WATER IN FUEL prompt on dash display after changing sensor and filter

[pennsdalerepair]

Hi folks:

NEWBIE here to the site. Hope someone can help! I just changed my fuel filter on my 07 2500 HD and had to change the water in fuel sensor as a wire broke when removing the unit from the filter. Went to a local auto parts store as it was late in the day and got a Dorman aftermarket to replace. Changed everything out; primed the new filter and started. No problem until the WATER IN FUEL display popped up. Checked connection, seems to be good, plugged in OBD scanner to check for any problems--NONE. Engine runs fine.

Anyone else experience this? How do you clear or do I have to go to GM and get the OEM part?

Thanks!

Tom

[clinebarger]

Does the light go out when you unplug the sensor? If so...Leave it unplugged, They dont work as designed anyway. Drain the water off the filter at every fill-up.

[Banjo Willy]

I'll probably get flamed, but here goes anyway. One thing Ford got right on the old 7.3 PS was the fuel pump/filter setup. The pump was on the frame rail close to the tank, so it was like the "lift pump" so the fuel was under pressure thru the filter. And you could take the top off the filter canister & pull the filter element & look inside to see what was in the bottom. You could put the cartridge back in...or install a new one. Mosty all Racor. Easy to get to the drain. I guess there was a WIF sensor, but it actually worked. Bad was the dumb fuel heater, cause water would corrode it & it would short out & blow a fuse that was also on the same circuit as the PCM = no start. Didn't really need the heater unless you were in Alaska, so most left it unplugged.
I don't like to suck the fuel thru the filter, cause any pinhole will suck air & you will not run right or not run at all.
There, I'm off my soapbox. & go to drinking some of my homebrew.
Bill

[jblather]

I had a 2000 7.3L PowerStroke. The fuel filter was right on top of the engine, easy to get to. The filter canister was transparent, so you could see at a glance how dirty it is. However, to drain the water, it poured all over the engine.

[pennsdalerepair]

All:

FIXED!! The replacement Dorman sensor was defective! Tested it using an ohm meter to find that it would not consistently read open when the float was in the down position. Took the old one apart and soldered the wiring back together and tested it. Perfect!! Also sampled my fuel---perfect!!

Thanks for the advice!!!


Tom

[TheStepChild]

Originally Posted by Banjo Willy

I'll probably get flamed, but here goes anyway. One thing Ford got right on the old 7.3 PS was the fuel pump/filter setup. The pump was on the frame rail close to the tank, so it was like the "lift pump" so the fuel was under pressure thru the filter. And you could take the top off the filter canister & pull the filter element & look inside to see what was in the bottom. You could put the cartridge back in...or install a new one. Mosty all Racor. Easy to get to the drain. I guess there was a WIF sensor, but it actually worked. Bad was the dumb fuel heater, cause water would corrode it & it would short out & blow a fuse that was also on the same circuit as the PCM = no start. Didn't really need the heater unless you were in Alaska, so most left it unplugged.
I don't like to suck the fuel thru the filter, cause any pinhole will suck air & you will not run right or not run at all.
There, I'm off my soapbox. & go to drinking some of my homebrew.
Bill

Originally Posted by jblather

I had a 2000 7.3L PowerStroke. The fuel filter was right on top of the engine, easy to get to. The filter canister was transparent, so you could see at a glance how dirty it is. However, to drain the water, it poured all over the engine.

What does this have to do with the OP?

might as well talk about vans too since this thread got derailed

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by pennsdalerepair

All:

FIXED!! The replacement Dorman sensor was defective! Tested it using an ohm meter to find that it would not consistently read open when the float was in the down position. Took the old one apart and soldered the wiring back together and tested it. Perfect!! Also sampled my fuel---perfect!!

Thanks for the advice!!!


Tom