fuel pump? 93 850 glt

ancv · Post by **ancv** » 03 Oct 2007, 17:27

Hey! I've been really lucky lately and no problems until 2 weeks ago and my little car wouldn't start. It would try, lights would come on but it wouldn't turn over. Had my husband listen for fuel pump to come on (which was replaced in Jan 2007) and he couldn't here it, so he tapped the lid and the car started. Then yesterday went to take kids to bus stop and she wouldn't start. So I went to listen for pump and couldn't hear it, so I tapped the lid and still wouldn't start. Had a friend come up and checked the battery, put a terminal on, checked fuses, (I had fuel filter put on in June) never started. Came home after ball game and she started right up.

First question: how do fuel pump relays go out? Do they go out and quit working all at once or can they still somewhat work? What else would make the fuel pump not work?

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

Also the interior light above the dashboard (in my manual its called a courtesy light) the middle switch has broke--where can I find a new switch?

Thanks in advance
ancv

Post by **HareBall** » 03 Oct 2007, 18:03

I would go back and check the battery connections. The fuel pump will not keep the engine from turning over. Neither should the relay.
I really believe you have a bad connection at the battery or somewhere else to do with the starter.

ancv · Post by **ancv** » 04 Oct 2007, 16:24

Forgive me for not knowing more about cars. I know to start a car you have to have battery power and gas. When the car would try to start no pump came on? Probable causes? If I am not getting gas, then I would assume the gas line doesn't have gas in it. How can I check that? Am I even asking the right question?

The postivie side has several things coming off of it, which were cleaned and put back on. But the car didn't start right away. Does it take time for the gas to get where it needs to go?

Thanks for the response,
ancv

greasefingerss · Post by **greasefingerss** » 04 Oct 2007, 18:05

The fuel pressure is reached instantly. Turning the ignition key two positions forward (not starting the engine) will energize the pump and you should hear it whine. Two people are helpful here. If you hear nothing then the pump is not receiving power or it is bound. But your pump is new. This is usually a fuse, a relay(s), or a faulty fuel pump.

In your case it is intermittent and this makes it even more difficult to analyze. Cleaning the battery cables & the battery posts is a must. After that I would replace or mend the fuel pump relay. A procedure for fixing the relay is Pinned here.

If still no go, then I would buy a gage and measure the pressure at the fuel rail.

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 04 Oct 2007, 18:54

ancv wrote:Forgive me for not knowing more about cars. I know to start a car you have to have battery power and gas. When the car would try to start no pump came on? Probable causes? If I am not getting gas, then I would assume the gas line doesn't have gas in it. How can I check that? Am I even asking the right question?

The postivie side has several things coming off of it, which were cleaned and put back on. But the car didn't start right away. Does it take time for the gas to get where it needs to go?

Thanks for the response,
ancv

You are being a bit confusing when you say the car wouldn't turn over. When an engine doesn't turn over, that means the starter is not cranking.
I believe, in your case, the engine is turning over but not starting. The fuel pump relay is in the engine compartment fusetray, numbered 103. The next time the car won't start and you do not hear the fuel pump, open the hood and tap the fuel relay with the key still on, in position II.
If that starts the pump, you need to get a new relay.
Yes, the relay fails sporatically before it totally crashes.

Klaus