• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Little Help with Fuel pump

  • Thread starter Thread starter bbbngowc
  • Start date Start date Dec 13, 2009
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 13, 2009
#1
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #1
Hi Guys,

I'm a noob at this whole mechanic hobby, but I do like to diy and I have a 1991 Mustang GT Hatch to play with.

Car has been sitting up from August. Not driving or starting at all. The other day I put in a battery and go to start it up but I did not hear the fuel pump prime. Of course it did not start (just kept rolling over and over). So I was wondering what do I check first? I've read a few posts but they have me completely lost. So I just need a step by step on what to do in laymans term.

I read a thread about checking the relay.

Where is the relay in this car? Under the drivers seat or in the engine bay on the passenger side?

C'mon guys ... help ma ... step 1?
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Dec 13, 2009
#2
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #2
Look under the drivers seat. Id pull the seat as it makes it easier to test the relay.

Turn the key on and check the voltages on each of the wires. Post up the voltages you get for each colored wire.
 
B

BYRDPE

Founding Member
Nov 4, 1998
1,556
0
37
Memphis,Tn.
Dec 13, 2009
#3
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #3
i have a 92 and my relay is located under the maf meter under the hood.
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Dec 13, 2009
#4
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #4
BYRDPE said:
i have a 92 and my relay is located under the maf meter under the hood.
Click to expand...

His is a 91.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 13, 2009
#5
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #5
Ok, I took a pic of the only wires under my seat. I should also mention that the previous owner installed a fuel pump kill switch. I know that adds to the troubleshooting.

 
B

BYRDPE

Founding Member
Nov 4, 1998
1,556
0
37
Memphis,Tn.
Dec 13, 2009
#6
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #6
bbbngowc said:
Ok, I took a pic of the only wires under my seat. I should also mention that the previous owner installed a fuel pump kill switch. I know that adds to the troubleshooting.

Click to expand...

that looks like the relay.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 13, 2009
#7
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #7
How do I test it?
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 13, 2009
#8
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #8
bbbngowc said:
How do I test it?
Click to expand...

I placed a test light to it and I'm getting voltage to all wires except the green one. I assume the green is ground.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 13, 2009
#9
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #9
There's a relay under the MAF on the passengers side that clicks whenever I turn the ignition on/off. Could that be the issue, or is it suppose to do that?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Dec 13, 2009
#10
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #10
bbbngowc said:
There's a relay under the MAF on the passengers side that clicks whenever I turn the ignition on/off. Could that be the issue, or is it suppose to do that?
Click to expand...

If the car won't start:

Check your TPS reading key-on with the engine off. Because of your observation, the TPS might have a short and the EEC thinks you're at WOT (that's your WOT relay clicking. The EEC energizes it at the EEC's definition of WOT, per the TPS).

This will keep injectors from firing and the car won't start.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 13, 2009
#11
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #11
HISSIN50 said:
If the car won't start:

Check your TPS reading key-on with the engine off. Because of your observation, the TPS might have a short and the EEC thinks you're at WOT (that's your WOT relay clicking. The EEC energizes it at the EEC's definition of WOT, per the TPS).

This will keep injectors from firing and the car won't start.
Click to expand...

Ok TPS is the throttle positioning sensor right?

How do I check it?
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Dec 13, 2009
#12
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #12
With a volt meter.

Key on use the Green and Black TPS wires to get the reading.

Either way you should here the pump prime once the key is cycled on. Have you check the inertia switch in the trunk? Make sure its pushed down.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 13, 2009
#13
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #13
liljoe07 said:
With a volt meter.

Key on use the Green and Black TPS wires to get the reading.

Either way you should here the pump prime once the key is cycled on. Have you check the inertia switch in the trunk? Make sure its pushed down.
Click to expand...

How will I hear the pump prime if that's what I'm troubleshooting?

Where is the inertia switch?
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Dec 13, 2009
#14
  • Dec 13, 2009
  • #14
What I meant was, that even if the TPS voltage is too high, the pump will still prime.

Forget everything..... You said you have voltage at all the wires but the dark green wire. Thats the wire that goes to the pump. so when the relay engages that wire should be hot.
Use the diagram below and run a jumper wire from the Fuel pump trigger to a ground. Turn the key on and see if the pump primes.
View attachment 236617

The connector above is located behind the driver side strut tower.

Inertia switch is located in the trunk, mounted on the trunk frame right behind the driverside tail light.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 14, 2009
#15
  • Dec 14, 2009
  • #15
I tried to what you suggested with the diagram, but the pump still didn't prime.

I took a wire and connected it to the negative battery terminal and then stuck the other end in the fuel pump trigger. Did I do that right?
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Dec 14, 2009
#16
  • Dec 14, 2009
  • #16
Remove the fuel pump relay, use a jumper wire and go from the Pink/ black wire to the Dark green wire. Pump should come on. If it does, then replace the relay. If it doesnt, then the problem is else where.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 14, 2009
#17
  • Dec 14, 2009
  • #17
Will try that and let you know.
 
B

bbbngowc

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
32
0
0
Dec 15, 2009
#18
  • Dec 15, 2009
  • #18
liljoe07 said:
Remove the fuel pump relay, use a jumper wire and go from the Pink/ black wire to the Dark green wire. Pump should come on. If it does, then replace the relay. If it doesnt, then the problem is else where.
Click to expand...

Oh man. This worked. I jumped the wires and the pump came right on. sweet! So I'm going to pick up a new relay today.

Do you suppose the relay went bad from natural wear/tear or there is an electrical issue that should probably be investigated?
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Dec 15, 2009
#19
  • Dec 15, 2009
  • #19
bbbngowc said:
Oh man. This worked. I jumped the wires and the pump came right on. sweet! So I'm going to pick up a new relay today.

Do you suppose the relay went bad from natural wear/tear or there is an electrical issue that should probably be investigated?
Click to expand...

Just to make sure its not ECM related. Test the pink/black wire and the Red wire. Bothe should have voltage with the key on. If thats good, the use the test light or meter and go from the Pink/black wire to the orange/light blue wire. Turn key, test light or meter should register 12v or so for a short time, then go off. That would be the ECM controlling the ground properly, and everything is fine there. IF all that checks out. just replace the relay.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
89 foxbody fuel pump not priming
  • Dubsantana
  • Jul 6, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
470
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 12, 2025
AeroCoupe
D
Fuel Erratic Fuel Pressure 1985 GT
  • DienstXIV
  • Jan 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
634
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 16, 2026
AeroCoupe
Resolved Holley terminator integration into CCRM
  • BrandonMP
  • Feb 25, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
223
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Feb 27, 2026
BrandonMP
4
86 gt replaced fuel pump won’t prime / amp drops in key on position
  • 4eye86fox
  • Jan 10, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
257
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 12, 2026
Noobz347
L
Engine Why won't the motor start if I have spark and fuel
  • LeviAnderson
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
398
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 20, 2025
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang 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?