Water In Fuel Light

[Reverie]

About two weeks ago the Water In Fuel (WIF) light illuminated during a long trip. I followed the maintenance procedure and opened the drain on the side of the filter housing in the frame rail. The light went out but came back on. I drained it again and again it went off then came on in about ten miles. Once again I drained it but just as with the first two times, there was no water evident and the light popped on again.

Using the magic of Google and this good web site I have determined that this is a common issue and there are lots of ideas about how to fix it. I have replaced both fuel filters. I have drained all the fuel and replaced it. Still the problem persists.

Ford put out a TSB that suggests this may be caused by trash on the WIF Sensor in the frame rail housing. It states I will need to clean the debrie. I have seen that some people also squirt it with Brake Cleaner. I will performing both of these actions this weekend and will report back. Since I have a couple of days before I actually perform this work I thought I would solicit your wise advice before doing the work.

Reverie

[StrokinBig]

my water in fuel light comes on all the time, the first time it came on i freaked and drained all my fuel, and now i just ignore it because it still throws it up even after fuel filter changes. but where is that WIF sensor located on the frame rail? near the filter?

[Reverie]

It is actually in the filter housing located in the frame rail. I understand the sensor can be removed by grasping it firmly and twisting it but I am reluctant to do that for fear of breaking it. I'll let you know.

Reverie

[StrokinBig]

when you say in the filter housing you mean you have to remove the filter to get to it? i know its alot easyer to get to if your lifted due to the front driveshaft but if you do it can you possibly take pics? thanks!

[amdriven2liv]

Water in Fuel sensor is right next to the drain plug on the HFCM. Don't use brake cleaner, use carb cleaner. You can use the little tube that sticks into spray nozzel. Heat up the end of the little tube so you can bend it a little to spray at the sensor. (Warning, make sure the little tube is off the nozzle when you heat it up!) And spray like crazy in there.

If that doesn't solve the issue you will need to replace the sensor.

TSB:

06-22-12***WATER-IN-FUEL (WIF) LAMP ON / FLICKERING