P0462: Fuel level sensor circuit low input
The ECU sees too low a voltage in the fuel tank sender circuit. It is usually a wire shorting to earth, the connector or the sender itself.
| Code | P0462 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P04xx, Emissions control |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0462 means
The sender sends a voltage that changes with the height of the float in the tank. Low input means the ECU sees a voltage below what should be possible, almost always an electrical problem. The gauge often reads empty even when there is fuel in the tank.
Most common causes
- Sender signal wire shorted to earth
- Damp or corroded sender connector
- Sender shorted internally
- Instrument cluster fault on some models
Symptoms
- Fuel gauge reading empty or very low with a full tank
- Low fuel warning permanently on
- Engine warning light on
Can you drive with P0462?
With care The engine runs normally, but the gauge is useless. Work out your range from the mileage so you do not run out of fuel.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Check the live sender voltage or level on your scanner. If it reads zero with a full tank, unplug the tank connector: if the reading jumps to maximum, the wiring is fine and the sender is at fault.
How to read and clear P0462 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0462 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P045E The exhaust gas recirculation B control has got stuck
- P045F The exhaust gas recirculation B control has got stuck
- P0460 Fuel level sensor circuit malfunction
- P0461 Fuel level sensor circuit range/performance
- P0463 Fuel level sensor circuit high input
- P0464 The fuel level sensor fails now and then
- P0465 The purge flow sensor has an electrical fault
- P0466 The purge flow sensor gives readings outside the normal range
- P0400 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow malfunction
- P0401 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
- P0402 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow excessive
- P0403 EGR control circuit malfunction
To understand it properly
We explain how that system works, with drawings and no waffle, in our mechanics guide: Fuel.
What does code P0462 mean?
The sender sends a voltage that changes with the height of the float in the tank. Low input means the ECU sees a voltage below what should be possible, almost always an electrical problem. The gauge often reads empty even when there is fuel in the tank.
Can you drive with P0462?
The engine runs normally, but the gauge is useless. Work out your range from the mileage so you do not run out of fuel.
How do you clear P0462?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0462 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
