Fuel pump not working

Tiny
PAWPABW
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
I have a 97 chevy lumina, I have replaced fuel pump and relays, it will turn over but fuel pump is still not coming on. Checked voltage and ground for fuel pump, I can spray starter fluid into engine and it will run, but for some reason my pump is not turning on. I just replaced it on Thursday of this week. I'm beginning to think that its the security system but I don't know how to check that out. Thanks for your help
Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 AT 8:40 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you may have a fuse out the PCM Batt Fuse supplies power to the fuel pump relay can you please check it here is a guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Engine cranking, check for voltage at the fuel pump connector. Gray wire is voltage for the pump motor, black is ground.

Also use a noid lite and check injector pulse, engine cranking. Did you visually check for spark at the plugs, engine cranking.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Your security system could cause an issue? Got a security light flashing?

When you first turn the key on, no crank, can you hear the run for a couple of seconds. With the engine cranking, if no voltage at the pump, check the fuel pump relay. If you use a jumper wire between terminal 30 and 87, the pump should run. No need to use the key. Use an inline fuse, just in case.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
PAWPABW
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I tried to jump the wire between terminal 30 and 87, and the pump didn't come on. Also should the fuel regulator make a sound when I jump wire between those two terminals. The security lights and check engine lights come on and go off whenever I turn the key. If the check engine light doesn't stay on, would it still be worthwhile to rent a computer? Thanks again for your help
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Monday, January 3rd, 2011 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Most relays of this type, terminal 30 is hot all the time, when the relay is energized, that little arm with arrowhead moves to other terminal, there is continuity between terminal 30 and terminal 87. This diagram shows 87 to be hot all the time? Doesn't much matter, use a voltage tester on both terminals, one at a time, one of those should be hot/voltage all the time.

Also, make sure the battery has a full charge and connections are good.
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add, that hot wire at the relay is fuse protected, PCM bat fuse, underhood fuse block.
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
PAWPABW
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I tested the fuse box and relay's and they're working fine. I'm just not getting electricity to the fuel pump. I read online that it could be my theft deterrent system. Now I just have to find it.
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
If the fuel pump won't run using that jumper on the relay, And the power circuit to the load side of relay is hot, your security system has nothing to do with it. I'd have to check the gray wire circuit to the pump. Something doesn't add-up here?
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add, any fuse you check, you have to check for voltage at the fuse circuit, using a voltage tester. Even if fuse is good, if no voltage, circuit is dead.
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
PAWPABW
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I ran a jumper from the relay to the wiring that goes to fuel pump, and fuel pump kicks on and car starts but the fuel pump stay's running as long as I have the jumper touching the wires. Once I take jumper off wires, then I rechecked the fuse you told me in the first post the and it was blown after all. I feel so dumb. The car it running now thanks for all of your help.

Once again thanks for your help :)
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 10:29 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers
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Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
SIVIC3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello, i'm currently having same issue, only difference is I see my gas gauge showing full now where before starting issue it was correct and showing near Empty. How i'm gonna recheck and run a jumper from 30 to 87, but I believe I didn't have power at 87, but we did test jumper from another power and put it at 30 and it turned pump on. Could you assist me in this please? Thanks.
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Wednesday, December 16th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
THe fuel pump relay does not help the fuel gauge. Please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 4:29 PM

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