Low Fuel Indicator

The low fuel indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.

The low fuel indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the level of fuel in the fuel tank becomes low. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic fuel level messages received by the cluster from the totally integrated power module over the controller area network data bus.

The low fuel indicator LED is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn ON the indicator for the following reasons:

• >>Bulb Test<< - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position the low fuel indicator is illuminated for about 3 seconds as a bulb test.
• >>Less Than 11 Percent Tank Full Message<< - The TIPM provides a constant current source to the fuel level sending unit and monitors a return input on a fuel level sense circuit. The resistance through the fuel level sending unit increases as the fuel level rises and decreases as the fuel level falls causing changes in the fuel level sense input voltage. The TIPM then sends the appropriate electronic fuel level messages to the cluster. Each time the fuel level messages to the cluster indicate the fuel tank is about 11 percent full or less for 10 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is zero, or for 60 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than zero, the gauge needle is moved to the appropriate position on the gauge scale, the low fuel indicator is illuminated, and a single chime tone is sounded. The low fuel indicator remains illuminated until the fuel level messages indicate that the fuel tank is greater than about 14 percent full for 10 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is zero, or for 60 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than zero, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first. The chime tone feature will only repeat during the same ignition cycle if the low fuel indicator is cycled OFF and then ON again by the appropriate messages from the TIPM.
• >>Less Than Empty Stop Message<< - Each time the cluster receives a fuel level message indicating the fuel level in the fuel tank is less than the E gauge needle stop position for 5 consecutive seconds, the gauge needle is moved to the low end of the gauge scale and the low fuel indicator is illuminated immediately. This input would indicate that the fuel level sense input to the TIPM is a short circuit.
• >>More Than Full Stop Message<< - Each time the cluster receives a fuel level message indicating the fuel level in the fuel tank is more than the F gauge needle stop position for 10 consecutive seconds, the gauge needle is moved to the low end of the gauge scale and the low fuel indicator is illuminated immediately. This input would indicate that the fuel level sense input to the TIPM is an open circuit.

The TIPM continually monitors the fuel tank sending unit to determine the level of fuel in the fuel tank. The TIPM then sends the proper electronic fuel level message to the electromechanical instrument cluster and other electronic modules in the vehicle over the CAN data bus. The TIPM will store a DTC for any fault detected in the fuel level sense circuit.

A diagnostic scan tool is required for proper diagnosis of the fuel tank sending unit, the TIPM, the EMIC, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to low fuel indicator operation or fuel level data processing. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.