1995 Villager Fuel Pump or Relay problem

[NinaNautica]

Posted about a year ago about this problem, but still trying to figure it out.

On hot days (80-90 degree weather in Florida) my '95 Villager tends to run for about an hour, then dies. I let it rest for 20 minutes, then it usually runs for another hour or so. It seems to happen sooner/ more frequently in hotter weather. Usually when I make my 2-hour drive, I stop about halfway for a 20-minute "preventative" cool-down. After that, I'm usually able to finish the last hour of my drive and get there with no problems.

When the car dies, you first feel a very slight hesitation and then the car gradually begins to slow even though your foot has remained in the same position on the gas pedal. Pushing down on the gas pedal doesn't cause the car to accelerate. At some point as it slows, the engine shuts off and you coast to a stop.

After the car dies, I turn the key to the accessory position and hear the fuel pump make a lower and somewhat louder sound than it normally makes. It's distinctly different than what I normally hear from the fuel pump.

Doesn't seem to be losing spark--the way the car slows before the engine cuts off makes it apparent that it's a problem with the fuel.

Approx. 150,000 miles on the car. Bought the car used a couple years ago; don't know if previous owners ever replaced the fuel pump.

We've replaced the fuel filter--no difference.

I don't do my own work on my car, but our mechanic can't figure out the problem. I'm wondering if anyone has any input or experience with this problem.

Our mechanic--who we've used for years and trust--thinks it's a problem in the fuel relay. Another source advised me that if it was a problem with the relay, the pump wouldn't energize at all and I wouldn't be hearing sound from it.

Basically, the problem seems to be either the relay or the pump. All signs seem to lead to the fuel pump overheating. My mechanic is convinced it's not the fuel pump (don't know why he thinks that) and thinks it's a problem in the relay. Not sure what he's tried, but somehow he can't seem to find a problem. Until it stalls, the van runs great. Haven't tried anything major since the car still gets me around (and runs beautifully as long as it's less than an hour), but it's getting frustrating so I'm trying to figure it out.

Any input? Any simple differences between symptoms of bad fuel relay and symptoms of bad fuel pump? Thanks in advance

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by NinaNautica

Posted about a year ago about this problem, but still trying to figure it out.

On hot days (80-90 degree weather in Florida) my '95 Villager tends to run for about an hour, then dies. I let it rest for 20 minutes, then it usually runs for another hour or so. It seems to happen sooner/ more frequently in hotter weather. Usually when I make my 2-hour drive, I stop about halfway for a 20-minute "preventative" cool-down. After that, I'm usually able to finish the last hour of my drive and get there with no problems.

When the car dies, you first feel a very slight hesitation and then the car gradually begins to slow even though your foot has remained in the same position on the gas pedal. Pushing down on the gas pedal doesn't cause the car to accelerate. At some point as it slows, the engine shuts off and you coast to a stop.



After the car dies, I turn the key to the accessory position and hear the fuel pump make a lower and somewhat louder sound than it normally makes. It's distinctly different than what I normally hear from the fuel pump.

Doesn't seem to be losing spark--the way the car slows before the engine cuts off makes it apparent that it's a problem with the fuel.

Approx. 150,000 miles on the car. Bought the car used a couple years ago; don't know if previous owners ever replaced the fuel pump.

We've replaced the fuel filter--no difference.

I don't do my own work on my car, but our mechanic can't figure out the problem. I'm wondering if anyone has any input or experience with this problem.

Our mechanic--who we've used for years and trust--thinks it's a problem in the fuel relay. Another source advised me that if it was a problem with the relay, the pump wouldn't energize at all and I wouldn't be hearing sound from it.

Basically, the problem seems to be either the relay or the pump. All signs seem to lead to the fuel pump overheating. My mechanic is convinced it's not the fuel pump (don't know why he thinks that) and thinks it's a problem in the relay. Not sure what he's tried, but somehow he can't seem to find a problem. Until it stalls, the van runs great. Haven't tried anything major since the car still gets me around (and runs beautifully as long as it's less than an hour), but it's getting frustrating so I'm trying to figure it out.

Any input? Any simple differences between symptoms of bad fuel relay and symptoms of bad fuel pump? Thanks in advance

Firsy off I would attach a fuel pressure gauge after the fuel filter and tape it to the winshield wiper and watch the fuel pressure as you drive and the problem starts.

Secondly I think it is the distributor giving you the problem. The Camshaft sensor is in the distributor and are known to cause problem when engine warms up. Pull the distributor cap off and see if there is any browish dust on the cmps.( SIgnof a bad bearing in the distributor) If you can cool the distributor somehow when it dies it may start again