Fuel pump??

J

JR

Registered
Hello!! Where do I start? Well - actually, my 96 Mark doesn't!! The fuel pump works sometimes/sometimes not. The thing that's got me is that if it starts - it runs great. Any other electric fuel pump I've ever had trouble with would stumble or stall while running as well as troublesome starts. The fuel pump relay is working (I swapped it with the horn relay and you can feel it click when the key is turned to the "run" position.) It has been getting progressively worse over the past several months and now hardly ever works. I don't have the tools/space to drop the tank myself so I want to make sure I've checked everything I can before I spend the cash. Any ideas?? It seems to me to be some kind of flakey electrical connection sort of thing. Lastly, the first time it gave me any trouble was RIGHT after I changed the spark plugs. I went back over everything I had to remove and everything looks ok. The car has 118,000 miles so it could be coincidence???

Thanks in advance -- Jeremy
 
If you're sure that the pump is not working sometimes, I'd go ahead and replace it. When you've got the tank down, that would be a good time to check all the wires and lines going to the pump also.
 
Thanks for the response, Bill. I'm not sure that it's the pump that is not working sometimes. It seems to me that it's not getting powered properly. I'm trying to find out if there is anything that could be causing the fuel pump to not be powered up. Sensors? Inertia Switch? I love my Mark, but I'm trying to be reasonably certain that the tank needs to be dropped to solve the problem before I pay someone to do it.

Thanks - Jeremy
 
I've been told that if you've got over 100,000 on your Mark and haven't replaced the fuel pump yet...you are due. So it's very possible that you will need a pump soon if you haven't already replaced it, whether it's the problem this time or not.
 
Thanks for the thought, I know what you mean - but to start replacing everything that's due on this car is not practical for me. I'm trying to avoid paying for replacing the fuel pump just to find out the inertia switch stuck in the "off" position, etc. Like I said, I love my Mark - but its got a couple of years left at best, and a fair share of repairs at that. Just want to fix the problem. Can you or anyone else think of anything I should look at before I concede it's the fuel pump and cough up the cash??

Thanks again - Jeremy
 
Yes, I changed the fuel filter (under the fender) about 3 months ago. I haven't checked the pressure with a gauge, but I've pushed in the center of the relief valve on the fuel rail. When I hear the pump energize, fuel squirts out. When I don't hear the pump, just a dribble. Why, what's up?
 
You have a bad fuel pump....
you can either replace it now, or wait until it wont run the car at all.

Why is it an intermittant problem?
probaby a bad spot in the windings of the pump and the pump is shorting out internally.

If you feel comfortable with an electric motor shorting out inside your gas tank, then..carry on.

FWIW:
My original pump died at 150,000 miles, at 300,000 miles I PROACTIVELY replaced my fuel pump again to eliminate my car leaving me stranded again.
My second pump was still running fine when I replaced it.

the pump is only 100.00 if you shop around, it's cheap insurance that I wont have to take a 100+ dollar "wrecker ride".
 
Nyghtshayd said:
Have fun, I know I did when it was my time.
Click to expand...

My first one died at the dragstrip.
We replaced it in the pits, on the ground with only two jackstands..
We only jacked up the passenger side of the car.
Took us about 4 hours, considering the crappy conditions we had to work in.

Subsequent fuel pump jobs were alot easier and quicker than "the first one".
knowing what needs to be done in what order and being prepared for things.

Example:That STUPID Crossover hose that goes OVER the driveshaft (WTH?)

Overall its not a really hard job, the exhaust is easy because it doesnt go OVER the rear axles, like on most cars.
On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate it a 3 in the PITA factor
 
Hey, thanks for the help. I appreciate the thought, Nyghtshade! I found a local mechanic who agreed to replace the pump and sock ONLY, for a reasonable price. It seems like most around here will only replace the whole assembly - at $450.00 - $650.00 for the part alone! I really appreciate "yuse guy's" time on my problem, it really seemed like something electrical to me. I wanted to be reasonably sure that it was the pump before having it replaced - and it was!! Still running a little rough, I guess it's time to look at the IAC. I've still got a few things to button down, but I almost forgot how much fun it is to drive my Mark!!

Thanks again, Jeremy
 
See that you got it
how much was this "reasonable price"?

Running rough probably ISN'T the IAC...
 
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