Circuit Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender changes resistance based on fuel level. The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the signal circuits of the primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender in order to determine the fuel level. When the fuel tank is full, the resistance of both fuel level senders are high and the PCM senses a high signal voltage on both the signal circuits of the primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender. When the fuel tanks are empty, the resistance of the fuel level senders are low and the PCM senses a low signal voltage. The PCM uses the signal circuits of the primary fuel level sender and the secondary fuel level sender in order to calculate the percentage of remaining fuel in the tank. The PCM sends the fuel level percentage via the class 2 serial data circuit to the instrument cluster in order to control the fuel gage. The fuel level information is also used for misfire and evaporative emissions (EVAP) diagnostics.

This diagnostic tests for a stuck secondary fuel level sender signal. The PCM sets this DTC if the secondary fuel level sender signal appears to be stuck based on a lack of signal variation expected during normal operation.