How To Diagnose A Fuel Pump Failure - EricTheCarGuy
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
- I had the privilege of visiting Airtex, and while I was there I spoke with Shane Neuman about diagnosing a faulty fuel pump. In this video we go over the basic steps of diagnosing a faulty fuel pump. So if your vehicle isn't starting and you suspect a fuel pump problem, here are some steps to follow to confirm your suspicions. Another 'quick' test is to bang on the fuel tank and then try and start the engine. Sometimes this works, just don't bang too hard, you could damage something.
Airtex diagnosis webpage: www.airtexproducts.com/techres...
Here's a link to an article I wrote on diagnosing No Starts that you might also find useful: www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solv...
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My neighbor watched your video last night and we followed your advise this morning. Got it started without having to call a tow truck. On behalf of my neighbor and myself, thanks for taking the time to post this video. God Bless
I have learned that if you use a transmission funnel in the fuel fill tube it will magnify the sound so much you can stand at the drivers door and hear it quite well
Great tip .👍. I’ll def remember that one.
I used my oil funnel, still worked
Cool tip
Eric, this addresses an issue I’m dealing with right now, I subscribed a good while back, but I’m thankful to have come across this video today. And as a head injury survivor, your method of asking “what’s the first thing to do...and the next we should do is...” and then review the steps, isEXACTLY what I needed because I have trouble following a lot of information at once. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hey guys, maybe I'm wrong but based on the fuse box lid, the fuel pump relay is that black relay, opposite side from that white relay.
Please watch video and confirm here.
Eric you have helped me so much in the past on my 2004 Bonda Element. So I was thrilled to see a video on the Silverado. I'm trying to help my grandpa with his.
P,S. Hey Eric, so far your videos have saved me (keeping a running tab), $2,570 on Mechanic repair cost on my Hond Element. Your a Boss!!!!!
Another brilliant video, Eric. This actually happened to me while I was on vacation with no tools. The local general mechanic helped me out, spent about 90 minutes figuring out what the problem was, and charged me $20 when it turned out to be a fuse. I think he was feeling a little sheepish when he took so long to come to the diagnosis, but he was such a great guy. Salt of the earth. I did my best to help him out when he came to me years later with a problem in my area.
What fuse?
@@nestorramirez2248 Fuel pump fuse, usually in the underhood fuse box. It draws enough current so it is usually controlled by a relay.
Wish I heard more about good people like both of these men. Not enough good people left. God bless u both.
Great videos Eric. With our 2003 Suburban, I did all these things and then used the side of a hammer to bang on the gas tank. That was enough to get the fuel pump started so I knew it was the pump. Sometimes this may not work depending on the mode of failure. We have had three fuel pumps put in over the life of the vehicle and all three times that little trick worked to get the truck started temporarily.
Guys, this is awesome. Thank you so much. Single lady here needing help properly diagnosing my car problems and my did this help! Much love and support from Austin, Texas.
139 idiots don't know good advice when they see it. Great videos Eric. Thanks from the mechanically challenged. You've helped me through a couple problems already this year.
It's dodge dealerships. Bozo.
You saved me so much hassle. Short story - Fuel pump relay was not well seated. Found it from your video. Thanks!!!
Love the order: start simple and move to complex. Start with cheapest options and move from there. Good, down to earth explanations. Thanks, guys.
Step 1) Check the fuel gauge, the Tank could be on "E"... Step 2) Check DLC and see if theirs any trouble codes(could be a faulty Crank Sensor or something related... Step 3) Battery Voltage Check... Step 4) Spark... Step 5) Fuel System(if still haven't found the problem)... Step 6) Compression Test... This is probably the best formula for any No Start Diag Test! I love all your video Eric, keep up the good work. Pretty soon the average joe would know how to diagnose there cars from these UA-cam videos and us Technician would be out of work lol.
This video was a life saver. I only had fuel pressure of about 15 pounds and replaced fuel pump. Lost power to the new fuel pump and was at wits end trying to figure it out. Relay tested good and so on so forth. Had no clue about the ECM-B fuse until this video. My bad for not unhooking battery during replacement of new fuel pump which is how it got shorted. Vehicle is a 2001 Chevy Express passenger van. Just want to take this time to say thank you, really helped an amateur mechanic out.
@07hdflht I like to test them that way myself, in fact I often use my trusty power probe because you are correct that a fuse can look good and still be bad. The idea behind it was to encourage people to check the fuse first as it could be a very simple fix. Thanks for the comment.
You are amazing eric. You do a great job of explaining everything in detail but you do it in an easy to understand way. I have learned so much from you and am still learning more. Thank you for your great videos and your great effort. Appreciate you.
