Design Guidelines for Automotive Fuel Level Sensors

Most current automotive and light truck fuel level sensors are essentially rotary potentiometers that have been designed to survive the chemically harsh environments found in the fuel tank. This paper will chronicle the design improvements made from the early wire wound versions to today's more robust thick film ink systems. The paper will highlight potential failure modes and discuss techniques to reduce noise and increase wear life. Data will be provided regarding changes in the circuit layout, ink compositions, and contact materials. Special consideration will be given to the adverse effects associated with the reactive sulfur prevalent in today's fuels.