Fule pump Problem?

[Dddaviso7]

Fuel pump Problem?

Hey, I'm back, with another problem! I believe its the fuel pump. I have realized that it's misspelled, I was in a hurry.

I was driving on the highway, sitting around 65-70mph and all of a sudden it seemed like I was stopping hard, felt like I wasn't getting gas for a few seconds. Then it was fine. Then it happened again. I got off the highway and in the city it stalled at a light, it took a while to start back up and once it did, my idle was rough. I took it to a shop, but it wasn't acting up while I was there, so they had no idea. The guy said that if it happens again I should hit my gas tank, where the pump sits, it should fix it enough until I get home. So it has happened since and I did hit the gas tank where the pump is and it hasn't happened since then. Does this sound like the pump? That was my first guess. If so, how hard are they to change?

 

[Dave R]

Well, it could be the pump or hitting the tank was just a random act that had nothing to do with the truck dying or starting back up. Next time it dies, turn the key off, then back to 'run'. You should hear the pump run for about 2 seconds. If not try cycling the key a few times, if still nothing, then it's definitely the pump.

Changing the pump isn't hard. Easiest way is to get a friend or two, then pull the bed bolts, unhook the rear wiring harness and the fuel filler neck. Then, with the help of the above mentioned friends, lift the bed up and back about 2 feet. You now have easy access to the fuel pump assembly.

 

[Dddaviso7]

Thanks. I'll try the key thing and repost.

 

[Dddaviso7]

I got a new fuel pump installed today and it's still doing it. Its the same feeling as a down shift, how it throws you forward. It slows, throws me forward and then its fine again. What else could it be?? I need some help, i start work next week and its about 10 miles from home.

 

[Mutant Pony]

It sounds more like ice/bad fuel than a pump. Did you change the filter when you changed the pump? Did you inspect the system for water or other contaminants? Are you sure this is even a fuel problem? It might be something else entirely.
If you were a little closer I would just have you bring it by but, Your a little to far. Fixing your vehicle over the computer is almost impossible, We need a lot more info about your vehicle.

 

[Dddaviso7]

Well, i took into the Ford Dealer today. I was just seeing if anyone has had the same problem. Thanks though. I'll let you know what it was. and yeah the filter was changed.

 

[Dddaviso7]

I just noticed i spelled fuel wrong in the title.

Anyway, It turns out its a wiring problem. Apparently the inertia switch has been by passed. I've had the truck for 6 months, and it just started happening 2 weeks ago. I dont get it. They want 700$ to fix it, I dont have it. I guess it'll just sit for a while.

 

[Dave R]

What has the inertia switch got to do with anything? It is after all a switch, it's either on or off, in your case it has been bypassed which technically means it's always on. How can wiring around a switch cause a fuel flow problem? Only thing that can think of is that, for some reason, the bypassed wiring is acting as a resistor and dropping the voltage to your pump. A brand new switch can't be more than $20 and you can get them out of a breaker's yard for $2.

$700? Me thinks the dealer's people were all out back sniffing glue before you got there.

 

[Dddaviso7]

I'm going to get the truck tomorrow, unfixed. They said it has come to there attention that it is a wiring short, and to find the short alone it would take hours. So, i'm going to a local electric shop and seeing home much they want. I dont have the knowledge or the time to do any of this type of work. The dealer said it could be the PCM too.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Yeah, it sounds like it is more than just the bypassed inertia switch. The dealership just told you that the switch had been bypassed so that you knew.
You are making a wiring situation a lot harder than it actually is. With a test light and a buddy to cycle the key it is not hard at all to track down the problem. I would start with the bypass, Redo it to make sure it is getting a good connection. After the problem is found you can worry about replacing the inertia switch.
It has probably had an intermittent problem for a long time and that is why the inertia switch is bypassed. The good thing is that it is not intermittent anymore, that makes it easier to find.
If you want I can talk you through the whole process.

 

[Dddaviso7]

They said its a short, in the wire. And to find that short will cost the most (700 something) So i'm taking it to an Auto electric shop in dearborn. I would love to do it myself, I don't have the know how, time, patience, or the garage. I need it done THIS weekend, no later than monday afternoon. I only have 500 towards it, as of now.

 

[Dddaviso7]

Hey mutant pony, I decided to check into the wiring with a buddy today (the coldest day in a while, -12 wind chill) and we found my problem. the connector that connects the fuel pump to the rest of my system had a very very loose wire. That wire literally fell in to my buddies hands when he wiggled it. So it seems like thats all i need to replace. but, i'll let you know.

 

[jarz21]

What has the inertia switch got to do with anything? It is after all a switch, it's either on or off, in your case it has been bypassed which technically means it's always on. How can wiring around a switch cause a fuel flow problem? Only thing that can think of is that, for some reason, the bypassed wiring is acting as a resistor and dropping the voltage to your pump. A brand new switch can't be more than $20 and you can get them out of a breaker's yard for $2.

$700? Me thinks the dealer's people were all out back sniffing glue before you got there.

Not quite fuel pump related, but I had an equally odd wiring bypass that would cause seemingly unrelated problems. The previous owner bypassed the reverse light switch in the transmission with a manual flip switch on the dash. Somehow I managed to blow my turn signal fuse anytime I used my signals immediately after using the reverse lights. Although I replaced the transmission switch, I actually think the real problem was just a corroded or upside-down connector, so the stupid splice job probably wasn't necessary in the first place.

Give me mechanical work any day. Electric stuff is just irritating. Of course, the only way you learn is to try. Wiring diagrams and multimeters are extremely helpful tools.

 

[Dddaviso7]

The inertia switch was by passed, but it was done so in a horrible manner. The wiring job was sh*t. So it was loose in the connector ( basically fell out with a little tug/wiggle). Which would lose connection and cut off my fuel pump for a second at random times. So the bypass itself isn't a huge problem, just how it was done, was.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Which is precisly why I said to start there.
Wiring doesn't just go bad. Look for something obvious (like a bypassed inertia switch) and you will find the problem.
You can't tell me there isn't a heated garage down there that you could rent for a couple hours. I'm sure I could find one if I were there.