Update: I ended up replacing my fuel pump module with sending unit today, before I bought the new AIRTEX unit, I plugged the pump into the harness and cycled the key, and the pump worked, so I figured the circuit was ok just a quirky old pump. The new AIRTEX pump was easy to install and the car once again runs great! This video was a great help! Thank you!
@Ericthecarguy - Ive been working on cars since I was a teen and I must say every time I watch one of your videos I learn at least something about anything GREAT JOB!!
Brilliant that banging on the tank really works - sometimes the pump heats up and the car can drive when you first start it in the morning but i ended up getting stranded in all sorts of places - wait a few hours and the car would start - from what i can gather its a worn pump heating up and that snafus the startup. Love the vids Eric - Hoots from Scotland!
I see exact issue in car. Can I confirm it as bad fuel pump?
A great video! I'm glad you selected a GM Vortec because this is going to happen eventually and you might as well be prepared for it. On the way out, the whine of the fuel pump many times will change, both at prime and when the vehicle is running. Also, longer crank times will typically occur when starting the vehicle. But the end result is always the same - a no start condition.
Great job.
I love how you explain things in simple terms.
Thank you.
I love how the videos are in such detail. Great advice and very detail oriented thank you
Awesome teamwork! Clear and concise explanation! Thanks gentlemen. Now I can diagnose my fuel pump.
Perfect demonstration. I have done all the steps and located my issue. Thank you
Finally a serious, well broken down video for guys that really want to work on their cars but just need a little guidance so they don't go changing parts without first doing a real deal diagnosis of what could be the problem! I can tel y'all just want to help...Thank you guys!!
I'm gonna try this tomorrow cause I really think it's the fuel pump but just wanna be pretty sure that's what it is. You guys are alright by me! Keep it up
Probably the most helpful fuel pump diagnosis ive seen on youtube
First of all thanks so much for posting this video, I should mention one more thing to check for before replacing the fuel pump, that would be the fuel pump safety switch. Although not all cars are equipped with one, my 2002 Ford Explorer had it right under the glove compartment on the passenger side, all I had to to is hit the reset button on the safety switch and that got me up and running.
good luck and thanks again for taking the time to post this video.
Very nice Eric, I would only add to strongly emphasize the re-setting of the engine computer between each attempt in energizing the fuel pump. Many systems need a 10 second off time in-order to get the engine computer to trigger the fuel pump / relay. You know these systems so well little things like this can sneek by the adverage DIY.
Great Job !
Because it was correct
Couldn’t have found a better video. Thanks for making this video very useful.
This was a great video very smooth and informative. Keep up the good work guys 😁
@streetkingz24 I'm glad to hear the video helped, thanks for the comment.
Awesome video Eric! Thought I'd mention that GM's often have a bad ground wire from the pump to the frame. That's one thing I always check.
Interesting
Yes I see ground you speak of.
Thanks for the video. This will prove helpful. For me step #1 was to check my fuel cutoff switch since the car died and refused to start back up after experiencing a front drivers side blowout. I haven't tried any of your steps yet, but I'm praying it's the fuse or relay. I drive an '89 Ford Bronco 351 Windsor.
Thank you for making this relatable for those of us who aren't mechanics!
Hate to have to need this video, but thank you guys.
@viggoM35 Not the engineers fault I can tell you that, keep in mind everything you just mentioned costs money and raises the cost of the vehicle as well as production cost.
Eric the awesome helper for so many of us, thank you sir, love your style and explanations
You brought up a good point eric about checking for voltage to the pump. You are the best Eric, thank you. You care
+bobby redondo I was going to suggest that, if you get to the point to where you are dropping the tank, run a meter on the fuel pump wires to see if a voltage is present when the key is cycled on. If everything else has so far checked out okay, you might have a broken or rotted wire from under the hood to the pump. You might want to remove the connections from the pump to make sure you get an accurate reading.
Another great video! I really like this one and the WELLS video/tour.
great video, thanks! pretty detailed and summary of steps at the end
I like the no bull crap type of video this is. So many videos nowadays take 20 minutes to say 3 minutes worth of information.
Really good video. covers step by step procedure used in industry. Go Ericthecarguy.
Thanks for this vid, and the one about getting off the brake rotors. You're helping me save lots of $ by doing it myself.
This helped a lot. Thanks for showing me how to check my fuel pump
simple and concise video, thanks Eric the Car guy!
Always follow your work and directions!! Hagd!! God bless dude!
