Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So...

Page 1 of 12

FAULT CODE 429

Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below
Normal or Shorted to Low Source
Overview

CODE REASON EFFECT

Fault Code: 429 Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - None on performance.
PID: P097 Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low No water-in-fuel warning
SPN: 97 Source. Low voltage detected at the water- available.
FMI: 4/4 in-fuel circuit.
LAMP: Amber
SRT:

Water-in-Fuel Sensor Circuit

Circuit Description

The water-in-fuel sensor is attached to the fuel filter. The water-in-fuel sensor sends a
signal to the electronic control module (ECM) when a set volume of water has accumulated
in the fuel filter. The water-in-fuel circuit contains two wires: A return ground and a signal
wire.

Component Location

The water-in-fuel sensor is integrated into the bottom of the OEM supplied suction fuel filter.
The OEM supplied fuel filter is located on the intake side of the engine. For marine
applications the water-in-fuel sensor is mounted in a filter housing which contains a
serviceable element. The filter housing location will vary with each OEM.

Shop Talk

The water-in-fuel sensor is integrated into the fuel filter; it is automatically replaced
whenever the fuel filter is replaced. For marine applications the sensor is not integrated into
the fuel filter and is a serviceable item. Possible causes of this fault code include:

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 2 of 12

z Signal circuit shorted to ground in the harness, sensor, or connector.

Cautions and Warnings

CAUTION
To reduce the possibility of damaging a new ECM, all other active fault
codes must be investigated prior to replacing the ECM.

CAUTION
To reduce the possibility of pin and harness damage, use the following
test lead when taking a measurement:
Part Number 3822758 - male Deutsch/AMP/Metri-Pack test lead.

Troubleshooting Steps

STEPS SPECIFICATIONS
STEP 1. Check the fault codes.
STEP 1A. Check for an active Fault Code 429 active?
fault code.
STEP 2. Check the water-in-fuel sensor.
STEP 2A. Inspect the engine Dirty or damaged pins?
harness and sensor connector
pins.
STEP 2B. Check the circuit Fault Code 428 active and Fault Code
response. 429 inactive?
STEP 2C. Check the fault codes Fault Code 429 is active?
and verify sensor condition.
STEP 3. Check the engine harness.
STEP 3A. Inspect the engine Dirty or damaged pins?
harness, sensor, and ECM
connector pins.
STEP 3B. Check the ECM Fault Code 428 active and Fault Code
response. 429 inactive?
STEP 3C. Check for a short circuit Greater than 100k ohms?
from pin to pin.
STEP 3D. Check for a pin short Greater than 100k ohms?
circuit to ground.
STEP 3E. Check for an inactive Fault Code 429 is inactive?
fault code.

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 3 of 12

STEP 4. Clear the fault codes.

STEP 4A. Disable the fault code. Fault Code 429 inactive?
STEP 4B. Clear the inactive fault All fault codes cleared?
codes.

Guided Step 1 - Check the fault codes.

Guided Step 1A - Check for an active fault code.

Conditions

z Turn keyswitch ON.

z Connect INSITE™ electronic
service tool.

Action

Check for an active fault code.

z Use INSITE™ electronic service

tool, read the fault codes.

Fault Code 429 active? Fault Code 429 active?

YES NO
No Repair No Repair
Inactive or Intermittent Fault Code,
Go to 2A
Procedure 019-362.

Guided Step 2 - Check the water-in-fuel sensor.

Guided Step 2A - Inspect the engine harness and sensor connector pins.

Conditions

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 4 of 12

z Turn keyswitch OFF.

z Disconnect the engine harness
from the water-in-fuel sensor.

Action

Inspect the engine harness and sensor

connector pins for the following:

z Loose connector
z Corroded pins
z Bent or broken pins
z Pushed back or expanded pins
z Moisture in or on the connector
z Missing or damaged connector
seals
z Dirt or debris in or on the
connector pins
z Wire insulation damage
z Connector shell broken.

For general inspection techniques, refer

to Component Connector and Pin
Inspection, Procedure 019-361.

Dirty or damaged pins? Dirty or damaged pins?

YES NO
A defective connection has been detected No Repair
in the ECM connector or engine harness
connector.

Clean the connector and pins.

Repair the damaged harness, connector,

or pins if possible.

Refer to Procedure 019-043.

Go to 4A Go to 2B

Guided Step 2B - Check the circuit response.

Conditions

z Turn keyswitch OFF.

z Disconnect the engine harness
from the water-in-fuel sensor.

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 5 of 12

z Turn keyswitch ON.

z Connect INSITE™ electronic
service tool.

Action

Check for the appropriate ECM

response after 30 seconds.

z Use INSITE™ electronic service

tool, read the fault codes.

Fault Code 428 active and Fault Code Fault Code 428 active and Fault Code
429 inactive? 429 inactive?
YES NO
No Repair No Repair
Go to 2C Go to 3A

Guided Step 2C - Check the fault codes and verify sensor condition.

Conditions

z Turn keyswitch OFF.

z Connect the water-in-fuel sensor to
the engine harness.
z Turn keyswitch ON.
z Connect INSITE™ electronic
service tool.

Action

Check for the appropriate circuit

response after 30 seconds.

z Use INSITE™ electronic service

tool, read the fault codes.

Fault Code 429 is active? Fault Code 429 is active?

YES NO
A defective sensor has been detected. None. The removal and installation of the
connector corrected the failure.
Replace the water-in-fuel sensor.

