Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

[GilligansIsland]

Ok. Engine won't start and it's narrowed down to the area of the electric fuel pump - or at least it's not being activated. Here's what I know:

Engine will start if I pour fuel in the carb
I double checked the starter relay (the 4 pin deal) using the trouble shooting pdf Don S posted. :blue:
Convinced the pump was bad, I put a new one in, but no luck.

Now, there is another relay right before the pump, and a yellow/red and a black wire go from this relay to the pump. I don't know how to test this relay and see that that back looks like its leaking some black gooey stuff.

Part #20 in the diagram is the Bracket/Relay posted in my pics.

Thanks for reading...

 

[insttech1]

Re: Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

That's just nasty.
Either you are pulling too much current and melting the housing and/or relay itself, or is something leaking onto the housing?

Either way, that needs to be replaced. Even if a continuity test passes, does not mean that the wiring has the capability to carry the necessary current if there is a semi-conductive gooey mess between the terminals internally.

I'd replace that entire assembly and the relay before starting any further troubleshooting, because for one it's nasty, and secondly it can screw up your actual troubleshooting results.

There is a possibility that your end load (in this case, the pump) can be pulling too much electric current, so if replacing this assembly/relay does not immediately pass troubleshooting tests and get your pump running, I would not try running the pump for extended periods, as you may just melt another relay.

If you're very good with electrical, then you could also jumper the pump to see if your new one works, but I would only recommend that if you truly know what you're doing.

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

Thanks. I recently had a fuel pump go bad, so maybe it cooked the relay in the process. I'll replace it and go from there... thought it's probably the culprit.

Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

You can bypass the relay by connecting pin 30 to 87. If that works, make sure that the alternator is putting out voltage on the L1 terminal. It should be feeding a green wire that goes through a diode to the windings of the relay.

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

You can bypass the relay by connecting pin 30 to 87. If that works, make sure that the alternator is putting out voltage on the L1 terminal. It should be feeding a green wire that goes through a diode to the windings of the relay.

Cool... good to know.

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

I just remembered... My relay has a built in bracket/vibration dampener. Any idea where to get this? Does the store here carry them?

 

[irawalls]

Re: Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

Im all new to this and I have a 1997 crownline with a volvo penta cobra sx ,I had the same problem recently and my problem was the 20 amp red reset switch by the fuel pump, one side was getting current but not transfering through switch, i also matched the relays at the local autozone, i know they are not marine grade but it got me back on the water

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Troubleshooting electric fuel pump...

This is turning into some ordeal...

So far, I located the relay at an auto parts store as suggested and I was even able to pull the wiring out of the OEM bracket and insert new female spade clips things. Got it all wired up nice and neat. I even double checked with a light tester, and jumped term 30 and 87 to verify that fuel pump was firing. All perfect. but wait....

l... the damn thing still won't start! And now, I see there is gas seeping out of the front area of the carb. Maybe from the mounting gasket but it's hard to tell. After a few tries, the starter even seems to lock up and have a hard time cranking. Not sure what that means either. Maybe I'm just working the starter too hard.

There appears to be gas getting to the carb so what could be the problem now?

or maybe it's time for a new thread