Hi Eric thank you for your channel. I would like to suggest that it would be helpful for DYI like myself to also see and hear what does work in addition to what doesn't. For example, when you said when cycling the key we should hear the pump hum or buzz. In this video, we don't hear the sound. Using a different car, it may be helpful to show what the sound would sound like if the pump did hum or buzz. Another example is when you use the pressure gauge and this example has no pressure; it helps people like me that need info slow (lol) to see what a good pressure looks like. Anyway, just an idea. Thanks for the channel.
David.
Hi Eric,
In some cases you have to crank the car to check fuel pump running, week ago i had an old Audi A4 witch the fuel pump was running, only if you crank the car.
Greetings Apo
Thanks, great thorough demonstration of how to diagnose a fuel pump malfunction.
THANKS GUYS! ; Your "Step by Step" ANALYSIS" Is Very Professional & Very Helpful !!
"Mama always had a way of explaining things so I could understand them" - Forrest Gump
Thanks Eric
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hi Eric, I wanted to point out a few things. Not because I think that you don't know, but so people that don't do not miss any steps. First, just because the relay clicks does not mean it is good. Not sure if you have a video on how relays work but it would be a good little video for people. Also I didn't hear you say anything about checking for battery voltage at the fuel pump connector. If you don't check for voltage at the pump you could replace a 200$ part when the problem was an open in the circuit. Thank you for your videos Eric.
How do u do that just hook up the dmm to pump wires and watch for voltage when key is on
I'm also having that problem right now 2006 impala 3.5 I'm getting spark I turn key and I can hear the pump buy at my gage shows no pressure and it won't start I just put new fuel pump
Jose Juarez Did You Ever figure out the problem ?
K3LBR00K yes sir the gage I was using the one that connects to the port it wears out on the bottom and it start leaking all my fuel but I also had a another problem for no start cylinder 1 has no compression at all. the rest were ok
You also have the inertia switch that will cut off the fuel pump
awesome video eric! Really helps to know the process of elimination!
Wow...thanks Eric. You guys are the best!
@wizkid01 Yes I agree, the plan is to make another video talking about continuing the diagnosis at the tank. Thanks for your input and comment.
Often times (and one thing that wasn't specifically covered in this video), especially GM vehicles, the ignition switch directs current to the fuel pump. If you have a crank no start, your ignition switch could be the culprit (more often than you may think). This may explain your intermittent start and shut downs. Wiggle your key until you hear the fuel pump prime.. if you can.. prob time to change the switch... or check for brown outs where the harness connects.
You guys are great. Keep doing what your doing.
I just love these videos! So informative!
Number One: Make sure the car has gas in the tank. Number Two: always check for a clogged fuel filter! Then do the steps that Shane recommends.
Most of the time the fuel filter is attached to the fuel pump so bad filter bad fuel pump or you might be able to replace filter but i would just replace the fuel pump because it probably wont be long before it goes out either way you might have to drop the fuel tank unless your lucky and its under the seat
@@adventures223 you’re correct, that’s mostly old cars that have that fuel filter outside of the fuel pump.
@@adventures223 99
i was looking for a comment concerning the filter. I have the maintenance manuals the dodge mechanics used on my 87 caravan, and after testing pressure at engine - if none , check at filter.
@@leonardkellum6984Xxx
Before pulling the fuel pump check the inertia switch (fuel pump cut off switch) usually under the dash to see if that's tripped, could save you hours of time
Only Ford uses inertia switch.
Great video Eric!
Thank you shane neuman and Eric.
Great video; this saved me 60-150 in diagnosis that even as an IT (meaning technical) girl, I could do this! Although I need a second person to turn the key.
Love your work Eric. Also, check the inertia switch. Like almost all my car problems, my pump works sometimes and sometimes no. 98 ford Explorer, I hate to drop the tank, but at 180,000, would not hurt to do it anyway. Might be a dead squirrel in there or something.
This was 9 years ago. Did you find the squirrel? 🧐
Bro this is my exact problem literally thought I wrote this comment bcuz everything u said is my issue 180000 miles and pump works sometimes
You're the Man! Thanks, Eric!!
always great helpful info eric
@v7nf Keep in mind the pump will only run for about 3-5 seconds when you turn it to run, if the pressure bleeds off quickly it could be the fuel pump itself as it has a check valve in it to help maintain pressure when the vehicle is off for faster start up. A pressure drop could also be the result of a leaking fuel injector, in fact I think Doge's have an issue with that.
I like Shane. He looks like an OK guy.
BOOM, easy to follow steps. Well made video , thank you.
Best video on this topic. Thank you very much.
@6poundsoft Perhaps in the next video. Is it just me or is it that every time a fuel pump goes out the tank is full?
