B1204

Code

LAND ROVER B — Body

Fuel sensor short to ground - low resistance

Brand: LAND ROVER

Type: B — Body

Views: UK: 18 EN: 34 RU: 22

AI status

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Page language: EN

Causes

Damaged or chafed wiring contacting chassis ground
Corroded or contaminated fuel sender connector or terminals
Faulty fuel level sender (internal short)
Poor connector fit or water ingress in tank connector
Aftermarket work or pinched harness during service
Faulty body control module (less common)

Symptoms

Fuel gauge pegged full, empty, or erratic
Fuel warning lamp may illuminate or not behave correctly
Inaccurate/inconsistent range or trip computer fuel data
Possible stored/active fault(s) in instrument or BCM
No drivability effects in most cases (electrical/fuel gauge only)

What to check

Retrieve freeze-frame and full DTC list from vehicle using diagnostic tool
Visually inspect wiring harness between fuel tank and module for damage, chafing, or contact with metal
Inspect connector at fuel tank/sender for corrosion, water or broken pins
Check for continuity between sender signal and chassis ground with connector unplugged
Verify connector is fully seated and locking tabs intact
Confirm no recent service or modifications that may have disturbed the harness

Signal parameters

Short-to-ground condition: voltage on sender signal near 0 V with ignition ON
Low resistance to ground: measured continuity < ~5 Ω (manufacturer-specific thresholds may vary)
Normal sender behavior: resistance or voltage should change smoothly when float is moved — refer to factory spec
Open circuit: very high resistance or infinite ohms when sender disconnected
Reference voltages: some systems use a 5 V or variable supply to the sender; measure supply at connector per manual

Diagnostic algorithm

Read and record all stored codes and module data with a capable scanner; note freeze-frame and history.
Visually inspect fuel tank, sender connector, and harness routing for obvious damage, corrosion, or water entry.
With ignition OFF, disconnect the fuel sender connector. Check for corrosion, bent pins, and moisture. Repair or clean as needed.
Measure resistance from the sender signal pin to chassis ground at the connector. If resistance is very low (< ~5 Ω) the circuit is shorted to ground.
If low resistance is present with connector disconnected, trace harness toward module in sections: unplug intermediate connectors and retest to isolate the short location.
If harness checks OK, bench-test or measure the sender unit: verify resistance change when moving the float or measure output voltage per workshop manual.
Repair: repair or replace damaged wiring, connectors, or sender. Use proper seals and corrosion protection on tank-side connectors.
After repairs clear codes, perform key-on and engine run checks, confirm correct gauge operation and re-scan to ensure code does not return.
If fault persists after wiring and sender verified, test/replace the receiving module (BCM/instrument cluster) per factory procedures.

Likely causes

Shorted wiring between sender and chassis ground due to abrasion or rubbing
Corroded pins allowing low-resistance path to ground
Fuel sender element failed internally producing very low resistance
Connector seals compromised permitting moisture and bridging
Incorrectly routed/secured harness after other repairs

Fault status

⚠️ Status

Fuel level sensor circuit reports low resistance (short to ground). Diagnostic trouble code stored by body control/instrument module; fuel level reading unreliable.

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1–3 hours

Similar codes

Repair manuals

Manual library for LAND ROVER

413

Browse 413 LAND ROVER manuals: repair procedures, diagnostics, wiring diagrams, component locations, service data and Labor Times by year, model and trim.

LAND ROVER

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B1204 — Fuel sensor short to ground - low resistance