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Fuel pump relay location

Tiny
LEE ADKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 OLDSMOBILE 88
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,000 MILES
I have the car listed above 88 Royal. I am attempting to locate the fuel pump relay. Where is it? And how would I check to see if it is bad?
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 2:51 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

The relay is in the relay center. I attached a picture of the location for you to view.

Roy

When the key is first turned "on, " without the engine running, the ECM will turn the fuel pump relay "on" for two seconds. This builds up the fuel pressure to normal operating pressure. If the engine is not started within two seconds, the ECM will shut the fuel pump "off" and wait until ignition reference pulses are present. As soon as the engine is cranked, the ECM turns the relay "on, " which powers the fuel pump.

As a back-up system to the fuel pump relay, the fuel pump can also be turned "on" by the oil pressure switch. The oil pressure switch is a normally open switch which closes when oil pressure reaches about 28.0 kPa (4.0 psi). If the fuel pump relay fails, the oil pressure switch will power the fuel pump.

- A faulty fuel pump relay can result in long cranking times, particularly if the engine is cold.

- An inoperative fuel pump would cause a no start condition. A fuel pump which does not provide enough pressure can result in poor performance.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
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  • 13 POSTS
What happened was I was driving and the car cut off while I was moving around fifty five mph. Once I coasted to a stop I noticed when trying to re crank that the normal hum I hear from the fuel pump priming up was not there and it will not crank. I just assumed it may be the relay.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I would assume more the pump than the relay. I would verify power at the fuel pump while cranking first.

Also, check the 20 amp fuel pump fuse as well.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
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  • 13 POSTS
How would I go about verifying power at the pump?
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You need to go to the connector at the fuel pump and check the gray wire as listed in the wire diagram. Use a test light or voltmeter to test for power while cranking?

Roy
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Okay, one more question. Do you know if there is a access panel to the pump or do I have to drop the tank?
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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The pump is inside the fuel tank. In order to access the pump, the tank will have to be removed.

Roy
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Oh no. I dread that. Thank you very much for the help. I fill more comfortable doing it now. Thank you. Have a great rest of your day.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 3:27 AM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
The diagrams you sent do not seem to match my car.
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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What were those pictures?

Roy
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
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  • 13 POSTS
Under the hood facing the car.
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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They are upside down. What am I looking at?

Is there a relay center there? The picture is not clear.

Roy
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
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I cannot figure out why my pictures are upside down. But that is where I thought the relay center should be. That is the firewall area.
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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There may be a black cover over it protecting it.

Check around the center of the firewall under the windshield.

Roy
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:39 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
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  • 13 POSTS
That black thing you see there was a shield, but I see no relay center. Let me see if I can take a video.
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:41 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Look under the dash right side. 88 has it there.

Roy
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
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  • 13 POSTS
Did the video I sent not go through?
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Got it.

In your original question, you listed this as an 1989 Oldsmobile 88. Then I looked at your question and you said 88 Royal?

Is this an 1988 or 1989?

Roy
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
LEE ADKINS
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1989 model 88.
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Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 3:04 PM

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