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HOMESERVICE MANUALSCHEVROLET2001CAVALIER LS, 2.4 TREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISEXTERNAL PAGESDIFFERENT CARSECTION 8 (ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - 5.7L)DIAGNOSTIC TESTSDTC P0461: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE ("Y" BODY)DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier LS, 2.4 T

Diagnostic Procedures

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier LS, 2.4 TSECTION Diagnostic Procedures
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2000 Pontiac Firebird, 2000 Chevrolet Corvette, and 2000 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Perform On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system check. See ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM CHECK  under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. After performing OBD system check, go to next step.
  2. Recheck for other DTCs. If DTC P1431 is also set, go to next step. If DTC P1431 is not set, go to step  15.
  3. Disconnect fuel feed (siphon jet pump feed) pipe rear crossover pipe (upper) from right fuel tank sending unit. Insert fuel feed crossover pipe into an approved gasoline container. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on. Check fuel volume for 10 seconds. If fuel volume is greater than.63 pints (300 ml), go to next step. If fuel volume is not greater than.63 pints (300 ml), go to step  21.
  4. Reconnect fuel feed pipe to right fuel tank sending unit. Disconnect fuel feed (siphon jet pump feed) pipe rear crossover pipe (upper) from left fuel tank sending unit. Insert fuel feed crossover pipe into an approved gasoline container. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on. Check fuel volume for 8 seconds. If fuel volume is greater than.70 pints (333 ml), go to next step. If fuel volume is not greater than.70 pints (333 ml), go to step  22.
  5. Reconnect fuel feed pipe to right fuel tank. Disconnect left fuel level sensor harness connector. Jumper left fuel level sensor signal circuit to a known-good ground. Using scan tool, monitor left fuel level sensor voltage. If voltage reading is about zero volts, go to next step. If voltage reading is not about zero volts, go to step  24.
  6. Jumper left fuel sensor signal circuit to ground circuit. Monitor left fuel level sensor voltage on scan tool. If voltage reading is about zero volts, go to next step. If voltage reading is not about zero volts, go to step  25.
  7. Disconnect right fuel level sensor harness connector. Jumper right fuel tank level sensor signal circuit to a known-good ground. Monitor right fuel tank level sensor voltage on scan tool. If voltage reading is about zero volts, go to next step. If voltage reading is not about zero volts, go to step  26.
  8. Jumper right fuel sensor signal circuit to ground circuit. Monitor right fuel level sensor voltage on scan tool. If voltage reading is about zero volts, go to next step. If voltage reading is not about zero volts, go to step  26.
  9. Turn ignition off. Reconnect both fuel level sensor harness connectors. If fuel tank if full, go to next step. If fuel tank is not full, go to step  11.
  10. Turn ignition on, with engine off. Check both fuel level sensor voltages. If voltage reading is about 2.5 volts, see DIAGNOSTIC AIDS . If voltage reading is not about 2.5 volts, go to step  20.
  11. If fuel tank level is more than 1/2 tank, go to step  13. If fuel tank level is not more than 1/2 tank, go to next step.
  12. Turn ignition off. Fill fuel tank to full. After filling fuel tank, go to next step.
  13. Start and operate engine at idle for 10 minutes. Turn engine off and let vehicle sit for 2 hours. Monitor and record fuel level sensor voltages for both fuel tanks. Start engine and operate for 10 minutes. Monitor and compare fuel level sensor voltages from previous reading. If fuel level sensor voltage for left tank increased, go to next step. If fuel tank level sensor voltage for left tank did not increase, go to step  29.
  14. Monitor right fuel tank fuel level sensor voltage. If right fuel level sensor voltage decreased, see DIAGNOSTIC AIDS . If right fuel tank level sensor voltage did not decrease, go to step  30.
  15. Disconnect fuel feed (siphon jet pump feed) rear crossover pipe (upper) from right fuel tank sending unit. Insert fuel feed rear crossover pipe into an approved gasoline container. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on for 10 seconds. Measure fuel volume. If fuel volume is greater than.63 pints (300 ml), go to next step. If fuel volume is not greater than.63 pints (300 ml), go to step  21.
  16. Reconnect fuel feed pipe to right fuel tank sending unit. Disconnect fuel feed (siphon jet pump feed) rear crossover pipe (upper) from left fuel tank sending unit. Insert fuel feed rear crossover pipe into an approved fuel container. Using scan tool, command fuel pump on for 8 seconds. Measure fuel volume. If fuel volume is greater than.70 pints (333 ml), go to next step. If fuel volume is not greater than.70 pints (333 ml), go to step  22.
  17. Disconnect left fuel level sensor harness connector. Jumper left fuel level sensor signal circuit to an known-good ground. Using scan tool, monitor left fuel level sensor voltage. If voltage reading is about zero volts, go to next step. If voltage reading is not about zero volts, go to step  24.
  18. Jumper left fuel signal circuit to ground circuit. Using scan tool, monitor left fuel level sensor voltage. If voltage reading is about zero volts, go to next step. If voltage reading is not about zero volts, go to step  25.
  19. Turn ignition off. Remove left tank sending unit assembly. Check fuel sending unit for a stuck sender. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step  31. If no problem is found, go to step  29.
  20. Replace faulty fuel sender assembly. After replacing fuel sender assembly, go to step  31.
  21. Repair fuel lines between fuel tanks for restrictions, kinked line, faulty connection or improper routing. After repairs, go to step  31.
  22. Check fuel lines between fuel tanks for restrictions, kinked line, faulty connection or improper routing. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step  31. If no problem is found, go to next step.
  23. Replace right tank fuel level sensor. After replacing sensor, go to step  31.
  24. Disconnect PCM harness connector. Check left fuel tank level sensor signal circuit for open, short to ground or high resistance. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step  31. If circuit is okay, go to step  27.
  25. Disconnect PCM harness connector. Check left fuel tank level sensor ground circuit for open, short to ground or high resistance. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step  31. If circuit is okay, go to step  27.
  26. Disconnect PCM harness connector. Check right fuel tank level sensor signal circuit for open, short to ground or high resistance. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step  31. If circuit is okay, go to next step.
  27. Check for poor connection at PCM. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step  31. If connection is okay, go to next step.
  28. Replace PCM. Program replacement PCM using required equipment. After replacing PCM, go to step  31.
  29. Replace left tank fuel level sensor. After replacing sensor, go to step  31.
  30. Replace right tank fuel level sensor. After replacing sensor, go to step  31.
  31. Using scan tool, select DTC, CLEAR INFO function. Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Select DTC, SPECIFIC, then enter this DTC. Operate vehicle within conditions for setting this DTC. If scan tool indicates that this test ran and passed, go to next step. If scan tool does not indicate that this test ran and passed, repeat step  2.
  32. Using scan tool, select CAPTURE INFO, REVIEW INFO function. If any undiagnosed DTCs are displayed, go to applicable DTC test.
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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.