EricTheCarGuy , mine had over 26 gals . Had to raise the bed .
fuel pumps go out when people drive the vehicle until it runs out of gas
Mine has never been ran out I refilled it at a quarter tank to full have 25 gallon tank and the pump isnt working magically
@@brittanymills3191 fresh off the lot first owner with low miles ✅
2nd owner & high miles ❌
add a fuel pump with your tune up
Mine is going to the shop tomorrow drove 2 minutes away to a gas station and everything works but not the fuel pump
Had a no start issue with an F-150...Turned the ignition to "On" and went under the hood, removed the Schrader valve cap on the fuel rail, then inserted a small tool and very lightly pressed the pin and no fuel sprayed out. That's my way without the pressure gauges.
Shade tree mechanic... 🍩
Can't you just loosen the fuel filter and expect some leak?
@@Terryblount I wouldn't do that...Why risk a fuel spray to the face?
ALWAYS GREAT VIDEOS FROM YOU ERIC !!!!! DAAAMN GOOD MECHANIC IF YOU ASK ME !!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS.
Great info! Thanks for sharing!
You can also have a fuel pump on its last leg, but it still works. I had that problem. I had some hard starts and also poor acceleration. a shop said they measured the fuel pressure but it was good. Since I had about 175K miles, and I wanted to keep the car indefinitely, I thought it was worth replacing--plus I just had a gut feeling it was a bad fuel pump. Don't forget to drive off most of the fuel to like 1/8th of a tank.
So did it work after replacing the fuel pump
Some times relays can go bad and still click. You can also tip the bed instead of dropping the tank, take the bed bolts out of the dr side loosen the bolts on the pass side and tip the bed with a board on hand to hold it up. Tipping the bed is a better way if you don't have a lift or don't want to be on the ground alot.
WVresident what does "tipping the bed" mean?
@@zmarssojourner7435 I think he just means lifting up the drivers side of bed and propping it up with a board or something and the other side stays attached but bolts r loose so it'll move like a hinge kinda but still stay attached to hold that side
Yea relays dont go BAD all the sudden.more than likely..a broken or rubbed wire causes a relay to go out
thanks guys, everything summarized in one place
I've used an Airtex Fuel Pump. They are crap. Mine lasted 2 years. Went back to OEM and hopefully it lasts a lot longer!
Same thing happened to me.
*****
Well Delphi is 200+. I cut a hole to gain access and now I'm waiting till Tom to get my 50$ airtex pump..even if it dies 6 months..I can buy a few..drop em In and still not pay 200+ on parts labor
One trick is to swap the relay with one of the same ones. AC relay for example. Could get you back on the road if it was bad until you could replace it.
+William G Great tip!
excellent point, William G!!!!!!!!! they are identical on my pathfinder. and in the video he says to check fuel pressure. if the pump isn't running, which was confirmed in the beginning then there is no way you're going to have fuel.lol pressure so why bother checking the pressure until you know the pump is active.lol
@@TheMrchris1234 That is what I was thinking lol
EASY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BEST ON THE NET THANKS
Thank you Eric. Great Video!
If a relay clicks that doesn't mean it's good. Could have high contact resistance that would cause low voltage to the pump. On my suburban the horn relay is the same part number. I swapped them around for a quick test. Better test is with a bench power supply (12v) and a multimeter set to lowest setting. Contacts should read less than 1 ohm. Sometimes your leads will read .2 .3 ohms.
interesting point.. thanks for sharing
swapping is good
@@EB-wi4bt in case you haven't fixed your car check your air filter isn't blocked and your spark plugs. If that doesn't work then it might be the pistons losing pressure or the timing belt.
But if you aren't sure about what you are doing always have someone who knows to help you
My wife bought a new Audi Avante. After a year, the fuel pump got noisy enough to hear while sitting in the car. I told her to take the car to the dealer and tell them the fuel pump was going bad. I told her to tell the mechanic that it sounded like an electric razor on a countertop. She did and he agreed it was a fuel pump. They never changed the pump and one week later, it failed and she had to be towed home. She was pissed. The car was fixed under warranty but the kinked a line from the tank, which build up pressure. You could hear the pressure leaking from the fuel cap. She took it back and instead, replaced the fuel filter. I told her to drive the car and the line may unkink. she did and it did. I don't really trust mechanics anymore......
never trust a dealer. they have no reputation to protect so they'll sheist you out of your money any way they can.
Thanks for the help man. my fuel pump relay needed replaced. Big help!
change fuel pump
Thanks Eric short and sweet 👍🏻
on the first step, what if you do hear the fuel pump when turning the key? does that say its not the fuel pump? is it possible that the fuel pump turns on but does not have enough pressure in the output? thanks
Hanz higareda I'm also wondering this. I'm going to check the fuel pressure anyways
Check the pressure anyways.