Refer to Procedure 019-127.

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 6 of 12

Go to 4A Go to 4A

Guided Step 3 - Check the engine harness.

Guided Step 3A - Inspect the engine harness, sensor, and ECM connector
pins.

Conditions

z Turn keyswitch OFF.

z Disconnect the engine harness
from the ECM.
z Disconnect the engine harness
from the water-in-fuel sensor.

Action

Inspect the engine harness, sensor, and

ECM connector pins for the following:

z Loose connector
z Corroded pins
z Bent or broken pins
z Pushed back or expanded pins
z Moisture in or on the connector
z Missing or damaged connector
seals
z Dirt or debris in or on the
connector pins
z Wire insulation damage
z Connector shell broken.

For general inspection techniques, refer

to Component Connector and Pin
Inspection, Procedure 019-361.

Dirty or damaged pins? Dirty or damaged pins?

YES NO
A defective connection has been detected No Repair
in the ECM connector or engine harness
connector.

Clean the connector and pins.

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 7 of 12

Repair the damaged harness, connector,

or pins if possible.

Refer to Procedure 019-043.

Go to 4A Go to 3B

Guided Step 3B - Check the ECM response.

Conditions

z Turn keyswitch OFF.

z Disconnect the engine harness
from the ECM.
z Turn keyswitch ON.
z Connect INSITE™ electronic
service tool electronic service tool.

Action

Check for the appropriate ECM

response after 30 seconds.

z Use INSITE™ electronic service

tool, read the fault codes.

Fault Code 428 active and Fault Code Fault Code 428 active and Fault Code
429 inactive? 429 inactive?
YES NO
No Repair Call for pre-authorization.

Replace the ECM.

Refer to Procedure 019-031.

Go to 3C Go to 4A

Guided Step 3C - Check for a short circuit from pin to pin.

Conditions

z Turn
keyswitch
OFF.

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 8 of 12

z Disconnect
the engine
harness from
the water-in-
fuel sensor.
z Disconnect
the engine
harness from
the ECM.

Action

Check for a short

circuit from pin to
pin.

z Measure the
resistance
between the
water-in-fuel
SIGNAL pin
at the ECM
connector of
the engine
harness and
all other pins
in the ECM
connector.

Refer to the circuit

diagram or wiring
diagram for
connector pin
identification.

For general
resistance
measurement
techniques, refer
to the Resistance
Measurements
Using a Multimeter
and Wiring
Diagram,
Procedure 019-
360.

Greater than 100k Greater than 100k ohms?

ohms?
YES NO
No Repair A short circuit has been detected in the engine harness.

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low So... Page 9 of 12

Repair or replace the engine harness.

Refer to Procedure 019-043.

Go to 3D Go to 4A

Guided Step 3D - Check for a pin short circuit to ground.

Conditions

z Turn
keyswitch
OFF.
z Disconnect
the engine
harness from
the ECM.
z Disconnect
the water-in-
fuel sensor
from the
engine
harness.

Action

Check for a pin to

ground short.

z Measure the
resistance
between the
water-in-fuel
sensor
SIGNAL pin
in the engine
harness
ECM
connector
and ground.

Refer to the circuit

diagram or wiring
diagram for
connector pin
identification.

For general
resistance

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low ... Page 10 of 12

measurement
techniques, refer
to the Resistance
Measurements
Using a Multimeter
and Wiring
Diagram,
Procedure 019-
360.

Greater than 100k Greater than 100k ohms?

ohms?
YES NO
No Repair A pin to ground short circuit on the SIGNAL line has been
detected in the engine harness.

Repair or replace the engine harness.

Refer to Procedure 019-043.

Go to 3E Go to 4A

Guided Step 3E - Check for an inactive fault code.

Conditions

z Connect all components.

z Turn keyswitch ON.
z Connect INSITE™ electronic
service tool.

Action

Check for the appropriate circuit

response after 30 seconds.

z Use INSITE™ electronic service

tool, read the fault codes.

Fault Code 429 is inactive? Fault Code 429 is inactive?

YES NO
None. The removal and installation of the Troubleshooting procedures need to be
connector corrected the failure. repeated from the beginning. A failure
mode should have been detected.

Go to 4A Go to 1A

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low ... Page 11 of 12

Guided Step 4 - Clear the fault codes.

Guided Step 4A - Disable the fault code.

Conditions

z Connect all components.

z Connect INSITE™ electronic
service tool.

Action

Disable the fault code.

z Start the engine and let it idle for

one minute.
z Use INSITE™ electronic service
tool, verify that the fault code is
inactive.

Fault Code 429 inactive? Fault Code 429 inactive?

YES NO
No Repair No Repair
Go to 4B Go to 1A

Guided Step 4B - Clear the inactive fault codes.

Conditions

z Connect all components.

z Turn keyswitch ON.
z Connect INSITE™ electronic
service tool.

Action

Clear the inactive fault codes.

z Use INSITE™ electronic service

10:41:26 2007-07-20
Water-in-Fuel Indicator Sensor Circuit - Voltage Below Normal or Shorted to Low ... Page 12 of 12

tool erase the inactive fault codes.

All fault codes cleared? All fault codes cleared?

YES NO
No Repair No Repair
Repair complete Appropriate troubleshooting steps

Last Modified: 21-Mar-2005

Copyright© 2005
Cummins, Inc.
All rights reserved

10:41:26 2007-07-20