Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative. Pontiac Pursuit 2006

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2006 🢒 Pursuit 🢒 Body 🢒 Wiring Systems 🢒 Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative

Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative 2.0L and 2.2L

Diagnostic Aids

•	Ensure that the fuel level is in the same range as the customer concern.

•	For intermittent diagnosis, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

•	Refer to Fuel Level Specifications in order to verify the correct fuel level sensor readings. The Fuel Level Sensor parameter is available on the scan tool in the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM) EVAP Data list.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

This step tests for a high resistance in the signal circuit and the low reference circuit of the fuel level sensor.

DTCs will be set in the ECM/PCM when you perform this diagnostic table.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views for the 2.0L engine, Engine Control Module Connector End Views for the 2.2L engine, or Engine Control Module Connector End Views for the 2.4L engine

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

Disconnect C305.
Connect the J 33431-C Signal Generator and Instrument Panel Tester between the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor and the low reference circuit of the fuel level sensor on the male terminal side.
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Important: Verify the J 33431-C resistance settings with a DMM.

Vary the resistance on the J 33431-C from 40-250 ohms.
Refer to Fuel Level Specifications in order to convert from resistance to fuel gage display.

Does the fuel gage display the correct fuel level?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

Install a scan tool.
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Important: Verify the J 33431-C resistance settings with a DMM.

Vary the resistance on the J 33431-C from 40-250 ohms.
Refer to Fuel Level Specifications in order to convert from resistance to fuel level percent.

Important: Turn the ignition OFF momentarily between the resistance settings in order to quickly update the scan tool display.

With the scan tool, observe the Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter in the ECM/PCM EVAP Data List.

Does the Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter display the correct fuel level percentage?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

Inspect for the following items:

•	A poor connection at the harness connector of the fuel level sensor--Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

•	A high resistance in the signal circuit or the low reference circuit between the fuel level sensor and C406

•	A misaligned fuel level sender

•	A deformed fuel tank

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 7

Test the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor for a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 6

Test the low reference circuit of the fuel level sensor for a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

Remove the fuel level sender.
Inspect for the following items:

•	A stuck fuel level sensor, i.e. the fuel strainer interfering with the sender float arm

•	Foreign material in the fuel tank, i.e. ice

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 8

With the DMM, measure the resistance of the fuel level sensor while moving the float arm.
Observe both the analog and digital displays on the DMM.

Does the resistance change smoothly across the specified range?

40-250 ohms

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 10

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

Replace the fuel level sender. Refer to the following:

•	Fuel Pump Module Replacement for the 2.0L engine

•	Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 2.2L engine

•	Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 2.4L engine

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

Replace the instrument panel cluster (IPC). Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

Replace the ECM/PCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

Use the scan tool in order to clear the ECM/PCM DTCs.
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2

Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative 2.4L

Diagnostic Fault Information

Important: Always perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit	Short to Ground	Open/High Resistance	Short to Voltage	Signal Performance
Fuel Level Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit	P0462	--		P0461
Fuel Level Sensor Signal Circuit	P0462	P0463 1	P0463	P0461
Fuel Level Sensor Low Reference Circuit	--	P0463 1	P0463	P0461
1. Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative

Circuit/System Description

The fuel level sensor changes resistance in response to the 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 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 percentage of remaining fuel in the tank. The ECM sends the fuel level percentage via the GMLAN serial data circuit to the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends the fuel information to the instrument panel cluster via the GMLAN serial data circuit in order to control the fuel gage and display the fuel level. The fuel information is also used for misfire and evaporative emission (EVAP) diagnostics.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

•	Instrument Cluster Schematics

•	Engine Controls Schematics for the 2.4L engine.

Connector End View Reference

•	Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console Connector End Views

•	Engine Control Module Connector End Views for the 2.4L engine.

Electrical Information Reference

•	Circuit Testing

•	Connector Repairs

•	Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

•	Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Scan Tool Data List

Circuit/System Testing

Ignition OFF, disconnect the fuel level sensor connector, install a signal generator and instrument panel tester between the signal circuit and the low reference circuit.
Ignition ON, vary the resistance on the signal generator from 40 ohms - 250 ohms. With the scan tool verify that the Fuel Tank Level Remaining parameter displays the correct fuel level percent. Refer to Fuel Level Specifications .

⇒	If the fuel level percent is incorrect, test the signal circuit and the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If all circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

Ignition ON, vary the resistance on the signal generator from 40 ohms - 250 ohms. Observe the fuel gage and verify that the fuel gage displays the correct fuel level. Refer to Fuel Level Specifications .

⇒	If the fuel gage display is incorrect, test or replace the fuel gage.

If all circuits test normal, test or replace the fuel level sensor.

Component Testing

Measure the resistance of the float arm of the fuel level sender while moving the float arm between 40-250 ohms.

Repair Instructions

Important: Always perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

•	Fuel Level Sensor Replacement for the 2.4L engine.

•	Control Module References for the ECM and IPC replacement, setup, and programming.