• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech

Fuel Pump Issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter StangGrrLy
  • Start date Start date May 15, 2004

StangGrrLy

Miss StangNet 2003
Founding Member
Sep 25, 2002
1,330
0
0
Regina, Saskachewan
May 15, 2004
#1
  • May 15, 2004
  • #1
My fuel pump died the other day, I kinda saw it coming because it started making that nice whiney sick cat sound. So she gets a brand new pump and a new filter and I'm back on the road.

I seem to have this problem where I'll have things fixed, get the car back from the mechanic, it will work for a few days and then the problem comes up again. This happened with my starter and my rad, and now it's happened with the fuel pump again.

The thing worked fine for the rest of the day, it started perfectly about 4 times that day, but when I went to start it up the next morning, the pump was dead again.

So my question is, what do you guys think could have caused this? Me and my dad were thinking it was either the fuel pump cut-off switch or the fuse, seeing as it just got a brand new pump. Problem is, I can't find the cut-off switch to check it. I poked around through that hole in the back of the hatch and couldn't find the button. I can't find the fuse either, owner's manual says it's right by the starter relay on the fender, but I don't see it. Am I just blind or am I missing something? Or do you think I should just take it back to the shop and make them deal with it, seeing as they just fixed this problem like two days ago?
 
P

Pro-Hawk

New Member
Dec 4, 2003
971
0
0
West Texas
May 15, 2004
#2
  • May 15, 2004
  • #2
StangGrrLy said:
My fuel pump died the other day, I kinda saw it coming because it started making that nice whiney sick cat sound. So she gets a brand new pump and a new filter and I'm back on the road.

I seem to have this problem where I'll have things fixed, get the car back from the mechanic, it will work for a few days and then the problem comes up again. This happened with my starter and my rad, and now it's happened with the fuel pump again.

The thing worked fine for the rest of the day, it started perfectly about 4 times that day, but when I went to start it up the next morning, the pump was dead again.

So my question is, what do you guys think could have caused this? Me and my dad were thinking it was either the fuel pump cut-off switch or the fuse, seeing as it just got a brand new pump. Problem is, I can't find the cut-off switch to check it. I poked around through that hole in the back of the hatch and couldn't find the button. I can't find the fuse either, owner's manual says it's right by the starter relay on the fender, but I don't see it. Am I just blind or am I missing something? Or do you think I should just take it back to the shop and make them deal with it, seeing as they just fixed this problem like two days ago?
Click to expand...

It sounds weird that it messed up for the second time from this shop and also did this on other things you had doen also I would try to rest set the pump first before I call them. The switch is located near the latch for the hatch ( lol) on the spare tire well is. If this doesn't work I would call the guy back up and see what he plans to do about this pump that was just installed. I would probly have your dad go with you or call for you since in todays world people still take adavantage of women with car troubles. I'm not saying you don't know anything about cars etc but they would be less likely to do it to a guy...sad but true
 

Asha'man

Founding Member
Feb 5, 2002
1,909
0
0
Denver
May 16, 2004
#3
  • May 16, 2004
  • #3
Like I told you once before, quit going to that mechanic.

Ash
 

StangGrrLy

Miss StangNet 2003
Founding Member
Sep 25, 2002
1,330
0
0
Regina, Saskachewan
May 16, 2004
#4
  • May 16, 2004
  • #4
LOL this is a totally different place and a different mechanic.

I made sure the cut-off switch was set, and the fuses and lines look OK, so all I can think of is that I got a bad pump. But how often does that happen?

Should be easily taken care of, only thing that pees me off is that I've been without my wheels for the entire weekend cuz the shop isn't open till Monday.
 
P

Pro-Hawk

New Member
Dec 4, 2003
971
0
0
West Texas
May 16, 2004
#5
  • May 16, 2004
  • #5
StangGrrLy said:
LOL this is a totally different place and a different mechanic.

I made sure the cut-off switch was set, and the fuses and lines look OK, so all I can think of is that I got a bad pump. But how often does that happen?

Should be easily taken care of, only thing that pees me off is that I've been without my wheels for the entire weekend cuz the shop isn't open till Monday.
Click to expand...

