Fuel Level Sender (Float and Card)

The fuel level sender is mounted to the fuel pump and sender unit. The fuel level sender is a dual sweep potentiometer style resistor connected to a float mechanism. Each sweep has multiple fingers that reduces intermittent loss of data. As the fuel level changes, the float rises or falls with the fuel level moving the sweep arm across the resistor wires. This movement either increases or decreases the resistance through the unit. The fuel level sensor resistance ranges from 180 ohms +/- 4 ohms to 10 ohms +/- 2 ohms. When the fuel level is low, the fuel level sensor resistance is high. When the fuel level is high, the fuel level sensor resistance is low.

The fuel pump and sender unit is hardwired to the IPC through separate signal and return circuits. The fuel level return circuits are grounded internally in the IPC. The IPC provides a reference voltage on the fuel level signal circuit. As the fuel level changes, the change in resistance raises or lowers the fuel level signal voltage depending on the resistance of the fuel level sender. The IPC converts the fuel level signals and sends them to the PCM through the GWM.