P0463: Fuel Level Sensor Circuit High Input
Severity: low
What it means: The computer that watches the fuel level sender saw its signal voltage stay higher than it should for a set time. The sender is a float and sensor inside the fuel tank that drives your gas gauge.
Safe to drive? Yes, but you can't trust the gas gauge. Track your miles and refill early so you don't run out.
Common symptoms
- Check-engine light
- Fuel gauge stuck, jumping around, or reading empty or full no matter how much gas is in the tank
- Low fuel light or chime coming on at the wrong time
Likely causes, ranked
- Worn or failed fuel level sender in the tankShop
- Open signal wire, or a wire shorted to battery voltageShop
- Bad ground: rust, a missing tank ground strap or high resistanceDIY
- Instrument cluster or control module fault (less common)Shop
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Vehicle-specific notes
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DIY or shop?
Ground and connector checks are DIY. The sender is usually part of the fuel pump module inside the tank, so replacing it is normally a shop job.
Vehicle notes
- 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: the gauge never read above 3/4. The shop found P0463, said the sender was out of spec and quoted $555 to replace it (Car Talk owner report).
Before you replace parts
- Read all stored codes, including related fuel level codes P0460, P0461, P0462 and P0464.
- Check the wiring and ground at the tank.
- Check your VIN for recalls, service bulletins and extended coverage.
- Clear the code only after a repair, then confirm it stays off.
Safety / mechanic note
Verify with a mechanic. Fuel tank work involves gasoline vapor and is a fire risk. A code points to a circuit, not always a specific part.
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