1998 Cadillac Deville Fuel Pump dead

Tiny
DENVERDETAILING
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Hello, I run an auto detail business, recently we had a customers vehicle in that seemed to be running fine when it came in. It did have service engine lights on, however was starting fine. When we were finished with the detail the vehicle started after many cranks of the starter, and we pulled the vehicle outside. After trying to start it again, it just started turning over and over, but would not turn on. We jump started it and it started and he drove home, thinking it was over and done with. He calls me today and says the car won't start now and that his mechanic said the fuel pump is fried. He said they "hot wired it" to start but it keeps blowing the fuse now. He is now trying to blame the damage on us saying we did something to cause it to break because this never happened before. We did not clean the engine on this vehicle, just shampooed the carpets and buffed the outside. Is there any possible way to have done any damage (electrical or otherwise, wiring under the carpets etc?) To have caused this. Thank you for the help
Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 8:54 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
There should have been no way you could have caused it with what you performed. It is not uncommon for fuel pumps to fail, and it can happen at any time. For all you know, this customer could run his vehicle on the lower scale of fuel level regularly, and that contributes to pumps failing as they rely on the surrounding fuel to keep them cool. The unfortunate part is that you were the last one to have your hands on the vehicle, so it is presumed to be your fault. If the pump itself is determined at fault, you could not have caused it. Now, if it was determined that the wiring was shorted or damaged in the harness under the carpet, I could see pointing the finger, but it sounds like part failure.
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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
DENVERDETAILING
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the prompt reply. Where is the wiring for this make and model located under the carpet? We did have to heavily shampoo the carpets due to the salt stains etc, so before I defend our shop I would like to be informed on what I am talking about. This site is great thanks for the help.
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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Service info doesn't show exact routing, but I traced it with connector locations and pass throughs. It leaves the engine compartment and passes through to the passenger compartment on the rh(passenger) side, behind the rh strut tower. From there it drops down and runs on the rh side of the vehicle, up close to the door sill trim plates. It goes up under the rear seat, and passes through on at the rh rear between the rear seat back, and rear compartment(trunk). It is not just a few wires you are talking about, it is a large harness of wiring.
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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 11:27 AM

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