Fuel Fuel Pump not Priming

[Mcmahst]

My car (73 with 87 TBird 5.0 drivetrain completely stock) is not at my home so I’m not at it all the time. It sat for about two months in my garage in Arizona and when I came back to it, turned the key the pump did not prime. I remember messing with it for about a few hours and finally the pump primed. The Mustang started fine and for the next week I drove it around no problem. So this time, it set for about a month and it’s doing the same thing although I’m not having the same luck in resolving the problem. I checked the voltage going to the pump and I’ve got 13.2. Put my fuel pressure gauge on it and I have no PSI. Any other ideas to goose it?

 

[RaggedGT]

In tank pump? Thump the tank with a mallet

 

[Mcmahst]

Yes, a little over 1 old. Really? One idea I had, since it’s dc volt pump, was to use muy Power Probe and try and run it backwards, in case some small particle is jamming it. I don’t suspect that (am using Staybuild fuel treatment in tank).

 

[Mcmahst]

Thumping did not work.

 

[AeroCoupe]

So I’m just gonna go out on a limb and say the tank needs to be pulled. Check the connections to the pump and if those are good then the pump is DOA and needs to be replaced.

What brand and model of pump is it?

 

[Mcmahst]

Yea, I’m sure you’re right. It was an eBay pump (It has a lifetime warrantee ). Part of a fuel tank hack to use a stock 71-73 fuel tank, and install an in tank EFI pump through the vent opening. It’s worked great. I need to find a replacement that’s a higher quality pump to start with.

I’ll pull it out and see what’s up.

 

[manicmechanic007]

87 T Bird running gear complete with a self test connector?
Jump the two right hand terminals on that connector and the in tank fuel pump should run

 

[manicmechanic007]

Use a New Old Stock factory Ford pump and slip it in there
Look at a picture of a 88 Turbo coupe fuel pump for a reference

 

[Mcmahst]

Yea, jumping the test connector didn’t result in the pump running. I’ll look into the pump you suggested, I have a narrow opening to fit the hanger/pump assembly through. Thanks.

 

[manicmechanic007]

Well, then I would see if jumping the self test connector results in voltage hitting the fuel pump connector

 

[Mcmahst]

That’s the first thing I did, see post #1. It’s not a relay, voltage issue, or ground issue. I verified those before asking for out of the box ideas. Rubber mallet was new to me, but didn’t solve it. I’m sure it’s a bad pump. I’ll pull it and bench test it. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[AeroCoupe]

Let us know what you find out.