Turned out the pump was running, but not steady enough to start the truck. I turned the key to engage the pump without starting it. I did that a couple times before trying to start just to get more pressure in the lines and got it to start right up.
Conversely, you may not even hear a modern fuel pump prime. Only 'good' way to verify a Fuel Pump's performance is a Fuel Pump RPM test.
Some GM models have poppet valves rather than fuel injectors. This system needs higher pressure to open and operate the poppets. Typically 60 to 65 psi. The pump may operate but not be able to provide ample pressure. OEM or similar is the better option when purchasing or replacing.
what about the fuel filter? dont you check that before moving to the pump?
you will get some pressure in almost all cases if its a filter
Change filter only cost me $6 bucks still no start unless I hold the throttle in a press position
Oh i change the throttle body sensor with a cheap one lol , before it would not start then started one time with alot of dark smoke and a back fire flow back in the air filter box , I had code reading P0122 and P0101 but after cleaning the maf with the appropriate cleaner the code went away
I appreciate your help , I'm I still looking at a bad MAF sonser?
Usually unless it's really plugged up (which is rare) you'll still be able to have the engine running but it would die at higher rpm due to low pressure
if it cranks but does not start and you suspect the fuel pump you can get somone in the car cranking and you can hit the bottom of the tank with a rubber mallet or similar item as they crank , if this makes the car start the pump is bad . Hitting the tank jars the pump and allows it to make contact and spin . Saves a ton of time on diagnosis , and I've done it tons of times and it always works .
Thank you for the excellent video. So well done.
Good video..however you failed to mention how to identify theinline schrader valve to hook the fuel pressure gauge to. For the novice, it would be easy to make a mistake and hook the gauge to an a/c line On older vehicles.
Ok, here you go. The schrader valve is on the fuel rail and looks like a tire valve. The a/c line runs from the compressor and can not be connected to a fuel gauge, it is much larger. If you confuse these two valves stop what you are doing and tow your car to a repair shop.
If you're that stupid you might as well not have a vehicle take the bus or taxi
Step 1 check for power at the fuel pump!
Step 2 check for pressure at the fuel rail!
Step 3 replace the fuel pump!
Helpfull video, thanks. I have a non start issue which I suspect is down to the fuel pump. I don't have the kit to pressure test the fuel system. I thought I'd disconnect the line at the fuel filter from the tank, if I turn the key to the point where the fuel pump should start I'm guessing fuel should pump out? Do you think that is a conclusive enough test to be worth spending £90 on a new fuel sender unit?
Hi Eric, I appreciate your videos on car repairs as they are much needed. I've a question, do you have a video about cars starting while cold but dies after start up if you don't hold throttle down. The car will start but it will not stay so until I allow time for it to warm up. If you have a video on this please let me know, thanks !
Eric first make sure it is not out of gas
cmon blackie, really -_-
+SG rcelo Just some little humor to brighten your day. No kidding as this happened to my neighbor once. He could not get his car started so he changed the coils and plugs and fuel filter. He dropped about 300 bucks total then he called me. I went over and very soon found he was out of gas. Fuel gauge read 1/4 tank but put in a gallon and a half then it started and ran fine. moral of this is make sure you got gas.
My car didn't work when i installed the fuel pump, so i just give up and called a mechanic. The mechanic came into my house to check the car and it took him an 1hr and a half to find the problem. He went back to the fuel pump and disassembled it, then put on some lubricant to the parts and cleaned it thoroughly. And it worked like a charm..
oh my god you are right...i have a friend with a fiesel car that not star....he remove the fuel injection pump...verigi everiting...and than he look....and the fuel gage broke =)))))))))
smh......then DAMN diesel cars.
you shouldn't make a habit of checking a fuse visually. fuses can get hairline fractures in them from faulty production and can be impossible to see by eye. a multimeter check for continuity across the suspected fuse is the correct course.
Good diagnostic video.
Very good video, this will help a lot of people. Thanks
Thanks a lot for the video......but want to let you know that while he points correctly to the Fuel Pump relay on the cover schematic at 2:20.....at 2:27 he is actually touching the Starter Relay, not the Fuel Pump relay.....it is the black relay at the end of the row, not the corner one....
Great video but I wish you added how to check the pump itself once you figure all that out
Another thing to check is the fuel cutoff or inertia switch which is designed to trip and cutoff power to the fuel pump in the event of an accident. Sometimes they trip or fail with age. Press the reset button down to reset the switch if it should be tripped.
Very good summary.
What about spraying starter fluid?