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P0463 Generic (SAE)

Fuel Level Sensor A Circuit High

Updated 2026-10-02 · Auxiliary emission controls

Severity
Low
Typical repair cost
40 – 500 EUR
System
Powertrain

What it means

P0463 is set when the fuel level sender signal rises above the maximum plausible voltage, typically over 4.8 V on a 5 V circuit or at the pull-up level. This corresponds to an open circuit: a broken wire, unplugged connector, open sender track or missing sender ground. The module sees infinite resistance, which on most systems is interpreted as empty, so the gauge drops to empty and the low fuel light comes on even with a full tank.

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Symptoms

  • Fuel gauge drops to empty immediately after start, regardless of fuel level
  • Low fuel warning light permanently on
  • Range display shows zero or dashes
  • Gauge may flicker between correct and empty over bumps (intermittent open)
  • Check engine light with EVAP monitor incomplete

Common causes

  1. Open sender resistor track, usually at the frequently used position, or broken wiper spring
  2. Connector on the pump module corroded or terminal backed out; connector left unplugged after pump replacement
  3. Broken signal or ground wire in the tank harness, often at the pump module flange where the wires flex
  4. Corroded ground point for the tank module on the body
  5. Sender float fallen off its arm or sunk, reading empty
  6. Faulty instrument cluster input (rare)

How to diagnose

  1. Read fuel level in live data: 0 percent with signal voltage at 5 V (or the module's pull-up) confirms an open circuit.
  2. Access the pump module connector. With it plugged in and key on, back-probe the signal: 5 V means open downstream (sender or tank harness). Unplug and measure sender resistance at the module pins: infinite = open sender or internal wire; a value matching the fuel level (e.g. 40-250 ohm) = the fault is in the vehicle harness.
  3. Check the sender ground: measure resistance from the sender ground pin to battery negative; must be under 1 ohm. Clean the body ground point if higher.
  4. Jumper test: bridge the signal and ground pins at the harness connector with a 100 ohm resistor and watch the gauge; it should move to the corresponding level. If it does, the harness and cluster are fine and the sender is at fault.
  5. Open the pump module and inspect the sender: broken wiper spring, cracked track, detached float. Move the arm through its range and confirm continuous resistance change.
  6. Replace the sender or module, reconnect and verify the gauge and live data agree with the known fuel quantity; clear codes.

Frequently asked questions

The gauge shows empty but I just filled up. Is the car safe to drive?

Yes, there is no engine effect. The ECM may limit the EVAP test and the gauge is useless until repaired, so track fuel by distance.

The code came after a fuel pump replacement. Why?

Most likely the sender connector inside the module was not fully seated, or the new pump module came with a sender of a different resistance range for a different market.

Can I repair the sender wire?

Inside the tank only with fuel-resistant terminals and crimps; soldered joints and standard heat-shrink degrade in fuel. Many workshops replace the module instead.

Related codes

P0460P0461P0462P0464

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