Fuel Gauge Malfunction - DTC P0461-P0464
Diagnostic Instructions
DTC Descriptors
DTC P0461: Fuel Level Sensor Performance
DTC P0462: Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P0463: Fuel Level Sensor Circuit High Voltage
DTC P0464: Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Intermittent
Diagnostic Fault Information
Circuit
| Short to Ground
| Open/High Resistance
| Short to Voltage
| Signal Performance
|
Fuel Level Sensor 1 Signal
| P0462
| P0463
| P0463
| P0461
|
Low Reference
| --
| 1
| P0463, P0464
| P0461
|
1. Fuel Gauge Malfunction
|
Circuit/System Description
The fuel level sensor changes resistance based on 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 resistances of the fuel level sensor is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage on the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor. When the fuel tank is empty, the resistance of the fuel level sensor 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 High Speed CAN-Bus to the body control module (BCM). The BCM then sends the fuel level percentage via Low Speed CAN-Bus to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gauge. When the fuel level falls below approximately 11% the instrument cluster illuminates the low fuel level indicator.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | The system voltage is between 11-16 V |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
P0461
| • | The ECM detects a difference between the fuel consumed by the engine and change of the fuel level signal of less than 1 L (0.26 gal) over a range of 30 L (7.92 gal) or 45.6% of the primary fuel tank. |
| • | The above condition is present for about 300 seconds. |
P0462
| • | The signal voltage is less than 0.25 V. |
| • | The above conditions must be met for 5 seconds. |
P0463
| • | The signal voltage is greater than 4.7 V. |
| • | The above conditions must be met for 5 seconds. |
P0464
| • | The fuel level change is greater than 10%. |
| • | The above conditions must be met for 30 seconds. |
| • | DTC P0464 runs and fails 2 out of 3 test cycles. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | P0461, P0462, P0463, and P0464 are Type B DTCs |
| • | The fuel gauge defaults to empty |
| • | The low fuel indicator illuminates |
Conditions for Clearing the DTC
| • | P0461, P0462, P0463, and P0464 are Type B DTCs |
| • | 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
Connector End View Reference
Component Connector End Views
Description and Operation
Instrument Cluster Description and Operation
Electrical Information Reference
DTC Type Reference
Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References for scan tool information
Circuit/System Testing
- Vehicle OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the B46 fuel level sensor.
- Test for less than 10 Ω at the low reference circuit terminal 3.
| ⇒ | If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module. |
- Vehicle in Service Mode, test for 4.8-5.2 V between the signal circuit terminal 4 and ground.
| ⇒ | If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 ECM. |
| ⇒ | If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 ECM. |
- If all circuits test normal, replace the B46 fuel level sensor.
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.
| ©© Copyright Chevrolet. All rights reserved |
