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Thread: Fuel pump not priming. Now what?

  1. #1
    Senior Member krs09's Avatar
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    Fuel pump not priming. Now what?

    So while I was getting my battery issue corrected, after installing everything looked promising, as I turn the key to the on position I hear NOTHING not a peep. I go to fire her up and it just cranks and cranks, best crank ive heard yet but nothing. I check all the fuses (all good) and I know I have fuel in there. It started ok not 2hrs before that. The PO says he replace the fuel pump with a new old stock unit which I confirmed. Maybe put 50 miles on it... What else is there to check? All fuses look ok - Pump does not prime with key on. In true D form it seems when I fix one thing another takes a shit. .. What else can I check .. Help..

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Did the inertia switch get bumped? Plunger popped up?


    Sept. 81, auto, black interior

  3. #3
    Vin3299's Doc DeLorean03's Avatar
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    Have you done any recent work on the fuel pump, or was this just a battery swap ?
    DMCTalk.org Moderator

    Actual snippet of a conversation from Sept 2013:

    Me: Eddie, I can't wait to get the car back when you're done with it.

    Eddie: Yeah, you'll be able to give the car gas, and it won't be - like - embarrassing....

  4. #4
    Senior Member tommyrich's Avatar
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    I had a similar problem recently, drove car, stopped. Wouldn't start. Turned out to be the 2-pin connector right off the fuel pump, just not making good contact. They get loose and corroded over the years. Could be other things too, but it is something to check.
    Tom

  5. #5
    Senior Member Bitsyncmaster's Avatar
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    Use the "RPM relay jumper" to test the pump circuit first.
    Dave M vin 03572
    http://dm-eng.weebly.com/

  6. #6
    Senior Member krs09's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DeLorean03 View Post
    Have you done any recent work on the fuel pump, or was this just a battery swap ?
    Na, Havent touched the pump in weeks. Just got new bolts for the battery to get better connection.

  7. #7
    Senior Member krs09's Avatar
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    Weird.

    Well I went out at lunch to double check my problems. Still no priming noise with the key turned on. I tried to start it anyway with same results so I put the gray connector (from the CPR) and connected it to the cold start valve connection and it fired up and ran (still no priming noise from the pump). Ive heard not to run it very long like that so im dumping too much fuel, so I run to disconnect it from the CSV and it stalled right out. SO it wont start with the normal connections but will start with CPR plug connected to the CSV but still hear no priming at all. WTF?? Bad CSV?? Ideas?

  8. #8
    Administrator Ron's Avatar
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    It's not the CSV or it would not have primed the engine when it started. And you have to think about where the CSV got fuel pressure for it to prime the engine in the first place -- The pump had to of came on! On a lot of cars the pump does not come on when you turn the key on, some do sometimes, and some every time. Try bumping the key to Start and listen closely, you should hear it run then.

    I'd try jumping power right to the pump (+ and ground) off ot the battery to eliminate all wiring and see if it will start then (since the ignition wiring is obviously ok).

  9. #9
    Senior Member krs09's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ron View Post
    It's not the CSV or it would not have primed the engine when it started. And you have to think about where the CSV got fuel pressure for it to prime the engine in the first place -- The pump had to of came on! On a lot of cars the pump does not come on when you turn the key on, some do sometimes, and some every time. Try bumping the key to Start and listen closely, you should hear it run then.

    I'd try jumping power right to the pump (+ and ground) off ot the battery to eliminate all wiring and see if it will start then (since the ignition wiring is obviously ok).
    Thanks Ron I will try that. So far during my owner ship you could hear the pump prime with the key being turned everytime. I would usually have to turn the key on and off a few times to make sure I get soild pressure for start up. Now silence.. I would think the pump is ok because the car ran for a few min and didnt sound awful. Any other ideas?? Does anyone have any comments about the new pump/sender combo from DMCH. My sender is shot too (i think) the gauge is stuck at the 12 o'clock hr mark

  10. #10
    Administrator Ron's Avatar
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    If that test and the test Dave said works, I'd say he sold another relay ;-)

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