Fuel Gauge Inaccurate

FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE

POSSIBLE CAUSES
- Fuel level sensor DTC present
- Intermittent condition
- Fuel level sensor
- Instrument cluster

DIAGNOSTIC TEST

1. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DTC PRESENT

NOTE: Diagnose and repair any PCM Fuel Level DTCs before proceeding with this test.

With the scan tool, read DTCs.

Q: Does the scan tool display any Fuel Level Sensor DTCs?

YES: Refer to symptom list for problems related to Fuel Level Sensor DTCs.
NO: Go To 2

2. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Perform the Instrument Cluster Self Test.
Depress and hold the Trip Odometer reset button while turning the ignition on.

NOTE: The Instrument Cluster Self Test can also be performed using the scan tool.

Observe the Fuel Gauge calibration points during the Self Test.
The Fuel Gauge indicator needle should pause at the following positions:
Off: Empty Stop below "E"
Calibration Point 1: "1/4"
Calibration Point 2: "1/2"
Calibration Point 3: "F"
Calibration Point 4: "3/4"
Calibration Point 5: "1/2"
Calibration Point 6: "1/4"
Calibration Point 7: "E"

Q: Did the Fuel Gauge needle pause at the correct calibration points?

YES: Go To 3
NO: Replace and configure the Instrument Cluster.
Perform BODY VERIFICATION TEST - VER 1. Body Verification Test

3. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR
With the scan tool, select Body, MIC, then Monitors.
Read the Fuel Tank Level Volts.
Compare the Fuel Tank Level Volts displayed by the scan tool to the Fuel Gauge using the following values:
4.3 - 3.19 volts (Approximately 220 - 200 Ohms of Fuel Sensor Resistance) = "E"
2.56 volts (Approximately 160 Ohms of Fuel Sensor Resistance) = "1/4"
1.91 volts (Approximately 120 Ohms of Fuel Sensor Resistance) = "1/2"
1.27 volts (Approximately 80 Ohms of Fuel Sensor Resistance) = "3/4"
0.319 -.646 volts (Approximately 20 - 40 Ohms of Fuel Sensor Resistance) = "F"

NOTE: Fuel Tank Level Voltage should be within ± 0.2 volts.

Q: Is the displayed Fuel Tank Level voltage correct?

YES: The condition is not present at this time. Monitor scan tool parameters while wiggling the related wire harness. Refer to any Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) that may apply. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connector terminals.
NO: Replace the Fuel Level Sensor.
Perform BODY VERIFICATION TEST - VER 1. Body Verification Test