I would call them up Monday and ask what they plan to do about it, Or better yet have your dad call them up !!
 

Dr_EluSivE

Founding Member
Apr 24, 2002
2,155
0
56
Central Illinois
May 16, 2004
#6
  • May 16, 2004
  • #6
probably not the pump, Probably a bad relay that is failing intermittintly, as the relays start to go bad they will sometimes work, sometimes not. The can also "brown out" a pump by supplying a lower than normal voltage and actually damage the pump itself. Depending on year the relay will be under the drivers seat or in the IRCM box under the hood.

Dr.
 

freakintiger

New Member
Apr 8, 2004
310
0
0
Virginia Beach, VA :TAX CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!
May 16, 2004
#7
  • May 16, 2004
  • #7
Same thing happened to me. I just changed out my fuel pump(relay was fine opened and closed, harness passed a check, and fuse was fine)in my 93 2.3 N/A vert, and it started up that night just fine several times. Next morning I get in the car to go to work, and nothing. So I check the for pressure at the rail, none, then make sure I have a good connection on the neg battery cable(I removed it during the repair then replaced it),yes, then checked the harness connection by the tank, okay. Then I try cranking it again, nothing, then I get annoyed and work the key back and forth in the ignition several times. I then set it to the on position and hear my pump prime the system, then I attempted to start the car, she started right up and no problems ever since!
I should add I was praying for the car to start.
Hope that helps, I'm thinking my car's problem was in the ignition at the steering column, something sticking or corroded?
 

furvel

New Member
Feb 28, 2004
29
0
0
Ohio
May 16, 2004
#8
  • May 16, 2004
  • #8
Crap, my fuel pump has been singin' me a song for about 4000 miles now. Doesn't sound like a sick cat, more like a loud constant whine. The local Ford dealer swears it's normal, but I have had my doubts. Sorry I can't help you StangGrrLy, I'm just curious if your pump (or anyone else's for that matter) ever sounded like mine, and if it failed soon after.
 
J

jasoncarmony

New Member
Mar 2, 2004
37
0
0
Live wherever the Air Force sends me. Right now I
May 16, 2004
#9
  • May 16, 2004
  • #9
I have a fuel pump question. I've got an 88 2.3N/a vert and I think the fuel pump is going out. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what type I should get? I don't want to spend a whole lot, but I don't want trash either. Plus, any suggestions where I could get it.
I will give my car's symptoms and get your opinions as well. First of all, I am getting about 16 miles to the gallon, which majorly sucks. Second, when I am about 50 miles or so from empty, if I make a sharp turn, my car dies. I don't have to be going fast of slow, the car just dies going around corners when I'm closing on empty. Also, I have start up issues in the morning and it has even begun happening a little more regularly. I will start it up and it will die, then I retry and it seems fine.
Any ideas or suggestions would be great.
 

Dr_EluSivE

Founding Member
Apr 24, 2002
2,155
0
56
Central Illinois
May 17, 2004
#10
  • May 17, 2004
  • #10
furvel said:
Crap, my fuel pump has been singin' me a song for about 4000 miles now. Doesn't sound like a sick cat, more like a loud constant whine. The local Ford dealer swears it's normal, but I have had my doubts. Sorry I can't help you StangGrrLy, I'm just curious if your pump (or anyone else's for that matter) ever sounded like mine, and if it failed soon after.
Click to expand...
ALL ford fuel pumps whine, its normal, Mine has whined for at least 55,000 miles.

Dr.
 

StangGrrLy

Miss StangNet 2003
Founding Member
Sep 25, 2002
1,330
0
0
Regina, Saskachewan
May 17, 2004
#11
  • May 17, 2004
  • #11
That's true, mine was always quite loud, it just started to be noticeably louder/yuckier sounding right before it crapped.

Well I just sent her away on the tow truck, I'll post up later today what ended up being the problem....whether it was mechanical incompetance or a faulty pump or whatever.
 

