Car starts, then won't, then does--- fuel pump?

Tiny
WISHITWASACHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • FORD TAURUS
I'm new here, but I appreciate all the help others have gotten. I've worked on many cars before, but this one is stumping me.

Lately, my 2001 Ford Taurus will not start. It cranks, but is not getting fuel. When the key is turned, the fuel pump does not prime (no humming), and won't start. Then after just trying a few times, it will humm, and start right up.

I'm trying to narrow down what is causing this, before just replacing the fuel pump, to avoid the cost if possible.

I checked out the relays, and they are operating correctly, but was wondering if they would do this intermittently?

Any advice is greatly appreciated, it's cold up in Wisconsin!
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Tuesday, December 12th, 2006 AT 12:06 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
A way to test it the fuel pump is mechanically failing is to run a fuel pressure test. If the fuel pump is good, you should get a reading anywhere between 30 and 65 psi of pressure.
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Tuesday, December 12th, 2006 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
WISHITWASACHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I changed out the fuel pump relay, and thus far, the problem has not occurred since. I am hoping the life of the relay was simply starting to go, and occasionally the contacts stuck. I'll give an update in a few days to let people know if it worked or not, in case they run into the same problem. It's much less painful changing a $5 relay, than a $300 fuel pump.
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Thursday, December 14th, 2006 AT 8:52 AM

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