I believe my fuel pump has gone bad?

Tiny
ANDREAELISE2126
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 2.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,938 MILES
I believe my fuel pump has gone bad, but to test it I was going to jump the relay to see if I could get it to work or not. But, I cannot find the diagram online for what wire is what on the relay. The car has been sitting parked for about five years it ran fine when I parked it though. But what is a long time for a car to sit without being started. The car will try to start with the external fuel pump I wired but the pump is too small so it is not getting enough gas. It will run for about three seconds and quit. So before I go trying to replace the fuel pump which I dread I want to make sure it is bad first.
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 4:13 AM

29 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the pump you wired in is working then the relay is probably bad. This guide can help us test it. Here is the relay location in the diagrams below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 6:31 AM
Tiny
GREG1971
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 149,000 MILES
Where is the fuel pump relay located on a 1989 camaro?
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
On left side of firewall to left of brake booster
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MTD52786
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 182,000 MILES
I have replaced the fuel pump (OEM Certified) the Fuel pump relay, fuel filter, the entire starting system, and cleaned everything. I am getting spark and air (the car will start if you pour gas in it but die shortly after) but the fuel pump still won't come on unless I manually turn it on. Even when I do that the car won't start. No one has any idea what it is please help?
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Electrical prob most likely at the tank trace power from key switch to ecm to relay back to pump. Somewhere there is a break or you have a bad ecm. Good luck billymac
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DBRESLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1989 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 48,000 MILES
Where is the fuel pump relay on 1989 camaro rs?
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Check out the diagrams (Below) for the fuel pump locaiton. Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/561653_Fuel_pump_relay_89_Camaro_1.jpg

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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DA37KING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Electrical problem
1988 Chevy Camaro 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

I replaced fuel pump, relay and wiring harness, but pump still won't start up. The pump runs if I hook it up directly battery but will not power on when hooked up in the tank, I used volt meter to check the voltage at connection to pump and it is reading 8.50-9, but when connected there it will nit power the pump, what could I be missing
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you are getting power to the connector but eh pump still doesn't run then either the wires inside the tank are broke or not firing the pump or the pump is bad. or go to the easy stuff and check the fuel pump switch it runs off the oil pressure it has or should have an orange and tan/white wire, jump that and see if the pump starts, if it does then you need a new switch.... here is a pic to show you.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/406719_fuel_pump_switch_1.jpg

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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
86CAMAROOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 6 CYL
  • MANUAL
I am hoping somebody has some suggestions on what we should look at next to try to get my car running again. If I forget any details, please let me know.

Car specs: '86 Camaro, 2.8, 6-cyl, multi-port fuel injection.

I was in the last 4 miles of a 64 mile drive when the car died without notice. I shouldn't say completely without notice, the check engine light had been coming on periodically. I was doing roughly 45 mph and it just stalled. It has roughly 3/4 tank of gas in it which had been purchased the day prior.

Troubleshooting we have done so far:
We replaced the fuel filter as we knew it needed to be done anyways. After doing so, we noticed that the spark plugs are dry.
When turning the key to the on position, the fuel pump doesn't start.
Attempted to run fuel pump with test connector through terminal G, did not work.
Replaced oil/fuel pump switch, then retried the test connector through terminal G and the fuel pump operated. Car still won't start.
Replaced fuel pump relay. Fuel pump still works through test connector, but not when I turn the key on. Car still won't start.
Any suggestions?
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Need to check fuel pressure need 37-45 psi. Attach gague to schrader valve on fuel rail
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
To add to that. The pump only powers for 2 seconds when the key is first turned on.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
86CAMAROOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you, I will test that. Would a lack of pressure allow the pump to run when a cord is plugged into terminal G, but not when the key is turned on?
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The pressure test is only going to tell you whether the pump is working properly and when.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
86CAMAROOWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I checked the pressure and it is at 40psi.

Finally figured out the problem on another forum and figured I would share my results here in case anyone else runs into this frustrating situation.

There is an additional fuse under the hood. It's in a little black box attached inside the passenger side fender next to the battery. Apparently when the fuel pump relay went out, it blew this fuse. I had checked all the fuses in the fuse box, but didn't know about this one. New 20amp fuse and the car started right up!
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEE M.
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1985 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 140,000 MILES
No power to fuel pump.I have checked the fuses and relay still no power. What advise do you have for me? Thanks
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
When you say no power, do you mean you are testing harness AT pump? And there is power leaving relay ok?
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Ck. The voltage at the fuel pump fuse first
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEE M.
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
There is power leaving the relay and I did check harness at pump. And I did ck the voltage at the fuel pump first Lee
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Guess you'll have to bactrack the harness. Bein an 85, good chance for corroded plug somewhere or some other kind of damage to wring.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)

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