Fuel problems...

Hi, I am new to this forum and also a new owner of my first Neon. I bought this Neon cheap knowing that it didn't start but thought I was handy enough to get it going. It is a '98 SOHC and I am getting spark, but it doesn't seem to have pressure at the fuel rail and if I disconnect the line going to the fuel rail and turn the key on, there is no gas pumping through the line. I am assuming that I probably am in need of a fuel pump, but I know it is an expensive job to have done and I have done it before but I was just hoping for some advice before I tackled it. I have replaced the fuse or relay under the hood, and that seems good, is there a way to test fuel pump without removing the tank, like just using jumpers across the contacts where the fuel pump relay is?

Thanks!

Relay should be in the power distribution center (that long black box behind the battery). Take cover off and the underside of cover should show you location of all relays and fuses in the box. Fuel pump relay should be in the top row and all the way to the left (side away from fuses).

Hi, thanks for the reply, I did move those fuses around and put the one from the horn in its place and I know that one worked, I was just wondering if there was a way to put jumper wires in the slots when the fuse is removed to hot wire the fuel pump, but I don't have a wiring diagram to show me which slots are hot or which goes to fuel pump or if that is even possible.

The best thing I can tell you is to buy a HAYNES manual for your car (most auto part stores) all of the procedures to check the system and relay can be found in that book.

Yes I agree that would be a good thing to do, I just haven't been to the store yet.

i have a HAYNES for my neon as well as my CARAVAN and though not as good as a Factory Service Manual, they are a lot less expensive and for most problems adequate. What you need to see is really well described in both pictures and text.

Well I guess my best bet is to go get the manual and figure out if it is the regulator or the pump. Either way if I were to disconnect the fuel line at the fuel rail and then cranked the motor over, shouldn't gas squirt out of the line?

Yes, if the pump is working (and you should be able to hear it every time you start the car with engine cold, it should hummmm for a few seconds). Be careful as the fuel is volatile and could ignite if it hits a spark or hot engine component. I personally use a fuel gauge that will screw onto the check port on the fuel rail at the engine.

Hi Bear, I still haven't been to store for the manual yet and this car is not at my house, so I am limited for tools. One thing I did find while monkeying around was that if I had the key turned on and pulled the IGN fuse on the side of dash and then put back in I heard the sound of a pump run for just a short time and then I had fuel pressure and it started but dies right away, so I tried it again and now I do not hear that noise nor do I have fuel pressure. I just wonder if I just have a poor electrical connection somewhere. I also did not check for codes again since this happened for maybe a 42, but previously I only had code 55.

Code 42 is the fuel pump relay or the auto shutdown relay has a shorted condition.

Code 55 is end of test.