Gas gauge update slow

[RoadBully]

Your supposed to turn the key off so the gauge resets itself. The check gauge light will always be one when the motor isn't running because there is no oil pressure.

I think you misunderstood,
The check guage light was on as we were driving down the road, after I turned the truck back on. There was also already 1/4 of a tank of fuel in there already.
But you are right as far as the reset was involved.
I pulled over, shut off the truck, turned it back on and everything was fine.

Ben.

 

[tower]

For those interested


TSB 06-2-12

02/06/06

MIL ON WITH PCM DTC P0463 AND/OR IC DTC
B1201 - FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY OR SLOW
TO UPDATE AFTER REFUELING

FORD:
2002-2006 Explorer

LINCOLN:
2003-2005 Aviator

MERCURY:
2002-2006 Mountaineer

This article supersedes TSB 05-21-3 to update the Service Procedure.

ISSUE
Some 2002-2006 Explorer/Mountaineer and 2003-2005 Aviator vehicles may exhibit a customer complaint of the fuel gauge being slow to read full after refueling, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0463, instrument cluster DTC B1201, and/or the fuel gauge dropping to empty. This may be due to the fuel level sender assembly sending incorrect data to the instrument cluster and/or powertrain control module (PCM).

ACTION
Refer to the following General Information for a description of two (2) modes of fuel gauge operation prior to following the TSB Service Procedure. This brief explanation of current fuel gauge strategy will help ensure the correct diagnosis is made. The fuel gauge on these vehicles has several distinct modes of operation. The difference in the various modes is the speed at which the fuel gauge pointer moves in relationship to fuel level input from the fuel level sender. After reviewing the General Information, refer to the TSB Service Procedure.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fuel gauge strategy provides several modes of operation. One being referred to as Fast Acquire Mode and another as Slosh Mode. The time for the fuel gauge pointer to move from "E" to "F" can be 2 seconds, 17 minutes or 55 minutes depending on build date and which mode the fuel gauge is in.

Fast Acquire Mode:

The 2-second "E" to "F" mode is referred to as Fast Acquire Mode. Fast Acquire Mode strategy requires two (2) conditions to be met before the fuel gauge indications can be updated. First, at least four (4) gallons of fuel must be added to the fuel tank. Second, the Instrument Cluster must acquire a valid Key-ON fuel sender reading within 1 second of the key being put in the Run position. The Key-ON sample reading is considered valid if the fuel sender reading is between 10 and 160 ohms. If both of these conditions are not met, the fuel gauge stays in Slosh mode. If the Cluster does not go into Fast Acquire Mode after a refueling event, the system will stay in Slosh Mode. This will result in a slow to Read Full event.

Slosh Mode:

The 55-minute "E" to "F" mode is referred to as Slosh Mode. In Slosh Mode, this is 55 accumulated minutes of the key in the Run position. Unless the conditions are met to put the fuel gauge into one of the other operating modes, the default is Slosh Mode. Example: If a customer operates their vehicle 11 minutes per day, it will take 5 days to accumulate 55 minutes of run time. This means it will take 5 days for the fuel gauge to go from "E" to "F".

NOTE SLOSH MOD[ STRATEGY WAS REDUCED FROM 55 MINUTES TO 17 MINUTES FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 12/22/2004.

NOTE IT IS IMPORTANT TO THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND THE CUSTOMER CONDITION BEING REPORTED.

It is important to determine if the customer has a fuel gauge that slowly gets to full or has a fuel gauge that never gets to "F" (stuck) when the fuel tank is filled. If the fuel gauge slowly goes from "E" to "F" (in 55 minutes of key in the Run position or less), the problem is most likely not in the cluster. It is absolutely imperative that the appropriate pinpoint test(s), located in the Workshop Manual or this TSB, be completed for this customer complaint to determine root cause of the condition. Root causes may include but are not limited to: the Fuel Sender, Fuel Tank, Wiring, or Instrument Cluster

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage

DEALER CODING

 

[RoadBully]

Great Article, thanks for the info.


Ben.

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

I had no way of posting that, as Mitchell OnDemand won't allow a "cut and paste" off their pages. I even tried to save it as a Word document, then paste it from there, but no cigar. However you got it, great job.

 

[wi-dogfish]

here's how i fixed mine...

Hi,

Go to your auto parts store and get a can of techron fuel cleaner. It will clean up your device that sends info to gas gauge. dealer told me to do this and it worked for me. I was really suprised this worked but he said it was about a 50/50 chance it would work.

Can't loose much by trying this and my wife is happy.

 

[Donner]

Nice!^^ And less than $8.00. and keep using Chevron...

 

[MBowling85]

Help

So I have a 2002 Explorer Limitd 4x4 with 80,800 miles. I was driving home last night and the "service engine soon" light came on and I noticed that my MPG spiked from 15.8 to 28 then to 34 and all over the place, and my fuel guage needle was still on full after driving 100 miles post fill-up. I stopped by advance and the error code was "P0461 Fuel level sensor circuit range/performance problem." Does anyone know what this means, or have any possible solutions?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I would disconnect the negative battery terminal, and let it sit unconnected for a half hour or so. Then reconnect and start the truck. It might not come back on, or might not come back on until you fill up.