Chevrolet Trax: DTC P0461-P0464 (FWD): Fuel level sensor

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 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/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 serial data to the body control module (BCM). The BCM then sends the fuel level percentage via serial data to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gauge.

Conditions for Running the DTC

• The engine is running
• The system voltage is between 11-16 V

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0461 00

The ECM detects a change in fuel level of less than a specified amount (typically 3-10 L or 0.8-2.6 gal) over a specified driving distance (typically 240-320 km or 150-200 miles).

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 (Encore), Instrument Cluster Schematics (Trax)

Connector End View Reference

WIRING SYSTEMS AND POWER MANAGEMENT - COMPONENT CONNECTOR END VIEWS - INDEX - ENCORE WIRING SYSTEMS AND POWER MANAGEMENT - COMPONENT

CONNECTOR END VIEWS - INDEX - TRAX

Description and Operation

Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

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

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions (LUV) , Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions (2H0)

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

1. Ignition ON.
2. Verify the scan tool Fuel Remaining in Tank parameter is between 5-95% and varies with fuel level.

• If not between 5-95% or does not vary with fuel level

Refer to Circuit/System Testing.

• If between 5-95% and varies with fuel level

3. Verify that all fuel level gauge segments illuminate when performing the scan tool Driver Information Center Segments control function.

• If any fuel level gauge segments do not illuminate

Replace the P16 Instrument Cluster

• If all fuel level gauge segments illuminate

4. All OK.

Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF and all vehicle systems OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the A7 Fuel Pump and Level Sensor Assembly. It may take up to 2 minutes for all vehicle systems to power down.
2. Test for less than 10 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal 3 and ground.

If 10 ohms or greater

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K20 Engine Control Module.
2. Test for less than 2 ohms in the low reference circuit end to end.

• If 2 ohms or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
• If less than 2 ohms, replace the K20 Engine Control Module.

If less than 10 ohms

3. Ignition ON.
4. Test for less than 1 V between the low reference circuit and ground.

If 1 V or greater

Repair the short to voltage on the circuit.

If less than 1 V

5. Verify the scan tool Remaining Fuel In Tank parameter is greater than 95%.

If 95% or less

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K20 Engine Control Module, ignition ON.
2. Test for less than 1 V between the signal circuit and ground.

• If 1 V or greater, repair the short to voltage on the circuit.
• If less than 1 V, replace the K20 Engine Control Module.
• If greater than 95%

6. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K20 Engine Control Module, ignition ON.
7. Test for infinite resistance between the signal circuit terminal 4 and ground.

• If less than infinite resistance

Repair the short to ground on the circuit.

• If infinite resistance

8. Ignition OFF
9. Test for less than 2 ohms in the signal circuit end to end.

If 2 ohms or greater

Repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.

If less than 2 ohms

10. Test or replace the B46 Fuel Level Sensor.

Component Testing

1. Ignition OFF, remove the A7 Fuel Pump and Level Sensor Assembly.
2. Sweep the Fuel Level Sensor through its full range of motion while measuring resistance between the signal terminal 4 and the low reference terminal 3.
3. Test for a minimum resistance value of 37-43 ohms and a maximum value of 245-255 ohms without any spikes or dropouts.

• If minimum resistance is not 37-43 ohms, maximum resistance is not 245-255 ohms, or if there are any spikes or dropouts

Replace the B46 Fuel Level Sensor.

• If minimum resistance is 37-43 ohms, maximum resistance is 245-255 ohms, and if there are no spikes or dropouts

4. All OK.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair.

• Displays and Gauges Component Replacement Reference
• Control Module References for the Engine Control Module replacement, programming and setup

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