1988 Ford Mustang 2.3 Fuel Pump Problem

[Prairiebabe]

Alrighty, I'm going to start this from the begining. 2 days ago, my intank fuel pump in my 1988 Mustang LX 2.3 stopped humming. (good thing it died in my back yard). I went and bought a new fuel pump and dropped the tank. Before putting in the new one, I had a friend test the original one in the tank. The one just taken out of the tank is still working. (the one i bought wasn't funny enough) So we put back on the FULL gas tank with the original pump in it. Now the pump doesn't turn on when you go crank over the engine (the humming doesn't start). We checked all the fuses in and around the car. Searched and finally found the relay (under the drivers seat). We got a new relay, and it still doesn't work. But if you "override" the relay with a piece of wire, the pump will work but you still can't start the car. Can anyone give me an explanation quick? I need my car running in less that 36 hours and stores are only open 5 hours tomorrow! PLS HELP!

[rivolette]

How about you try the new pum (if you still have it) and bypass the relay, then have someone look into the carburator while you're cranking the engine, to see if fuel is getting to the engine, and if so how much.

My concern is, there may be an obstruction in the way between the fuel pump and the carb.

If you can test it that way, it will make things a lot more clear.

Good luck

P.S.
How is the size of them mosquitos over there, this time of year? :D

[Prairiebabe]

Hi there!

I don't have a carb on my car, but I'm going to try that first thing in the morning. I was also told to take the ECC (ignition module) off the car and have it tested as well. If all is fine, then someone said it is the timing.

The new pump I bought, isn't working btw :)

Thanks so much, any more info would be greatly appreciated!

Prairiebabe

PS: The Skeeters are as big as housecats man! They have the Madcow disease and the west nile, and maybe some SARS :)

[rivolette]

Oh! how ironic, the new one you bought is not working, but the old one is fine! Ok at any rate, it's a good idea to confirm the fact that enough fuel is getting to the engine for it to be able to start.

Timing would not be the first suspect in my opinion, but a great idea to have that checked too.

I thought an 88 would still have a carb, it is the 5.0 right?

PS: The Skeeters are as big as housecats man! They have the Madcow disease and the west nile, and maybe some SARS :)

Sounds like fun!

[Prairiebabe]

My 88 lx, 2.3.... nasty nasty FI cars. I bought this car as a writeoff and haven't really had too many problems. I am happy tho that it died in my yard.

I'm thinking of the timing too, because the car, when you are trying to turn it over, makes a hard knocking sound. Since the timing has been outta wack for a year, I'm wondering if that has something to do with it. Just funny that the pump will run with the relay bypassed will run, but the car still will not start :(

[rivolette]

Originally posted by Prairiebabe
Since the timing has been outta wack for a year, I'm wondering if that has something to do with it.

Ok, so that changes the whole scenario. You didn't mention it in your original post. Yes, you gotta go ahead and straighten that out.

And that ignition module may play a part. I had an 85 Chevy with similar sysmptoms. It would tunr over but no chance in starting it up. So I finally found out the ignition module was gone.

[Prairiebabe]

I didn't mention the timing before because it's not explaining why there is no power to the pump when you put the key in the ignition. You should be able to hear the pump and it doesn't even start.

You have been such a big help tho. I'm writing all this down so I know what I'm looking in the morning. *HUGS* I will keep you all updated!

[rivolette]

Oh, good luck with it. I'm off... Gonna hit the gym for a few hrs...

And watch out for those hellish skeeters, lol

[Prairiebabe]

Alrighty Folks, Now I have changed the Fuel Pump, the fuel pump relay, the ECM and there is still no power between the ignition and the fuel pump. I have completely given up. If anyone has any suggestions, other then torching the car, pls let me know. ASAP

[pcourtne]

I'm not familiar with the car in question, we don't have them in my part of the world.
However, I've some advice regarding Fuel Injection in general.
Most cars with EFI have an inertia-cut-off switch which is supposed to stop the pump in the case of a collision. Is it possible that this cut have been activated or maybe it's faulty?
On European market cars, these are normally mounted behind the engine, on the bulkhead.
Another point worth mentioning is that the fuel-pump won't normally start to operate until you begin cranking. i.e. if the car is sitting with the key in the on position, I wouldn't expect to have power at the pump. Likewise, if the engine stalls the pump doesn't continue to operate.
Can you test it for power again while the engine is cranking?
There's normally a crank-shaft sensor near the bottom of the engine which gives a signal to either the pump relay or the Electronic Control Module.
I know this is very general info, but I hope it's of some help.

Best of luck.

Peter Courtney.