the fuel from the fuel filter. Refer to Water-in-Fuel Draining .
  2. Remove the right front wheelhouse liner rear bolts/retainers as required to reposition the rear half of the wheelhouse liner (1) in order to access the fuel filter.

  3. Object Number: 1871640  Size: SH
  4. Disconnect the water-in-fuel sensor wiring pigtail (2) from the engine wiring harness electrical connector.

  5. Object Number: 1871642  Size: SH
  6. Remove the fuel filter from the fuel filter adapter.

  7. Object Number: 1871645  Size: SH
  8. Remove the water-in-fuel sensor from the fuel filter.

Installation Procedure

Important: Inspect the fuel heater element housing for contamination. Contamination on the fuel heater element housing may cause leakage at the fuel filter. Coat the fuel filter seal with clean engine oil.


    Object Number: 1871645  Size: SH
  1. Install the water-in-fuel sensor to the NEW fuel filter, and tighten 1/2 turn after the seal contacts the filter.

  2. Object Number: 1871642  Size: SH
  3. Install the NEW fuel filter to the fuel filter adapter, and tighten 1/4 turn after the seal contacts the filter adapter.

  4. Object Number: 1871640  Size: SH
  5. Connect the water-in-fuel sensor wiring pigtail (2) to the engine wiring harness electrical connector.
  6. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1871899  Size: SH
  7. Position the rear half of the wheelhouse liner (1) and install the rear bolts/retainers as required.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts, if required to 2.5 N·m (22 lb in).

  9. Prime the fuel system. Refer to Fuel System Priming .
  10. Start the engine. If the engine stalls, repeat the above step.
  11. Once the engine starts, inspect for fuel leaks.

Fuel Filter Life Reset

This message will appear when a reset is performed either by using the steering wheel controls or following manual procedure.

  1. Reset the fuel filter monitor.
  2. For vehicles with steering wheel controls, press and hold the select button for 5 seconds while the FUEL FILTER LIFE message is displayed.
  3. This message will appear on the driver information center (DIC) for ten seconds.

  4. For vehicles without steering wheel controls, do the following:
  5. 3.1. Without pressing the pedals, turn the ignition key to the ON position without starting the engine.
    3.2. Wait 5 seconds.
    3.3. Completely press the brake and the accelerator pedals simultaneously and hold for 10 seconds. The system is now reset.
    3.4. Turn the ignition key OFF.
  6. The next time the engine is started, the message will no longer be displayed.
  7. ALWAYS reset the FUEL FILTER LIFE system after a fuel filter change.