The water-in-fuel indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when there is excessive water detected in the diesel fuel. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
The water-in-fuel indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn ON the water-in-fuel indicator for the following reasons:
The PCM continually monitors the water-in-fuel sensor to determine whether there is excessive water in the diesel fuel system. The PCM then sends the proper electronic water-in-fuel message to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC).
For proper diagnosis of the water-in-fuel-sensor, the PCM, the EMIC, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to water-in-fuel indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.