GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DTC P0462 3.8L L26 and L32

Circuit Description

The fuel level sensor changes resistance based on fuel level. The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor in order to determine fuel level. When the fuel tank is full, the sensor resistance is high and the PCM senses a high signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the sensor resistance is low and the PCM senses a low signal voltage. The PCM uses the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor in order to calculate the total remaining fuel percentage in the tank. The PCM sends the fuel level percent via the class 2 serial data circuit to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gage.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0462 Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

Conditions for Running the DTC

The ignition is ON, with the engine ON.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The voltage is below 0.5 volts
    • The total resistance of the circuit is about or below 27.3 ohms.
    • The fuel level signal is 0 percent.
    • The above condition is present for greater than 10 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The PCM 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 PCM receives the clear code command from the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

    • Use the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data in order to locate an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information included in the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data may aid in determining the number of miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter and Pass Counter can also aid in determining the number of ignition cycles that the diagnostic reported a pass and/or fail. Operate the vehicle within the same freeze frame conditions (RPM, engine load, vehicle speed, temperature, etc.). This will isolate when the DTC failed.
    • Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests for the proper operation of the circuit in the high voltage range.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views in Engine Controls - 3.8 L or Inline Harness Connector End Views in Wiring Systems

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter in the powertrain control module (PCM) evaporative emission (EVAP) Data list or the IPC PCM Data List.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter is less than the specified value?

4%

Go to Step 3

Go to Diagnostic Aids

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the fuel level sensor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With the scan tool, observe the Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter is greater than the specified value?

98%

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

Test the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

5

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the fuel level sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

6

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the PCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

7

Replace the fuel level sensor. Refer to Fuel Level Sensor Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.8L.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

8

Replace the PCM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

9

  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK

DTC P0462 3.6L LY7

Circuit 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 fuel level. When the fuel tank is full, the sensor resistance is high and the ECM senses a high signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the sensor resistance is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. The ECM uses the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor in order to calculate the total remaining fuel percentage in the tank. The ECM sends the fuel level percent via the class 2 serial data circuit to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to control the fuel gage. The fuel level information is also used for misfire and evaporative emission (EVAP) diagnostics.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0462 Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine is running.
    • The system voltage is between 10-18 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The fuel level signal is about or below 0.5 volt.
    • The above condition is present for 60 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The fuel gage defaults to empty.
    • The low fuel indicator displays in the IPC.
    • 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.
    • The ECM receives the clear code command from the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

    • Use the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data in order to locate an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information included in the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data may aid in determining the number of miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter and Pass Counter can also aid in determining the number of ignition cycles that the diagnostic reported a pass and/or fail. Operate the vehicle within the same freeze frame conditions (RPM, engine load, vehicle speed, temperature, etc.). This will isolate when the DTC failed.
    • Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests for the proper operation of the circuit in the high voltage range.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Control Module Connector End Views in Engine Controls - 3.6L (LY7) or Inline Harness Connector End Views in Wiring Systems

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Fuel Level Sensor parameter in the engine control module (ECM) evaporative emission (EVAP) Data list or the IPC ECM Data List.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Fuel Level Sensor parameter is less than the specified value?

0.5 V

Go to Step 3

Go to Diagnostic Aids

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the fuel level sensor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With the scan tool, observe the Fuel Level Sensor parameter.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Fuel Level Sensor parameter is greater than the specified value?

4 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

Test the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

5

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the fuel level sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

6

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

7

Replace the fuel level sensor. Refer to Fuel Level Sensor Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.6L (LY7).

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

8

Replace the ECM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

9

  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK