Tonglebeak

Girlfriend has a '92 caravan 3.0. One day a couple weeks ago the van just died on her. After a bunch of towing, sitting at a mechanics shop, and etc, it finally ended back up at her house. The mechanic she took it to originally said the fuel pump was bad that that it'd be over $500 to fix it. I don't trust this specific mechanic, so I decided to see what I could come up with...

Funny thing happened. I tried to start it up for fun. It started, and idled for a good 5+ minutes (throttle response was great as well). It smelled like it was running rich as hell though.

Then finally, I hear the idle come down, and then nothing. I was aware of there being a fuel pump relay, but was unsure as to which one exactly it was, and which terminals to check.

With key on, I cannot hear the fuel pump pressurize. I hear something click though for sure, but it doesn't sound at all like it's the fuel pump. It's just dead.

I pulled neg terminal and let it sit for a minute, trying to clear the ecm. Hooked it back up but nothing still. My questions:

1) Which relay exactly controls the FP, and which terminal is on it? I saw numerous diagrams online, but nothing seemed to help: some diagrams had 3 relays on a bank, others had 5, but hers only has 4.

2) Where is the schrader valve at on the fuel rail? Could NOT find the damn thing.

Another thing, it didn't putter out like you'd expect. It didn't seem to want to run off the residual fuel pressure, although I'm not sure how quickly the engine was eating the gas anyways.

I checked for spark, and have it. Just no fuel pressure as far as I can tell (and that's just by not hearing the fuel pump power on, couldn't find the schrader valve to test pressure).

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

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1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera 2.8L V6

peterjon1

3.0 doesn't have a schraeder valve. Try whacking the bottom of the fuel tank solidly. This can jar a marginal pump into starting. If the pump does start after that, it is probably time for replacement. My FSM ('97) makes no mention of fuel pressure testing on a 3.0, but does say pressure should be 49 psi, so someone may be able to chime in with the test procedure. Strong gas smell may make the fuel pressure regulator a suspect also. How about the fuel filter? If it is clogged, it will place a strain on the pump also.

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Sometimes the little voices in your head have really fun ideas.

tempfixit

92 does not have a schrader valve, go to the FREE ONLINE SERVICE MANUAL thread, follow instructions and it will have the procedure for testing fuel pressure.

Sorry I cannot tell you which relay it is. This may or may not work but tap on the gas tank with a rubber mallet or board and see if the fuel pump works. Also try switching the relays around with same #, see if the fuel pump works then.

I changed a fuel pump in a 95 about 2 years ago and it was not that hard. IF the bolt clips on the tank straps break and bolt clip spins get a sawsall with a metal blade and cut the bolts and replace with regular bolt and nut.

Hope this helps