97 850T stalled wont start, pump relay? Pump? How do I tell?

Post by **rwaltco** » 14 Sep 2008, 07:39

97 850 T wagon 117K always runs fine. Went out this am and started right up, idled for ten mins then as I backed out, engine started to cut out and died. Wont start at all turns over fine. Acted like it was running out of fuel. Is pump relay under hood?

I have no code reader available. Does it sound like a pump relay or pump itself? Fuel filter is fairly new

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Sep 2008, 14:26

Listen from behind the rear passenger's side seat. When the key is moved to position II you should hear the fuel pump operating. If you hear nothing when the key is in position II you can jumper the fuel pump relay. In order to gain access to it you need to remove the cover over the upper fuse box. Once the cover is removed (4 T-25 Torx Screws) remove relay number 103.

Molded into the plastic next to the terminals on the base of the relay are the numbers 31, 31b, 15, and 87.

Make a jumper wire that goes between the socket positions associated with pins 15 and 87. If the relay is bad and the pump is good the car should start and run normally.

If you still don't hear the fuel pump running chances are the pump itself is bad. You can often revive the pump one or two times by smacking the bottom of the gas tank.

...Lee

Post by **rwaltco** » 14 Sep 2008, 14:38

I read your relay repair and bought the pieces today but the old relay almost looks new. I've owned the car three years. Will jumper tomorrow. Thanks again

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Sep 2008, 16:04

Good luck with it. The capacitors normally don't give any kind of visual indication that they are bad other than getting a little puffy at the end - they just croak.

...Lee

Post by **rwaltco** » 15 Sep 2008, 07:09

I used Lee's jumper wire idea on the relay and it still didn't start. Then, rubber-malleted the gas tank and it did start. This car sits sometimes for weeks at a time. Can the in-tank pump be gunked up? What does pounding on the tank do or free-up? Where can I get a rebuild kit?
Good news is it is a wagon and easy to get to.

Ever try crawling under a car and swinging a mallet when you have a torn rotator cuff in your shoulder? Owee.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 15 Sep 2008, 09:14

You need to replace the pump. The entire pump assembly is real expensive but you can replace the pump itself with an aftermarket. Walbro is the most popular and they are usually listed on eBay - for some reason there aren't any of the listed at the moment.

FCP Groton has a rebuild kit for under $100.00 but I don't know anything about the brand of pump.

...Lee