Who can guess this one? Fuel Pump??? What???

[browserealty]

I have a 94 Ford Taurus (Of course that is why I am posting here). Anyway. In the morning it starts just fine (cold). I can hear the fuel pump come on. Now let me say. I drive this to work in the morning; it sits for about 8.5hrs. and then in the evening (Hot) I get in and it does not start. No fuel pump comming on. I pulled the line from the pump and nothing when I turn the key on.

So, what could it be? Any ideas would be great. Thanks for responding in advance.

Allen

[mlw35405]

Could be a bad pump or bad fuel pump relay. Mine did the same thing a while back. First, the relay is under a plastic sheild, right above the radiator fan. It's a metal box with a bunch of wires going into it. When it won't start, jiggle the wires that go to it, and take the lug wrench and knock the hell out of it one good time, then see if it starts (hey, it worked for me!). If it doesn't, check to see if there is power at the fuel pump. If there isn't, it's probably still this relay box. If there is, the pump is probably bad.

[browserealty]

Originally Posted by mlw35405

Could be a bad pump or bad fuel pump relay. Mine did the same thing a while back. First, the relay is under a plastic sheild, right above the radiator fan. It's a metal box with a bunch of wires going into it. When it won't start, jiggle the wires that go to it, and take the lug wrench and knock the hell out of it one good time, then see if it starts (hey, it worked for me!). If it doesn't, check to see if there is power at the fuel pump. If there isn't, it's probably still this relay box. If there is, the pump is probably bad.

So can a fuel pump start to go bad like that. I thought when they go they go. If anyone has an answer, please reply. Thanks all.

[mlw35405]

Sometimes they can work intermittantly like that, yes.
I got to thinking what I said, and I just wanted to clarify. When you knock the hell out of the relay, make sure it's the relay. It's the one about the size and shape of an 8 track tape. Wouldn't want you to be whacking the airbag sensor up there...

[browserealty]

Originally Posted by mlw35405

Sometimes they can work intermittantly like that, yes.
I got to thinking what I said, and I just wanted to clarify. When you knock the hell out of the relay, make sure it's the relay. It's the one about the size and shape of an 8 track tape. Wouldn't want you to be whacking the airbag sensor up there...

Hello, I'm not sure I will knock the hell out of it. But I have to admit you made me laugh my ass off. "Would't want you to be whacking the airbag sensor up there".

I'll give it a good tap though. Thanks again.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by browserealty

Hello, I'm not sure I will knock the hell out of it. But I have to admit you made me laugh my ass off. "Would't want you to be whacking the airbag sensor up there".

I'll give it a good tap though. Thanks again.

I would suggest checking for voltage at the shut off switch prior to whacking the Constant Control Relay Module. No point breaking the CCRM if the pump is getting voltage.

Fuel pumps in the tank like your '94 has are DC electric motors. They can become intermittent just like the DC electric starter motor.

If you can hear the fuel pump come on when the car is cold, chances are the pump has been giving you warning for awhile. When a fuel pump becomes easily audible, you want to plan to replace it when the tank is close to empty. Otherwise, it will probably go out as soon as you fill the tank (not because the full tank causes problems, but because that's when the tank is heaviest and difficult to drop to replace the pump -- Murphy's law).

A good fuel pump will usually be barely audible if the radio on the car is off.

I suppose I had better type the caveat that this is a general rule of thumb. If your fuel pump gets louder over time, it is probably on its way out. I'm sure there will be people who reply saying they've been able to hear their fuel pump for 5 years and still no problem, yada, yada, yada.

-Rod

[lackej1971]

THANK GOD!!!!! I have replaced the fuel pump on my 1993 Taurus GL 2 times. One pump was free and the other one cost me. I cannot begin to tell you how demoralizing it is to replace a fuel pump TWICE and it does not work. Talk about HARD!!!! Well, I went outside just now and I located the Fuel Pump Relay. It was right where you said, right above the cooling fan.

I wiggled the wires and tapped it with my flashlight a couple of times. Then I hopped in my car and as soon as I turned the key, I heard the pump start up. Man, the car fired RIGHT UP. I was so happy I wanted to start break dancing and I don't even know how. This car would not start at all before. It would just turn over and over. I will replace the relay ASAP. That is definitely the problem.

Thank you so much for telling me where this thing was located!!!!