Killing fuel pumps

[Wew]

I have been dancing around this,for a while but I have to just fess up and wonder what are the odds. I have killed two fuel pumps! How? Car running and I popped the clutch.
Crank but won't turnover. Tested and fuel pump was dead.( brand new). Removed and returned and got a new one. Hooked it up and turned right over.
So I back the car out of the driveway and kill it.. I know, I sound like a rookie or worse, but I actually know how to drive a clutch. I don't get it? What are these odds of two fuel pumps dying the same way?
Back story. 82 body and electric with and trying to adapt to a 78 engine with msd ignition tach adaptor and coil. I get spark.
The guy who owned the chassis wired in a kill switch for brake lights Yep, running from the law he had a brake light kill switch. I left it in place just in case. But a man like that, could he have set something up that is potentially triggering some kind of fuel pump kill? Anyone run across something like this?
Perplexed.

Gary

[Porboynz]

Are the pumps actually dead or just not getting 12V? Sounds like a dodgy connection aggravated by your "spirited" starting manoeuvre.

[DRACO A5OG]

Are they Bosch? If so that is the main cause.

I purchased the Porsche "Bosch" 2.2 years later FAIL. My original is still working. Lucky I kept is as a back up.

[timmy2]

What is the name of the place that rebuilds originals really well?
Pacific something? It's late, C.R.S...

[T77911S]

motors are pretty robust and hard to kill and I cant believe I am asking some of these questions but just in case something is killing them:

are you testing them once removed
is the power to the pump good. 12v
is the ground side good
how is the alternator. its not putting out higher than 14.5v
is it connected correctly. + to +, - to ground. (would it run backwards?)
this would cause more problems than a pump, but any chance trash in the tank.
check for a bad connection. could be vibrations from driving could be making a wire make/break contact. (goes back to are you testing them off the car)

[Discseven]

For a period I was not experiencing much longevity with Fpumps. Not as short a working frame as you Gary but I wondered about it... 3 pumps over 4 years. Didn't seem right, but I wasn't on the forum then---so didn't question it. Last pump has been in for 5 years. Not sure what brand it is.

[E Sully]

Have you verified your fuel tank and filter screens are clean? The fuel pumps are cooled and lubricated by the gasoline. If the flow from the tank is restricted, a fuel pump will not last long.

[john walker's workshop]

Kill switch hidden somewhere? Crusty fuel pump fuse or relay connection?

[manbridge 74]

I would,

See how many amps pump is using under load.

Voltage drop test the circuit.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by timmy2

What is the name of the place that rebuilds originals really well?
Pacific something? It's late, C.R.S...

FIC: Fuel Injection Corporation - Testing and R & R Program

Sending my almost new Bosch to them, they suspect the armature making the buzzing sound.

[zedsn]

Maybe for some reason you are getting a voltage spike when the engine dies killing the pump. I can't see it but can't see you killing a new pump just by having the car die on you either.

[RichardNew]

You want Fuel Injection Corp.




Richard Newton
Car Tech Stuff

[Wew]

Thanks gents for all of the insight and recommendations. Fuel tank is brand new. Accumulator and filter have 1,000 miles on them, but could be culprit.
The other stuff, I am going to commodore my electrician friend to confirm volage output for the pump, alternator etc. local guy said maybe fuel is restricted and making pump work to hard and it's burning out. So I will also check on fuel lines, for any kinks or obstructions, and of course the potential of the mystery electric kill switch.
Sunday will be my fun day.
Thanks all,

Gary

[DRACO A5OG]

Keep us updated Brother! Break a Leg!

[Wew]

Picking up new fuel pump tomorrow. Will switch out then. I am also going to see if I can reroute the two fuel lines where they go over the aluminum cross bar and then to the pump and the tank. I am also going to take wiring from my old ride and use on this ride. I am going to clean the contacts for the relay. Guy at shop said to run an old clutch cable ( clean) through each fuel line just in case any gunk is hiding in there and starving the pumps causing them to burn out.
Bought some sand paper and started sprucing up me old fuch's.
Thanks for the encouragement and will report back soon.
Gary

[Wew]

O.k. Mission accomplished. Dropped cross member and steering column. When switching the pump I re routed the fuel lines making sure they did not get pinched or pressed when tightening everything back up. I also put compressed air into the fuel line and also on the little do hickey on the end of the fuel pump. Car fired right up. So the obvious question is by compressing the fuel line ( not sure how much because hidden behind steering rack ) and had no play, they were tight, but not anymore. Maybe that was enough to make the pump motor work extra hard and burn out so quickly? I am going to test the alternator as well.
I could not find a mystery kill switch and I did clean all the contacts on the relays and receptacles.
Thanks all for the help and insight.
I hope this is the last time I post on this topic.

Gary