Lex

Founding Member
Mar 2, 2004
248
0
16
Halifax NS. Canada
May 17, 2004
#12
  • May 17, 2004
  • #12
I bet my little money I have its the fuel pump. To work then not work that quick makes me wonder . I seen it happen, but just perhaps I could be wrong. I love to hear what it is though. Keep us posted
 

StangGrrLy

Miss StangNet 2003
Founding Member
Sep 25, 2002
1,330
0
0
Regina, Saskachewan
May 17, 2004
#13
  • May 17, 2004
  • #13
I just heard back, it ended up being a faulty fuel pump. What are the f-in chances that the brand new pump would be faulty?
 

Lex

Founding Member
Mar 2, 2004
248
0
16
Halifax NS. Canada
May 17, 2004
#14
  • May 17, 2004
  • #14
Woo Hoo Points for me. I think I may have a faulty oil pressure switch, Well I hope.. anyways. It could be the oil pump or sending unit... So it just proves that new isn't always good ..
 
Q

quik87

Founding Member
Apr 13, 2001
161
0
0
florida
May 17, 2004
#15
  • May 17, 2004
  • #15
not sure if this is what caused your problem but theres 2 relays that i changed cuz my fuel pump wasn't working....theres one under the drivers seat and one in the passenger side kick panel area. actually it's pretty much under the right front speaker.....pita to get to. but i changed both out and it worked fine. i suggest when you get your car back.....switch these out just in case that was the problem.
 
S

stanatic

Founding Member
Sep 1, 2000
259
0
0
Los Angeles, CA
May 20, 2004
#16
  • May 20, 2004
  • #16
furvel said:
Crap, my fuel pump has been singin' me a song for about 4000 miles now. Doesn't sound like a sick cat, more like a loud constant whine. The local Ford dealer swears it's normal, but I have had my doubts.
Click to expand...

I had a new pump installed about a year ago. I've noticed for about the last 6 months that it has been making a whine sound. I didn't think too much about it, but lately when I'm warming up the car the rpm's drop here and there and it almost feels like the car wants to turn off. So I got out of the car to listen to the pump. I noticed that when there would be a dip in the sound of the pump, that's when the rpms would drop. Does that mean the pump is going south? What else would cause that whine sound to dip in pitch?
 

Keasbey

Member
Jun 12, 2003
915
0
16
Montreal
May 20, 2004
#17
  • May 20, 2004
  • #17
Okay, first Taryn, for the fuse near the starter relay, check for a little box screwed up to this relay, after that check for medium/big yellow wire. This wire will separate in 5 little wires. After that, follow the 3rd wire ( not sure but I think it is the 3rd one) and check for a kind of black half-cylinder. It is supposed to be written Fusible 18 Ga. on it..


I know it was a faulty fuel pump.. but this info could be useful ya know!
 
P

Pro-Hawk

New Member
Dec 4, 2003
971
0
0
West Texas
May 20, 2004
#18
  • May 20, 2004
  • #18
StangGrrLy said:
I just heard back, it ended up being a faulty fuel pump. What are the f-in chances that the brand new pump would be faulty?
Click to expand...

No comment. Now did they replace it for free
 

StangGrrLy

Miss StangNet 2003
Founding Member
Sep 25, 2002
1,330
0
0
Regina, Saskachewan
May 21, 2004
#19
  • May 21, 2004
  • #19
Yeah I didn't have to pay for anything. It was still a huge pain in the butt though.
 
P

Pro-Hawk

New Member
Dec 4, 2003
971
0
0
West Texas
May 21, 2004
#20
  • May 21, 2004
  • #20
StangGrrLy said:
Yeah I didn't have to pay for anything. It was still a huge pain in the butt though.
Click to expand...

I bet anytime I'm out of a car for a minute I go insane
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
2004 Mustang GT – Fuel Pump Not Priming
  • Fayio
  • Apr 22, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
177
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Apr 27, 2026
n0v8or
N
M
01 mustang 3.8 fuel pressure issue
  • Mhaley2006
  • May 29, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
58
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 29, 2026
Mhaley2006
M
C
98 gt fuel pressure issues
  • chasecollier1984
  • Jun 2, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
27
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jun 2, 2026
chasecollier1984
C
B
'03 GT Fuel Pump/Pressure/Delivery Issue
  • Brodach
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
818
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
gkomo
A
1987 5.0 speed density Foxbody crank no start
  • Alan2204
  • May 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
148
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 30, 2026
Mcmahst
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?