Troubleshooters Help
 

My car just quit suddenly as I was driving last night. It would crank fine but no start. I had it towed to my mechanic and he's telling me I need a new fuel pump. Is this how fuel pumps "go out"--they just die? Are there symptoms that appear before this happens? How do I make sure I'm not getting homered by the mechanic? Maybe I'm just paranoid.

If it has something to do with the fuel delivery than it's possible. But in previous experiences, usually a bad fuel pump will make noise and then die. It is possible it could be the fuel pump relay, but then again there's an endless assortment of possibilities that could be wrong with the vague description you gave.

Yes, fuel pumps "appear" to die suddenly. They'll usually make noise first, but that doesn't mean we hear them. They generally do not cause mysterious running problems first. They just stop.

It could be anything and everything from a corroded fuse or loose relay to clogged fuel line to a burned out fuel pump electric motor. Ask him how he tested the old fuel pump; pressure and delivery or did it just not run? Ask for the old fuel pump. You will be depending upon his professional abilities and honesty. Good luck, Jim

The car had been running fine up to this point--and I could not hear any noise coming from the fuel pump itself. Then again my car is so loud it may have been covered up by the exhaust or the oil cooler fan that makes noise too when the ignition is turned on. I'll ask my mechanic some more questions and ask to see the old fuel pump. Thanks for the quick help! He's getting it done in 1 day so I guess I can't complain too much!

I don't see that much risk here. I mean, if the new fuel pump solves the problem, then you get treated fairly as long as the labor charge is not too high. If he really tried, I imagine JW could change a fuel pump while holding his breath. That's probably an exaggeration, but I'm pretty sure it's less than a 1-beer job.

Mine (fuel pump) died with no warning. Drove it home and parked it in the garage one evening, went to start it the next morning -- no start. I did some trouble-shooting and discovered the fuel pump had quit functioning, put a new pump in and all is well. You are, ultimately, at the mercy of whoever does your repairs, that's one reason why I do my own.

Jerry M
'78 SC

I had a bucking bronco for 160 miles..

After I shut the car off it wouldn't re-start for 4 hrs. then the engine was bucking. I got back on I-10 in W Texas looking for a place to do an overnighter and repair.. Got to this high end motel and was bored for 3 days + 1 repair day.. it was like I had 4 cylinders, but would be able to do 60-70mph.. wound up in some border type town in New Mexico.. so the pump kept me from being road kill........Ron

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/Motel8c.jpg

Well the fuel pump got replaced and now the car seems to run smoother as well. Now that I think about it it has been idleing a little rough at times and not starting as well. We'll see if this solves it. I got outta the mechanic for under $400--don't see that too often.