FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

P0462




DTC P0462

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor
DTC P0462
- Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

Diagnostic Fault Information





Circuit/System Description

The fuel level sender changes resistance based on the fuel level. The engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuit of the fuel level sender to determine fuel level. When the fuel tank is full, the sender resistance is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the sender resistance is high and the ECM senses a high signal voltage. The ECM uses the signal circuit of the fuel level sender in order to calculate the remaining fuel level percent in the tank. The ECM sends the fuel level message via the serial data circuit to the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends the fuel level percent to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) via the serial data circuit for display on the fuel gage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

The ignition is ON, with the engine ON.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

* The fuel level signal is greater than 98 percent.
* The fuel level sensor output is less than 0.39 volt.
* The above condition is present for greater than 20 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

* The fuel gage defaults to empty.
* The ECM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic 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.

Reference Information
Schematic Reference

* Instrument Cluster Schematics (Instrument Cluster Schematics)
* Engine Controls Schematics (Electrical Diagrams)

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views (Connector Views)
Description and Operation

Instrument Cluster Description and Operation (Description and Operation)
Electrical Information Reference

* Circuit Testing (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Connector Repairs (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Wiring Repairs (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter. The reading should be between 4 percent and 98 percent.

Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the fuel level sensor.
2. Ignition ON, verify that the scan tool fuel tank level remaining parameter is less than 4 percent.

If greater than the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal D for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

3. If all circuits test normal, test or replace 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 resistance value of less than 41 ohms and a maximum value greater than 119 ohms between the signal terminal D and the low reference terminal C.

If not within the specified range, replace the fuel level sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.

* Fuel Level Sensor Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for ECM replacement, setup, and programming