GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • 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.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0461: Fuel Level Sensor Performance

Diagnostic Fault Information

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

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 low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. When the fuel tank is empty, the sensor resistance 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 total remaining fuel (percent) in the tank. The ECM sends the fuel level percent via the serial data circuit to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to control the fuel gage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • The ECM has confirmed that the fuel tank is between 15-85 percent full.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM does not detect a change in fuel level of at least 3.0L (0.79 gal) over a distance of 320 km (200 mi).

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The fuel gage defaults to empty.
    • The low fuel indicator illuminates.
    • The ECM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The ECM stores 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

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, remove the fuel level sender and verify there are no obstructions interfering with the fuel level sender.
  2. If any interference is present, repair the fuel sender interference.
  3. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the fuel level sensor.
  4. 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 B and the low reference terminal C.
  5. If not within the specified range, replace the fuel level sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Fuel Level Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for the ECM replacement, setup, and programming