What Does Code P0463 Mean?
- P0463 definition: Fuel Level Sensor Circuit High Input
- Issue Severity: LOW – Continued driving for a short period of time is okay
- Repair Urgency: Get this fixed within the next month to avoid running out of gas.
- Diagnosis: This trouble code will not prevent your vehicle from running. The most common result(s) is being unable to tell the fuel level of your vehicle. However, if left unsolved, this code could increase the likelihood of your vehicle running out of gas, putting the driver into an inconvenient situation. Use the FIXD Sensor and app to diagnose and fix P0463 yourself, see the most likely fix and cost for this code, access our Mechanic Hotline, and more.
The P0463 code is triggered when your vehicle’s powertrain control module (PCM) detects inaccurate fuel level readings from the fuel level sensor. The fuel level sensor alerts the PCM of the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. As a result of this code, the check engine light is illuminated due to the fuel level sensor indicating there’s more fuel in the tank than the tank can physically hold.
P0463 Causes
There are many potential causes of code P0463.
- Faulty fuel level sensor
- Faulty fuel pump
- Malfunctioning fuel level sensor float
- Faulty gauge cluster
- Damaged fuel tank
- Frayed wiring/connection to fuel sensor harness
P0463 Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Fuel light
- Fluctuating fuel gauge
How Do I Fix Code P0463?
With a fuel level sensor fault, the first step is to get it diagnosed to figure out what is causing the problem.
The FIXD Sensor and app can help you diagnose and fix P0463 yourself by giving you access to detailed engine diagnostics that are easy to understand (even if you don’t know cars), live OBD2 data, and a Mechanic Hotline. You can even use FIXD to clear the fault codes on your vehicle and see if your fix worked, or simply turn off codes that aren’t serious.
> Click here to get FIXD for $19.99 for a limited time!
If your vehicle has this fault and you’re not comfortable diagnosing this issue at home, we recommend finding a RepairPal certified shop nearby to pinpoint the problem and give an accurate estimate for repairs.
These shops can not only help you figure out what’s going wrong before you waste time and money on the wrong parts, but they also offer a minimum 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty and stand behind all their estimates with guaranteed fair pricing.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Code P0463?
P0463 can be caused by anything from a bad fuel level sensor to faulty wiring to a damaged fuel tank. It’s impossible to give an accurate estimate without properly diagnosing the issue first.
If you take your car to a shop for diagnosis, most shops will start with an hour of “diag time” (the time spent in labor diagnosing your specific issue). Depending on the shop’s labor rate, this typically costs somewhere between $75-$150. Many, if not most, shops will apply this diagnosis fee to any required repairs if you have them perform the repairs for you. From there, a shop will be able to give you an accurate estimate for repairs to fix your P0463 code.
Possible Repair Costs for P0463
For error code P0463, one or more of the below repairs may be needed to solve the underlying issue. For each possible repair, the estimated cost of repair includes the cost of the relevant parts and the cost of labor required to make the repair.
- Fuel level sensor: $864 to $1,023
- Fuel pump: $806 to $967
- Instrument cluster: $804 to $824
DIY Steps to Diagnose Code P0463
Engine code P0463 could be caused by a number of things, including a bad fuel level sensor, faulty wiring, or a damaged fuel tank. If you’d like to try to fix code P0463 at home without throwing money at parts, you’ll want to follow the steps below for proper diagnosis. This is a beginner-level diagnosis, requiring no more than the FIXD Sensor and App and a bit of testing and visual inspection.
DIY difficulty level: Beginner
Tools/parts needed (our top picks from Amazon):
STEP 1: USE FIXD TO ENSURE NO OTHER ENGINE CODES ARE PRESENT.
Use FIXD to scan your vehicle to verify P0463 is the only code present.
STEP 2: CHECK FUEL LEVEL READINGS.
Use FIXD Live Data to measure your fuel level and compare it to the fuel gauge on your dashboard and see if they match. Check to see if you actually have more or less fuel than either of these readings indicate.
NOTE: Not all vehicles support a live data reading of your fuel level.
STEP 3: ADD FUEL AND CHECK THE LEVEL AGAIN.
Add a couple of gallons of gas to your vehicle. Then inspect the fuel gauge and FIXD Live Data again after fueling to verify an accurate fuel reading. If your readings through FIXD are accurate but the fuel gauge on your dashboard is not, you may need a new instrument cluster.
STEP 4: CHECK THE WIRING.
Conduct a visual inspection of wiring around the fuel level sensor and surrounding wiring harness for fraying or disconnection.
STEP 5: REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND/OR FUEL PUMP.
If the problem persists, consider replacing the fuel level sensor, or the entire fuel pump assembly if the sensor is integrated into it for your particular vehicle.
Common P0463 diagnosis mistakes
Prematurely replacing the fuel pump before attempting to visually inspect the wiring around the fuel level sensor for damage.
Still Need Help Fixing Code P0463?
If you’ve followed the steps above and are still experiencing check engine code P0463, please contact the FIXD Mechanic Hotline if you’re a FIXD Premium subscriber or find a RepairPal certified shop near you to get the right repairs at a fair price. Don’t have a FIXD Sensor yet? Click here to get yours for just $19.99, including a free 14-day trial of FIXD Premium!
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Fixed It But The Check Engine Light Is Still On?
Check engine light sometimes need to be reset manually, check out our article:
How to Reset Your Check Engine Light | 4 Ways To Clear It (With or Without a Scanner)
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