| • | 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. | 
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  | |||||
The engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the signal circuit of the fuel level sender in order to determine fuel level. The sender consists of a variable resistor that changes resistance based on the fuel level in the tank. The ECM/PCM monitors the voltage across the sender resistance in order to determine the fuel level. The ECM/PCM uses the signal circuit of the fuel level sender in order to calculate the total remaining fuel, in percent. The ECM/PCM sends the fuel level percent via the serial data circuit to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gage.
The ignition is ON.
| • | The primary fuel level signal on vehicles with dual tanks or the fuel level signal on vehicles with a single tank is less than 0.5 volts. | 
| • | The above condition is present for greater than 20 seconds. | 
| • | The fuel gage defaults to empty. | 
| • | The ECM/PCM records the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic test fails. The ECM/PCM displays the failure information in the Failure Records on the scan tool. | 
| • | 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. | 
Instrument Cluster Description and Operation
Control Module References for scan tool information
Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Fuel Level Sensor parameter. The reading should be between 0.9-3.0 volts.
| ⇒ | If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal 4 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM/PCM. | 
| ⇒ | If not within the specified range, replace the fuel level sensor. | 
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.
| • | Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 6.6L engine | 
| • | Fuel Sender Assembly Replacement for the 7.8L engine | 
| • | Fuel Sender Assembly Replacement for the 8.1L engine | 
| • | Control Module References for the ECM/PCM replacement, setup, and programming |