How severe is this DTC?
The severity of this code can vary greatly from a simple check engine light or water in fuel light being on/off on a vehicle that starts and runs to an automobile that will stall, misfire, or not 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 P226A fault code may include:
- Engine may stall
- Severe misfires
- Engine does not start
- Poor fuel economy
- Poor performance
- Check engine light illuminated
- Water in fuel light is not on when it should be
What are some common causes of the code?
Causes of this P226A code may include:
- Contaminated fuel
- Blown fuse or fuse link (if applicable)
- Faulty or worn fuel filter
- Corroded or damaged connector
- Faulty or damaged wiring
- Faulty ECU
What are the troubleshooting steps for P226A?
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.
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 a few 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 scraping, 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 the 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.
Most other water in fuel codes relate to the water in fuel sensor and circuit. This code specifically refers to the water in fuel lamp control circuit. In other words, the problem is detected in the warning light, so it may not illuminate, it may be on or flashing, or any other state. Focus diagnostics more on the lamp control circuit than on the water in fuel sensor and its wiring.
What are the common repairs for this code?
- Replacing the blown fuse or fuse link (if applicable)
- Cleaning corrosion from connectors
- Repairing or replacing faulty wiring
- Removing contaminated fuel
- Replacing the ECU
Common mistakes may include:
Replacing the PCM or the 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 fault code circuit. This article is strictly informational, and the technical data and service bulletins specific to your vehicle should always take priority.