Hey guys. I was driving my 96 ta yesterday and it died like it ran out of gas. I just installed new gauges so I figured maybe my gas gauge was off. So I got a gas can and dumped some gas in and it will turn over and over but no fire. So i tried to cycle the key on and off a couple times and the fuel pump does not prime. I thought maybe i just couldnt hear it so I got it towed home and later in the day listened again. No fuel pump prime. Is my pump dead or are there other things to check first such as relays or fuses or something. Thanks in advance.

 

First, do you know for sure or not if you truely ran out of gas? If so, when you dumped more in, you may have stirred up anything loose in the bottom of your tank, and perhaps clogged the fuel filter. Assuming the fuel filter is not clogged, but you still ran the car dry, you may need to do more than just turn the key since its fuel injected (this is where I just don't know for sure, someone else might). Chances are though, your fuel pump died on you. Do you have a fuel pressure gage? If so, you should have been noticing a loss in fuel pressure recently. Another sign that your fuel pump is going, is that it sometimes has a hard time starting. If you son't know for sure, and you have the money, I would install both a new fuel filter, and a new fuel pump.

 

I dont know for sure that it ran out of gas, the gauge says 1/4 tank but like i said i just installed new gauges and pulled the needles off so they may be a bit incorrect. I will try the fuel filter but it is brand new allready so do you think it could have been clogged allready? Plus the fact that the fuel pump doesn't prime is an indicator of some pump malfunction. What I am wondering is if there is anything electronic (fuse, relay, etc.) that would prohibit the pump from operating. Any other suggestions?

 

I would definetly check the relays and fuses first. That will be easy, and fairly enexpensive to replace. Even if your fuel filter is new, if you ran the tank dry or nearly dry on it, it may have been clogged with debree from the bottom of the tank. More than likely it sounds like a bad fuel pump though. Unfortunatly, that will be much more expensive than the other ideas I have thrown out there. Start with the easiest and cheapest, and work your way up. That would be my suggestion.

 

Where are the relays and such located? I know where the fuses are, I will check all of them, but where are the relays hiding?

 

The fuel pump relay is under the "dead pedal" on the left side of the driver's floor. There's also a "prime" connector under the cowl, near the PCM that lets you check the pump. Lots of good info on Shoebox's website.

http://shbox.com/1/fuel_pump_relay.jpg

http://shbox.com/1/fuel_pump_prime.jpg

 

How do I use that prime test wire? Thanks for the info.

 

Well... It isn't the pump relay. I replaced it and the same thing. No fuel pump prime and not start just keeps cranking. Anybody know what to do with that little fuel pump prime wire? Thanks

 

jumper 12v to it to run the pump

 

Can i just use the battery for that? just run from the + into that little connector? If it does not prime then the pump is dead and if it does than it is something else?