P0463: Fuel level sensor circuit high input
The ECU sees too high a voltage in the fuel level sender circuit. Typically a broken wire, an unplugged connector or an open sender.
| Code | P0463 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P04xx, Emissions control |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0463 means
The tank sender sends a voltage according to the fuel level. High input means the ECU sees a voltage above what should be possible, usually because the circuit is open or a wire is touching a live feed. The gauge often sits on full or at one end of the scale.
Most common causes
- Sender connector unplugged or with loose pins
- Broken signal or earth wire
- Open circuit in the sender resistor or float at its end stop
- Bare wire touching a positive feed
- Instrument cluster fault on some models
Symptoms
- Fuel gauge always on full or stuck at one end
- Gauge not dropping as fuel is used
- Engine warning light on
Can you drive with P0463?
With care The engine is not affected, but the gauge is misleading and you could run out of fuel. Work out your range from the mileage.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Watch the live sender level or voltage. If it always shows maximum, check the tank connector and the continuity of the sender’s earth wire.
How to read and clear P0463 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 P0463 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
- P045F The exhaust gas recirculation B control has got stuck
- P0460 Fuel level sensor circuit malfunction
- P0461 Fuel level sensor circuit range/performance
- P0462 Fuel level sensor circuit low 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
- P0467 The purge flow sensor gives a lower signal than normal
- 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 P0463 mean?
The tank sender sends a voltage according to the fuel level. High input means the ECU sees a voltage above what should be possible, usually because the circuit is open or a wire is touching a live feed. The gauge often sits on full or at one end of the scale.
Can you drive with P0463?
The engine is not affected, but the gauge is misleading and you could run out of fuel. Work out your range from the mileage.
How do you clear P0463?
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, P0463 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.
