Water in Fuel Filter

[Eagle eye]

Have had the "water in fuel" display on the dash off and on the passed week. I drained the filter into a zip lock bag and it did have maybe a 1/2 teaspoon of water, changed filter element cleaned bottom and interior of filter canister and re-assembled and the display still pops up occasionally then disappears. Tried filling tank with fuel and drained filter again but it shows no water just clean fuel. Anyone had this happen ? I'm on my fourth filter element change since owning my 2009, does the water sensor wear out where I will need to change the canister ?

 

[MMeier]

Did you clean off the sensor probes in the canister ?

 

[Eagle eye]

Yes I gently cleaned the sensor tips and the bottom recesses which had some residue that had settled into them. I used clean lint free cotton wipes.

 

[AH64ID]

Did you unscrew the sensor, or just clean it thru the lid opening?

 

[Eagle eye]

I cleaned thru the lid opening. I thought it was an integral unit. Because before this type filter you had to replace the whole unit filter case and element every time you changed the filter which was a big rip off till the present units which have removable filter elements.

 

[Eagle eye]

I guess I fixed the problem as I unplugged the sensor connection to check if it was dirty or had gotten fuel soaked. It was dry and clean so plugged it back in and the "water in fuel" symbol on the dash has not re-appeared for two days. Maybe unplugging it re-boots the computer ???

 

[cerberusiam]

Maybe unplugging it reset the contact in the plug. First thing to do when the light comes on is unplug the connector and spray clean it with contact cleaner. Any fuel spilled on the connector gets in there and casues a false positive. If the connector does not seal good an engine washing will cause the same problem.

 

[Eagle eye]

That's a interesting point because I wondered why MoPar would equip the filter with a plug in connector subject to rain road spray. The light came back on after I thought I had it fixed and now the alarm rings several times when it comes on which is crazy because it dosen't stay on more than a few miles. My latest attempt to fix the electric contact maybe problem is to soak the male end of the plug in alcohol figuring it may have gotten diesel fuel sprayed when I changed the filter element. I pull off the drain hose and put a zip lock bag under the drain valve. But this problem with the WIF light started before I changed the filter element so maybe the real fix is to replace the canister and WIF sensor quesstmating that the sensor wears out, remember when we had to pay way to much because the filter change included the canister and filter element. I only have 68K miles on the engine figure I have done maybe three element changes, the first few were when you changed the whole canister each time. Anyone found out the sensor wears out ???

2009 2500 QuadCab Laramie 4WD 6.7 6 speed auto

 

[TLane]

To the best of my knowledge, the sensor is simply two wires inserted in a low spot in the filter bowl. Water conducts electricity, fuel does not. It is also possible that the problem may be farther up the wiring towards the ECM. In other words, a wet or corroded connector at any point along the wiring path will cause a false indication.

 

[Eagle eye]

Thanks TLane, you are exactly right , two wire connector and two electrodes in the bottom of the fuel filter canister. Doesn't make sense that the electrodes would wear out. The fix I tried soaking the two wire male plug in alcohol did slow down the WIF and chime to an occasional warning. I will trace back the wires and look for wet or corroded problem areas or a break in the wires as if the connector is left unplugged it will activate the WIF. THANKS

 

[Ozymandias]

Change the WIF would probably solve the problem.

Is it so expensive?

 

[Eagle eye]

About $75 including shipping from geno's but will it fix the problem ?? I know it has become standard ops at dealers to stick in a new part and see if it's fixed and I'm not opposed to spending the money if I had information that replacing the whole filter would fix the problem. On the # 68061633AA filter the sensor is built into the filter case, unlike previous models where the sensor could be replaced separate for about $35.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I suspect replacing it will not solve the problem. After all, it's just two contacts. If it had a bad connection, broken wire or whatever, it would just not show any WIF. Something has to either be making a connection between the two contacts or pins in its connector, or the computer is having issues.
I would unplug the sensor and cover the open connectors with something to keep water out. If the light comes on after that then you know the problem is farther up.

 

[AH64ID]

It doesn't need to be a contact issue, the ECM is looking for resistance to be within a certain range. I have a WIF sensor, standard big rig type, that as soon as I plug it in the WIF light illuminates.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Give my suggestion a shot, it's a common method of troubleshooting WIF sensor issues in diesel engines.
Let us know how it does.

Scott

 

[Eagle eye]

I unplugged the sensor electric plug and the WIF illuminates constant. Last night I tried a re-boot of the computor, disconnected both grounds on the batteries for twenty five minutes. today while driving the WIF illuminated with chime twice in 40 miles. I don't think it would be registering a trouble code for a reader to pull up and clear. The WIF and chime only displays for minutes randomly. I traced the two wires purple and purple white stripe and found no abraded spots.

 

[AH64ID]

The constant light when unplugged is probably due to improper resistance, this generation of Cummins doesn't work like most.

It's pointing to a sensor issue, but it would suck to spend the $$ and have it be something else.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I see Geno's has the Fleetguard WIF sensor for 8.95.
At that price it's a cheap shotgun item.

 

[AH64ID]

Hmmm. I saw $75 in the thread earlier???

 

[Prairie Dog]

Hmmm. I saw $75 in the thread earlier???

Me too, that's why I checked. Maybe the $75 part is for the whole reservoir?
I dunno.