P226A OBD Error Code: Problem & Solutions

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The trouble code P226A can be defined as Water in Fuel Lamp Control Circuit. This error code is related with the water in fuel sensor circuit and it is also called as the fuel composition circuit. The mail role of the water in fuel sensor is to monitor the fuel which passes through it to ensure that ethanol, water, and other contaminants do not cross a specific percentage. The temperature of the fuel is measured by the water in fuel sensor and it is then converted into a voltage pulse width which is examined by the powertrain control module.

1. Fuel Pressure Regulator - Faulty fuel pressure regulator can lead to black smoke emitting from the tailpipe along with fuel leaks from tailpipe, engine not running smoothly and stalling, and problems to the transmission system. Thus, replace it now!
2. Engine Control Module - There can be some engine performance issues due to faulty engine control module. If the ECM fails or has any problems it can lead to performance issues with the vehicle like misfires, hesitation, loss of power, and sometimes even decreased fuel economy.
3. Fuel Sender Connector - The fuel sender connector is responsible for optimizing the fuel flow into the engine and if found faulty, will cause problems in fuel delivery. Thus, it needs to be replaced immediately.
4. Powertrain Control Module - PCM stands for powertrain control module. It is a car part, a control unit which is utilized on motor vehicles. It is generally a combined control unit, consisting of the engine control unit (ECU) and the transmission control unit (TCU).
5. Electronic Control Unit - If your automobile's check engine light remains on constantly, and never goes off, there's a good chance that your vehicle has a damaged electronic control unit. There are a lot of reasons why a car's check engine light will remain on. The most common reason is a defective ECU.
6. Diagnostic Tools - It is always advisable to use correct tools and equipment while resolving any OBD code issue as even small mistakes can lead to wrong diagnosis. Thus, always take help from a professional who has the knowledge and experience to such tools in efficient manner. Buy new quality diagnostic tools from us today!

Here are some steps which you should follow in order to diagnose this fault code:

This is a general type of error code which is diagnosed with the help of a scanner. The mechanic will insert a scanner to diagnostic port of the vehicle and recover the codes and freeze frame data. If he happens to find any additional error codes, he has to address them as well. Once it is done, he has to reset the vehicle, and then test drive to see if the error code appears. If the error code does not return, then there can be an erratic condition. Then after that the next step would be to inspect the records of the automobile to check when the fuel filter was restored and then the condition of the filter should be visually inspected.

This error code is generally caused due to faulty fuel filter or contaminated fuel. Utilize a glass jar to perform the visual inspection of the fuel. Now once the sample has been taken, it is essential to allow it to settle down and then the fuel would separate in a matter of minutes. If water is present in the fuel, then it would indicate that the fuel is contaminated, a faulty fuel filter or there might be both of them. Then the mechanic should find all the constituents in the water in fuel circuit and perform a thorough visual inspection to inspect the related wiring for obvious defects such as scraping, rubbing, bare wires, or burn spots. After that examine the connectors for security, corrosion and damaged pins. The sensor is generally mounted on the top of the fuel tank on many automobiles.

The advanced steps become very automobile specific and need the appropriate advanced equipment to perform correctly. A digital multimeter and the particular technical references for the vehicle would be needed to carry out these procedures. The tool which would be perfect to utilize in this particular situation is an oscilloscope. The O-scope will provide a correct illustration of the signal pulses and the frequency levels that will be proportional to the fuel contamination level. The typical range of frequency is from 50 to 150 hertz; with 50 hertz which represents clean fuel and 150 Hertz represents a high level of contamination. Voltage needs as well as signal pulses will differ depending on the particular year and model of the automobile.

The water in fuel sensor is generally supplied with a voltage reference of approximately 5-volts from the powertrain control module. If this process identifies the lack of a power source or ground, then there would be a need of continuity testing to inspect the integrity of the wiring, connectors as well as other constituents. Make sure to remove the power from the circuit and the normal readings for wiring and connections should be 0 ohms of resistance while performing continuity tests. Resistance or no continuity would indicate defective wiring that is opened or shorted and it should be repaired or restored carefully.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing The P226A Code

• Common mistakes while diagnosing this trouble code are unnecessary and expensive replacements which usually happen when one don’t follow all the steps carefully
• The most common mistake while diagnosing this code is missing out on diagnosing steps which further leads to the expensive and unnecessary replacements. It is always recommended to seek help of experienced diagnostician to avoid any mistakes.