Bad fuel pump in an '88 Voyager?

[fielder]

(2.5L. auto.)Early this spring the van started to die when I would come to the first stop sign down my road( 2.2 miles).It was hard to restart, acting like it wasn't getting fuel.Once it started I didn't have any more problems the rest of the day. It would do this maybe once a week,gradually worsening thru the summer to several times a week. In July I replaced the fuel injector, fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator. This made no difference. By September I couldn't get out of my driveway without it stalling.Now it hasn't started at all since the end of Sept. I ran a fuel pressure check when I had the filter off and came up with 36 pds. My Haynes manual says it should have 14.5 pds. Could the fuel pump be bad ? I get no trouble codes.

[jdl]

You got good spark at the plugs with engine cranking, correct? The fuel specs you listed, you meant psi, right? Usually if the pressure is too high, the problem is on the return side of the fuel system, clogged or restricted return line, in this case. You already replaced the regulator. I've had chrysler vehicles before with high fuel pressure, but they didn't stall.

[fielder]

Yes, It's got a good spark. 36 psi is correct. This one definetly stalled a lot. Where and how would I begin to look for a restriction in the line?

[jdl]

You could, take the return line loose, make sure you release the fuel pressure on the system before taking anything loose. With the return line loose, put a long fuel line hose on the return fitting, run the end of the hose, outside the engine compartment into a proper size container, see if the vehicle will start, if it runs, see if fuel pressure is normal. If then the pressure is normal, you may have to replace the return line. Don't take a line loose that has pressure on it. Don't start no fires. Be careful

[fielder]

The weather finally warmed up enough to go out ( no garage) and work on the van.I pulled the return line off the throttle body and it still won't start. I rechecked the fuel pressure with the line off and it was still 36-38 pds. When I crank it, it will try to run and sometimes does start, but dies almost immediately, within 3-4 seconds.

[fielder]

I desperately need help with this old van. Anybody out there, please help me.

[Stevo2]

Sounds like your fuel pump is bad or the filter in the tank is bad. Can you hear the fuel pump whine for 2-3 seconds when you turn the key to "on"? Have you tried a shot of starting fluid in the throttle body to see if it will start?
Try this also, disconnect the negative battery cable for a couple of minutes, reinstall it, and then try to start it, probably won't but after you try this, check the computer error codes and see if anything pops up.

[jblair1948]

Originally Posted by fielder

The weather finally warmed up enough to go out ( no garage) and work on the van.I pulled the return line off the throttle body and it still won't start. I rechecked the fuel pressure with the line off and it was still 36-38 pds. When I crank it, it will try to run and sometimes does start, but dies almost immediately, within 3-4 seconds.

Try turning the key to on, wait till you hear the pump cut off, then turn it
to on again, repeat this about 10 times before you try and start the eng.
Then try and start the engine. Or if you know what your doing, you can
bypass the fuel pump relay (temporarily).

I had this problem on my 89. What happened to me, and I think you, is that
there is a check valve in the gas tank with the pump. The check valve is
leaking and you are loosing pressure when the van sits. So now when you
try to start it, the 2 sec. of pump on before you try to start the eng. is not
enough to build up the pressure. As you try to crank the eng. the injectors
are bleeding off the pressure as fast as the pump can make it, so the net
result is you aren't getting enough fuel.

You will get a good reading on a pressure gauge if this happens.

I also think you have a problem with a dirty Throttle body and the Idle
speed motor on the TB. Get some carb cleaner and really clean the
TB out. You may want to take it off the car so you can really clean it.

Let us know how it goes.

John

[fielder]

I tried turning the key on and off at least 10 times and it made no difference. You CAN hear the pump whine the first 2-3 key on and offs. It does start if I give it a shot of starting fluid, but only runs several seconds. I don't get any trouble codes. I also cleaned out the throttle body. Still, it won't run. It gets right on the verge of starting and some of the time does start, but only runs for a couple of seconds. I can replace the pump if I need to myself, but hate to spend the time and especially the money if It might be something else. Is this check valve a part of the pump or a seperate part? Thanks once again for all the help everyone's giving me.

[Stevo2]

Originally Posted by fielder

I tried turning the key on and off at least 10 times and it made no difference. You CAN hear the pump whine the first 2-3 key on and offs. It does start if I give it a shot of starting fluid, but only runs several seconds. I don't get any trouble codes. I also cleaned out the throttle body. Still, it won't run. It gets right on the verge of starting and some of the time does start, but only runs for a couple of seconds. I can replace the pump if I need to myself, but hate to spend the time and especially the money if It might be something else. Is this check valve a part of the pump or a seperate part? Thanks once again for all the help everyone's giving me.

If there are no codes and it will run on starting fluid, if it wre me I would change the fuel pump, in tank filter/strainer and the inline filter and flush the tank. You will not get any codes for a bad fuel pump. You might try pulling the electrical connector off the injector/s and see if they are tight and not corroded.

[zachr101]

I had the same problem on 1996 Voyager. Ichanged the fuel pump and since I am happy man. The old pump was giving pressure and all seemed to be ok, as you seem to have. Change the fuel pump in the gaz tank, I am positive that is your problem. Let me know how are you doing.