1991 Ford Escort Fuel Cutoff Help!

[JayDubs]

I am preparing a 1991 Ford Escort for a 100 lap endurance race on a 1/4 mile dirt oval. I ran into a problem with the battery, so I bought a new one. When I replaced it, it blew the 100 amp main fuse. I went through 2 more main fuses before I realized the previous owner had replaced the battery terminals, and did so backwards. Therefore the battery was going in backwards. I fixed the terminals, then fixed the fuse, and everything was golden, except the Fuel Cutoff light on the dash was on. I had disabled the fuel cutoff before by splicing 2 of the 3 wires running into the inertia switch before the battery issue, and the car ran fine for hours. Now, after the battery incident, it doesnt work, even when I rewire the inertia switch to the stock configuration. I only need this for the race, it is never going to be able to be road legal again. Is there any sort of universal fuel pump, or a way to hardwire one to defeat this fuel cutoff? The stock fuel pump has the cutoff relay inside of it as far as I can tell, as well as one somewhere outside of the pump in the car or engine bay, however my Chilton manual says nothing of it. Any help would really be appreciated I have around 500 invested and really want this to be ready for race day September 5th. Thanx in advance for any help.

[jeffescortlx]

Originally Posted by JayDubs

I am preparing a 1991 Ford Escort for a 100 lap endurance race on a 1/4 mile dirt oval. I ran into a problem with the battery, so I bought a new one. When I replaced it, it blew the 100 amp main fuse. I went through 2 more main fuses before I realized the previous owner had replaced the battery terminals, and did so backwards. Therefore the battery was going in backwards. I fixed the terminals, then fixed the fuse, and everything was golden, except the Fuel Cutoff light on the dash was on. I had disabled the fuel cutoff before by splicing 2 of the 3 wires running into the inertia switch before the battery issue, and the car ran fine for hours. Now, after the battery incident, it doesnt work, even when I rewire the inertia switch to the stock configuration. I only need this for the race, it is never going to be able to be road legal again. Is there any sort of universal fuel pump, or a way to hardwire one to defeat this fuel cutoff? The stock fuel pump has the cutoff relay inside of it as far as I can tell, as well as one somewhere outside of the pump in the car or engine bay, however my Chilton manual says nothing of it. Any help would really be appreciated I have around 500 invested and really want this to be ready for race day September 5th. Thanx in advance for any help.

I think the fuel cut out light on the dash and the inertia switch in the back are two differnt things/system all together.
The fuel pump it's self does not have any kind of switch or relay in or on it. I belive the fuel pump relay is either under the dash or under the hood.
You should check every fuse, under the driver side dash and under the hood by the driver side shock tower.
Is your Escort a 1.9 or a 1.8?
Can you hear the fuel pump turn on for the first few second the key is turned to on?

[JayDubs]

Its the 1.9 Liter, and no, the fuel pump doesnt make the sound when I turn the key, but I have two of them, one which is in perfect condition. Then when I try and start it, the fuel cutoff light comes on and I get no gas :/

[jeffescortlx]

First check ALL the fuses, than go from there.
When the battery was pluggen in back wards there is a chance is could of blown other fuses before the main blow.

[JayDubs]

Fuses are fine, there has to be a relay somewhere that Im missing. What are my options as far as wiring an aftermarket fuel pump or wiring the stock one to the battery?

[jeffescortlx]

Originally Posted by JayDubs

Fuses are fine, there has to be a relay somewhere that Im missing. What are my options as far as wiring an aftermarket fuel pump or wiring the stock one to the battery?

Have you folllow'd the fuel pump wiring up the side of the car to under the dash?
Yes you can hard wire it, just make sure you make it a switched power, form the use of a relay on the ACC. circut.
Just to be safe so when the car is off the fuel pump stops.

[JayDubs]

I was looking at Walbro fuel pumps, the inline ones. How hard is it to fit one of these, and will I need anything else, such as an adjustable FPR? The only thing I dont know is how you would close off the fuel acces thing if the stock pump wasnt in there. Also, this would be hardwired to the battery with a switch, will the ECU allow the car to run with the fuel pump wired this way? Pllllllease help if you have any input, I need to get this thing ready to race, if not I just wasted hundreds of dollars

[jeffescortlx]

Originally Posted by JayDubs

I was looking at Walbro fuel pumps, the inline ones. How hard is it to fit one of these, and will I need anything else, such as an adjustable FPR? The only thing I dont know is how you would close off the fuel acces thing if the stock pump wasnt in there. Also, this would be hardwired to the battery with a switch, will the ECU allow the car to run with the fuel pump wired this way? Pllllllease help if you have any input, I need to get this thing ready to race, if not I just wasted hundreds of dollars

You dont need a differnt fuel pressure regulator, that will only cause more problems.
Are you sure that the fuel pump is bad, and not just the wiring/relay going to it?
Yes you can wire a fuel pump direct and it will run, I sugest using the switched power form the accery power, like the cigerete lighter or radio, its safer that way.

[JayDubs]

Ok, thank you for the help Jeff. One last question,do you know where I can find either a simple universal fuel pump or a wiring diagram for the stock one? It has 6 wires, 5 black and 1 red. Kinda confusing without a diagram

[jeffescortlx]

If you pull out the fuel pump you can see what wires are for the pump and what ones are for the fuel guage, I cant remember whats what.
If the pump is bad you can run pretty much use any fuel injected pump, should be able to find a universal at a parts store, or junk yard.