Car won't start; suspect fuel problem

[Al Gray]

Have you checked for power at the pump and ground? A poor ground has left me sitting the side of the road once.

Not being an electrical whiz be more specific. I have a multi-meter. Exactly how would I check the pump and ground.

[Mordan]

buying a new pump is not a bad investment anyways if you plan keeping the car

[Al Gray]

buying a new pump is not a bad investment anyways if you plan keeping the car

I just installed a brand new Bosch electric fuel pump from BMA. I know the old pump was the original with 220,000 miles because it still had those rotten factory hose clamps which are a PIA to get off. We try to start the car and I cannot hear any noise or whining from the new pump while we are cranking the engine. I had the same problem with the old pump. I replaced the pump relay. The fuse is good. The electrical connection to the pump looked good. I am frustrated. What else could becausing a brand new pump not to work. I would love some ideas and things to check.

Al Gray

[Al Gray]

I just installed a brand new Bosch electric fuel pump from BMA. I know the old pump was the original with 220,000 miles because it still had those rotten factory hose clamps which are a PIA to get off. We try to start the car and I cannot hear any noise or whining from the new pump while we are cranking the engine. I had the same problem with the old pump. I replaced the pump relay. The fuse is good. The electrical connection to the pump looked good. I am frustrated. What else could becausing a brand new pump not to work. I would love some ideas and things to check.

Al Gray

When I replaced the pump the new Bosch pump had spade type clips and an adapter. The old wires had a coneector with a whole in it that was held on with a nut. You could tell one wire lead was slightly lareger. The new connecors I couldn't really tell which was which. I then read the Bosch installation instructions and apparently the polarity does make a difference. At this point I guess I need to take the pump out again and switch the position of the two connectors. Any thoughts?

[Ross]

Have you confirmed power getting to the pump? And ground? All I notice is your mention that the connections looked good.
Polarity will make a difference.

[whiskychaser]

Have you confirmed power getting to the pump? And ground? All I notice is your mention that the connections looked good.
Polarity will make a difference.

x1
Can you confirm you have a good ground and 12V supply at the pump? No insult intended - its easy to confuse readings on a DMM. With an analog you just watch if the needle swings right or pegs hard left

[Al Gray]

x1
Can you confirm you have a good ground and 12V supply at the pump? No insult intended - its easy to confuse readings on a DMM. With an analog you just watch if the needle swings right or pegs hard left

Frustrated and pissed after installing a new fuel pump to no avail I took the car to my trusted independent mechanic. The crank sensor was the problem. $108 plus labor got the car started and it is now running. I don't feel bad about replacing the fuel pump because it was original and would evnetually fail. There is a couple remaining problems however. Seems we have a power steering fluid leak. The resevoir is located up on driver's side fender well. Right below it is a hose from the radiator which has been weakened because of the power steering fluid dripping on it. My mechanic should solve that problem hopefully. I try to do as many repairs as I can but sometimes I just get stymied.

To make matters worse I found out I had a fractured navicular bone in my left foot. I don't even know how that happened because I can't recall an event that would cause that trauma. I needed to have surgery and I now have a screw in my left foot that will stay their permanently (they even countersunk the screw so that the head is just below the bone surface). I will have a Frankenstein-like boot with a lot of velcro instead of a cast and crutches of course for the next 6 weeks so my mobility is limited.

Thanks again to all that tried to help me with this project. You guys are the best!

Best regards,

Al Gray