Fuel Problem

[breaks1200]

Before investing money on a new fuel pump, something tells me it could be the fuel pump relay......I was driving my car for an few hours and i parked and shut it off......running really good at the time no problems......went out to start it......no sound from the fuel pump......ran for 1 second then dead....dead ever since....does this sound like the relay?

 

[jimmymopower]

Could be either one. Take a test light and see if you are getting power at the pump with the key on, engine off. You should be able to acess the harness near the frame rail. If you have power there than its probably the pump and definitley not the relay. In my experience pump faliure is more common than relay failure with general motors.

 

[breaks1200]

I have had several GM cars that had fuel pumps go out......always died while running...this died after returning to start from 10 min break.......It only has 68,000 miles so i figured maybe i could be the relay because the car is an 86 but its still old. im just going to pick the relay up for 6.99 and put it in....only take me a minute....could be driving it tomarrow, i don't want to do an in-tank pump myself, cause of the risk of explosion........i guess ill just see what happens....if i get power at the back then looks like im in for a pump anyway.

 

[strikeeagle]

Sooner or later you're going to have to bite the bullet and change your FP.

That is, whether the relay solves your immediate problem or not doesn't change the fact that the OEM FP is a POS and could cost you a motor.

And when you do change it, just like the rest of us, you and your car won't explode.

Better become resigned to the fact...

 

[jimmymopower]

I really wouldn't worry to much about an explosion unless you drop the tank into a camp fire. I've done more in tank pumps than I care to think about, and have never once had anything worse than gasoline in the arm pits happen. If you do decide to tackle it, try and siphon as much of the fuel out as possible, 15 gallons of gas is pretty heavy sitting on your chest. PS, strikeeagle is correct about the factory pumps, if your going to do it, do it right and do it once.

 

[breaks1200]

well....Now i have no idea what it is because the relay itself isn't getting any power, i think maybe it's just time for a new car.

 

[jimmymopower]

You don't want to sell your car! If the relay isn't getting power then check further up the stream. Double check the fuse, make sure your test light has a good ground. Also ckeck for power at the fuse box, could have blown a fuseable link? Electrical problems can be a pain, but they can be figured out.