How-To DIY: Replacing LR4 fuel system low pressure sensor

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gsxr

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While chasing a fuel system problem (details in this thread), one of the possible solutions was a faulty low-pressure sensor in the fuel supply pipes from the tank to the engine. Since a new sensor was ~$40 it seemed like it was worth a shot before dropping the fuel tank, which apparently definitely isn't fun.

The low-pressure sensor is JLR part number LR015356. This is spendy at the dealer, $138 MSRP, online discount dealers have it for around $120 (sample here). There's an aftermarket sensor which is allegedly OEM for much less, under $40, click here to see it at FCP Euro. I bought it from FCP for $38 (naturally, the price dropped to $30 a few days later). It is made in Mexico and appears it might actually be OEM JLR / FoMoCo. Buying the sensor was the end of the easy part.

First up is locating the stupid thing. The FSM (PDF page #4244) says "The fuel LP sensor is installed in a manifold in the fuel supply line. The manifold is located in the rear of the front Right Hand (RH) wheelarch, behind the splash shield." Yeah, nope... it's not anywhere near the wheelarch. This video about the AJ133 fuel system shows a photo at 2:45 which isn't very helpful, and does not match my 2010 LR4. Maybe that photo is from a Range Rover. The text description is accurate though, it is at the right side of the transmission behind a heatshield which is not shown in this photo:

1734449042557.png


Photos attached below show what it looks like on the 2010 LR4, and probably all LR4 with V8 engine. There's not even space to fit a camera (phone) up there. I briefly considered removing the catalyst pipe but that didn't look easy either.

I removed the smaller top shield first, held on by two 10mm nuts. This exposed the LP sensor, but not the fuel manifold. I thought I could remove the large heat shield to get full view / full access. Nope, can't do that either. After removing most fasteners, I discovered the fuel manifold is attached to a stud ON THE REAR OF THE HEAT SHIELD! It's borderline unpossible to remove the manifold, without risking damage to the plastic fuel pipes, and plastic manifold. Unreal. :mad:

The sensor threads into an adapter pipe which is a quick-connect fitting into the manifold. New OE/Genuine sensors come with the adapter pipe, aftermarket sensors do not. Since there was no way to access the release tabs for the quick-connect fitting, the only option was to unthread the sensor from the adapter pipe. First challenge was removing the electrical connector, I could not press hard enough with my fingers to release it. I used an extra-long screwdriver to press the release tab and then push the connector up & off the sensor.

Now you have to find space to fit tools up there. The adapter tube has 13mm flats so a stubby 13mm wrench can fit. The sensor has ~24mm hex flats, all I could fit up there was a small Crescent (adjustable) wrench. This is the worst part, trying to hold tools in place with no space for your hands, and no room to move.

Once the sensor breaks loose (maybe 1/16 turn) it easily spins out by hand. I was expecting a fuel bath, but not one drop of gasoline was spilled. Odd, but a pleasant surprise. :D Spinning the new sensor in place was uneventful, then it was back to swearing at the tools and lack of space to tighten it. Thankfully after starting the engine there were no apparent leaks. Unfortunately after all this effort, the problem I was trying to remedy remained unsolved... engine still dies 3-4 minutes after a cold start.

Equally frustrating is the lack of data from this sensor. GAP IID does not show pressure readings from it, nor voltage readings. There is NO way to tap into the wiring for voltage checks. There's also no (reasonably easy) way to connect a manual fuel pressure gauge to the low pressure system. I'm sure this was for cost savings, but c'mon... software is effectively free. Why not let the ECM provide readings from this sensor, to diaganostic tools?

Anyway, perhaps this will help the next poor soul who needs to replace this sensor.


(Forum configuration limits to 5 attachments per post... why? :rolleyes: I'll add the rest of the pictures to separate posts below.)
 

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gsxr

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Next 5 photos show disconnecting the electrical connection and unthreading the sensor from the adapter pipe.
 

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gsxr

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Photos of the new aftermarket "OEM" sensor from FCP.

And, a screenshot from MicroCat showing the sensor & fuel manifold in the parts diagram.
 

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Longtrail

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Thanks for sharing this, having just done my transmission pan I know how tight it is up there. Well done.
 

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