2002 caravan fuel pump

[Annie345]

I ran my van really low on gas. Went to the gas station put $20.00 in which wasn't much, but it registered 1/2 tank. I immediately started it and pulled over to put air in a tire. Turned it off and when I tried to start it again it would not start. I was on a slant with the front end facing up. My mechanic came over bumped a few times on the underside of the car and it started right up. My questions are… he said I would probably need a new fuel pump for $300. Could it of been the low fuel in my car and the position? Are there tests to see if the fuel pump is good or will it just be replaced? I don’t want to spend $300.00 on my own stupidity. The car is starting fine now and I never had trouble before. Or should I heed the warning and get it replaced so I don't break down in someplace less convenient that a gas station.

Thanks

[Bear]

You can do fuel pressure checks (at the engine fuel rail) but if she is running good now that probably will not show a fault. As to fuel pump, you can buy a replacement at ADVANCE or Auto Zone for under $200 ( I did this on my 1996 Caravan and installed myself. I now have 35,000 on the replacement and all is well.

[RIP]

I agree with Bear. Fuel pressure checks aren't going to tell you much until and if it acts up again. If you haven't seen it hickup like this before or experienced a lack of acceleration at highway speeds, I would just keep on truckin and make sure the tank doesn't go much below 1/4 tank. The mechanic most likely wacked the fuel tank a few times to stimulate the pump (it's in the tank). When you ran it low and parked it on a hill it may have cavitated (sucked air) and needed a wack to dislodge an air pocket. Just a theory but, plausable.

[Steve J.]

I'm replacing the pump on my '90 Voyager right now. NAPA's price for the assembly was $200 but I have a AAA card which discounted it to $139.

[Annie345]

Thank you for your responses . Thevan would not start later in the day in the driveway until my husband tapped on the fuel tank a few times like the mechanic did. So needless to say it's at the shop and haven't heard anything yet.

Thanks again

[95astroman]

It does sound like a new fuel pump is needed. Hitting the bottom of the gas tank is regular practice by tow truck operators to get the pump going but it's only temporary and your caravan will leave high and dry again.