DTC P0461 3.6L LY7
Circuit Description
The fuel level sender changes resistance based on fuel level. The engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuit of the fuel level sender in order to determine fuel level. When the fuel tank is full, the sender resistance is high and the ECM senses a high signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the sender resistance is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. The ECM uses the signal circuit of the fuel level sender in order to calculate the total remaining fuel percent in the tank. The ECM sends the fuel level percent via the class 2 serial data circuit to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gage. The fuel level information is also used for misfire and evaporative emission (EVAP) diagnostics.
This diagnostic tests for the fuel level sensor signal movement. The ECM sets this DTC when it detects a difference between engine consumed fuel and change of the fuel level signal of the primary fuel level sensor.
DTC Descriptor
This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:
DTC P0461 Fuel Level Sensor Performance
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | The engine is running. |
| • | No other fuel level sensor signal failure is present. |
| • | Fuel level state is stable. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The ECM detects a difference between the engine consumed fuel and change of the fuel level signal of less than 1 L (0.264 gallons) over a range of 30 L (7.92 gallons) or 45.6 percent of the primary fuel tank. |
| • | The above condition is present for greater than 300 seconds. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The fuel gage defaults to empty. |
| • | The low fuel indicator displays in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). |
| • | The ECM records the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic test 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. |
| • | The ECM receives the clear code command from the scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
| • | Use the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data in order to locate an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information included in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data may help in determining the number of miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter and Pass Counter can also help in determining the number of ignition cycles that the diagnostic test reported a pass and/or fail. Operate the vehicle within the same freeze frame conditions, including those for RPM, for engine load, for vehicle speed, for temperature, and for others. This will isolate at what point the DTC failed. |
| • | Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems. |
Step | Action | Yes | No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics | |||||||
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information | ||||
2 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 3 | ||||
3 | Replace the primary fuel level sensor. Refer to Fuel Level Sensor Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.6L. Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 4 | -- | ||||
4 |
Does the DTC reset? | Go to Step 2 | System OK | ||||
