How severe is this DTC?
The severity of this code can vary greatly from a simple check engine light or water in fuel light on a vehicle that starts and runs to an automobile that stalls, misfires, or won’t start at all. Damage to the fuel system and internal engine components can occur if this situation is not corrected in a timely manner.
What are some of the symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P2269 trouble code may include:
- Engine may stall
- Severe misfires
- Engine won’t start
- Poor fuel economy
- Poor performance
- Check engine light illuminated
- Water in fuel light illuminated
What are some common causes of the code?
Causes
of this P2269 code may include:
- Contaminated fuel
- Blown fuse or fuse link (if applicable)
- Faulty or worn fuel filter
What are the troubleshooting steps for P2269?
The first step in the troubleshooting process for any malfunction is to search for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the specific vehicle by year, model, and powertrain. In some circumstances, this can save you considerable time in the long run by pointing you in the right direction.
The second step is to check the vehicle’s records to see when the fuel filter was replaced and visually inspect the condition of the filter.
Most Common Causes
The most common causes of this code are a faulty fuel filter or contaminated fuel. A visual inspection of the fuel can be performed using a glass jar. Once a sample is taken and allowed to settle, water and fuel will separate within minutes. The presence of water in the fuel is an indication of contaminated fuel, a faulty fuel filter, or both. Next, you should locate all components in the water in fuel circuit and perform a thorough visual inspection to check the associated wiring for obvious defects such as chafing, rubbing, bare wires, or burns. Then check the connectors for security, corrosion, and damaged pins. The sensor is normally mounted on top of the fuel tank on most vehicles.
Advanced Steps
Advanced steps become very vehicle-specific and require appropriate advanced equipment to perform accurately. These procedures require a digital multimeter and vehicle-specific technical references. The ideal tool to use in this situation is an oscilloscope, if available. The O-scope will provide an accurate illustration of the signal pulses and frequency levels that will be proportional to the level of fuel contamination. The typical frequency range is 50 to 150 hertz; with 50 hertz representing clean fuel and 150 hertz representing a high level of contamination. Voltage requirements and signal pulses vary depending on the specific year and model of the vehicle.
There are additional water in fuel codes that relate to the electrical sensor and its circuit, but this code is different in that it informs you that there is water in the fuel.
What are the common repairs for this code?
- Removal of contaminated fuel
- Replacement of fuel filter
Common mistakes may include:
Replacing the PCM or water in fuel sensor when damaged wiring or contaminated fuel is the cause of the problem.
I hope the information contained in this article has been helpful in pointing you in the right direction to correct the issue with your water in fuel circuit fault code. This article is strictly informational and specific vehicle technical data and service bulletins should always take priority.