2002 ford focus zx3 intermitant p0460 code, gauges delayed on start but fuel gauge works

if I gather right your fuel gauge on your instrument panel is not working ,if this is the case your fuel sending unit ;i.e. (fuel level sensor ) is located in the fuel tank with the fuel pump

some fault codes stored in your car,
autocom can help you clear the fault codes and check your car.

I think something wrong with your ford, you can use a autocom cdp pro cars diagnostic tool check your car,

This is the exhaust manifold it supposed to get hot you need to re- route your fuel lines

I am going to paste a list of potential causes for a p0460. There is a cure for a dirty reader card and Ford recommends CHEVRON TECHRON fuel system cleaner. Run tank low, put in cleaner, use best gas you can find,avoid your frequent brand.

02-06-2006 06:19 PM #2 TXFO Not Special Enough Join Date Jul 2002 Location New Braunfels, TX Posts 13,976 Re: Fuel level sensor circuit malfunction (P0460)? P0460 - Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Malfunction The PCM monitors the fuel level input (FLI) circuit for electrical failure. The test fails when the signal moves outside the minimum or maximum allowable calibrated parameters for a specified fuel fill percentage in the fuel tank. Empty fuel tank
Fuel pump (FP) module stuck open
Incorrectly installed fuel gauge
Damaged instrument cluster
CASE GND circuit open
FLI shorted to VPWR
Damaged PCM
Overfilled fuel tank
Fuel pump (FP) module stuck closed
Damaged fuel gauge
FLI circuit open
FLI circuit shorted to CASE GND or PWR GND
CSE GND shorted to VPWR
Monitor FLI PID and FLI V PID in key ON engine RUNNING. FLI PID at 25% fill (with non matching fuel gauge) and FLI V PID less than 0.90 volts [for FLI PID at 75% fill (with non matching fuel gauge) and FLI V PID greater than 2.45 volts] indicates a hard fault.

P0460 Fuel Level Sensor A Circuit Malfunction, ford posted this service tip for all 97 to 05 ford vehicles - INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH DTC P0460 - SERVICE TIP
SOME 1997-2005 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DTC P0460 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION). THIS CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED REMOTE START SYSTEM, AFFECTING THE FLUID LEVEL INPUT (FLI) INFORMATION TO THE PCM. THE CONDITION MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE. TO SERVICE, CHECK FOR AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FORD OR AFTERMARKET REMOTE STARTER SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OR HEC MUST HAVE POWER TO ALL 'HOT IN RUN' CIRCUITS FOR THE FUEL GAUGE CIRCUIT TO PROPERLY RELAY FLI INFORMATION TO THE PCM (EITHER BY NETWORK COMMUNICATION OR A DIRECT HARDWIRE CIRCUIT another I have seen addresses the fuel problem just says the tank got over filled, the gas cap is bad, and that the system is clogged due to a poor grade of fuel being used, Ford recommends a Chevron fuel cleaner additive that should improve this problem

the problem may be the temperature sensor or the gauge itself, it is most likely easier to replace the sensor than the gauge....hope this helps.......cheers

P0460 Code - Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Malfunction.

I'm not sure what you mean by you mixed gas, does that mean you switched to a different station or octane level? Does the gas gauge still work fine? As long as it works fine you could keep driving for a few more tanks to see if the problem goes away. If you overfill or run the tank too low it can cause issues with the fuel sender.

When the pump clicks off, you're done filling. Though at 175K miles the fuel sender could just have gone bad. If you start to see symptoms then take it into the shop definitely. About the only thing you could do prior to that is if you're comfortable you could use a digital volt ohm meter (DVOM) and measure the sensor readings at the tank (at the electrical connections).

Good luck.

It sounds like an intermittent alternator/voltage regulator problem. I would suggest testing the alternator.

THE SENDING UNIT IN THE FUEL TANK IS BAD.COMMON TAURUS PROBLEM