Fuel pump relay location

Tiny
THSSX
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 38,000 MILES
I have a 03 Taurus w/38000 miles. The car overall runs fine but every so often (3 times so far) the car will run rough acting like its starving for fuel. I have resat the fuel shut off in the trunk and the the car runs fine but 2 of the 3 times I have had to let the car cool down and then reset the switch and it starts and runs fine for a week or so then it happens again.
I feel it maybe the fuel pump relay but I am not sure. How can I find out what the problem may be?
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 AT 8:34 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
Check fuel pressure. If the pump is failing, the pressure will be lower than it should be. If it is the relay, it will lose pressure entirely when the engine stalls.

The relay is in the diagrams below
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Thursday, May 14th, 2009 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
QUADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 11,230 MILES
I've been having problems with my car lately whereas the car sitting at idle would die intermittenly. I replaced the fuel filter which seemed to help then symptoms came back and got worse to the point that the car wouldn't even start unless I shot starter fluid into throttle body in which case the car might run for 5-10 mins.I then dropped gas tank and replaced the entire fuel pump assy. The car ran fine for 2 days after which the car sat untouced for 4 days. I came home from a trip and tried to start car and again it would only turn over and not start unless I shot starter fluid into it, and then the car ran at idle for 5 mins before dying again. I don't beleive it's the new fuel pump. Could it be a defective pump relay or maybe a bad ground?

Thanks,

Quadrunner
(734)658-3941
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Turn the key to on, and listen for the pump, it should run for 2-3 seconds, if not check fuses and relay in the power distribution center under the hood. If they are OK check the connector at the tank and test for power. Is your check engine light on? There will be a code set if it is the fuel pump driver module, or PCM...you will get P1233 or P1234 scan it, even if you have to buy a cheap scanner at Autozone...It's an investment that can be used on all cars sold in the US sinc 1996...post the result, or let me know if the light isn't on, Also make sure the inertia switch is pessed down, it's in the trunk...Fuel pump driver module is behind the right kickpanel, the pink/black wire is pump power, and the whte/red is pump control, test pink black for power while someone turns the key to ON.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_FPDM_1.jpg

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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
QUADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The check engine light is not on, and I did press down on the inertia button to make sure it didn't trip. My brother is stopping bye tomorrow night to hookup his obd2 computer and read the codes for me, but when I get home from work tonight I will check relays and fuses. After I installed the new pump last week I could hear the pump energize when I first tried the new pump, but now the sound that it makes isn't as loud so that's why I was wondering about a bad ground maybe not supplying enough voltage to pump. I'm also going bye Harbor Freight tonight to pick up a pressure guage to check my static pressure when keying ignition
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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The right thing to do! Are you familair with car mechanics and testing?
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
QUADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes I'm familiar with testing procedures, and I will check the relay and fuse when I get home tonight.

Quadrunner
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
QUADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I checked my fuses and they were okay.
I pulled off rear compartment panel and checked the inertia switch and it checked out okay. I then checked the fuel pump control module and here are the results.
Pink (PWR) with blk tracer = 12 volts
blk(gnd) checked okay for continuity to ground.
Blk with Pink tracer (gnd) checked open for continuity to ground.

What sould other wires read? Such as the mod in and mod out, as well as the pmp cntl?

Could this pump control module be bad, or is there a way to check to see if it's okay.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EDDIEU
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 185 MILES
Fule press, 40psi spark = ok replace fule pump relay samething replace fule pump turn key on x2 fule press. 60 psi start & stall after 30-40 sec. Fule press. Dropes to 40 psi. With engine run & stall. Scan ck 1 code p1000, no fule leak tps=ok maf=ok coolant temp=ok egr=ok. Remove vac. Line from fule press. Reg. Samething. HELP!
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
The other thing to check is the crank sensor, PCM must recieve the crank signal to energize fuel injectors.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
You could have a blockage in the intake tract or exhaust tract. One common thing is for catalytic converters to rust out and collapse in on themselves and block the exhaust. You can try banging on the converter with your hand or a rubber mallet to listne for losse metal.
Another problem might be the Idle Air Control Valve, IACV, which controls idle. It is located on the intake manifold near the throttle body. You can test it by removing it and leaving electrical connnector on, some have coolant lines running through them leave those one, and get an assistant to help you. Watch the solenoid plunger while your helper starts the car. It should move when the car starts.
Also look for carbon deposits in the trottle body by taking of intake tube. You may need to clean the thrttle body and IACV. When you do so use always spray towards the intake meaning the direction air would flow into the intake tract. Otherwise you could force depsoits deepr into the ports in the IACV.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
QUADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
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I don't think it would be a crank sensor since when I suirt starting fluid into throttle body and it starts, and secondly when I monitor data stream from the code scanner it shows rpm's which I beleive is generated by the crank sensor. I'm leaning towards a idle control vavle since if I keep the rpm's above 1000 after starting the car it will run, and it runs fine at freeway speeds.I've also replaced all wires, sparkplugs and coil pack which didn't make any difference.

Regards,

Richard
(734)658-3941
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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A good bet, but if it starts with throrrle held prt open, can be TPS as well, But Ford did have some problems with IAC's, pull it off, if it's shinny inside, it indicates a backfire. And that woul;d of course ruin the valve!
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
QUADRUNNER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
After I shoot starter fluid into throttle body I leave it closed, and I just hit the key and it fires up, so I'm more inclined to think of a iac as opposed to a bad tps sensor. Thankls for posting, when I find out problem I will post back and let everyone know.

Thanks,
Quadrunner
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYAN1975
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 135,000 MILES
At first wasn't getting fuel to fuel rail, checked relay fuses, brain for fuel pump, and relay switch in trunk checked good. So I changed the fuel pump and fuel filter, got fuel to fuel rail now. However it starts runs for about three to five minutes then dies, also dies if I give it gas
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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What is the exact pressure?

Roy
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYAN1975
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I believe it was 5 lbs, I was told
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 2001 FORD TAURUS
  • 120,000 MILES
Changed the fuel pump and fuel pump relay. Reason being I would drive the car maybe 5 or so miles to the store let say when I would come out it would start but run very rough then die. I then would have to wait any where from 30 minutes to an hour before it would start then it would be fine all day this kept happening, thats why I changed the fuel pump and relay.
I really need to get this going before I lose my job Help!
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
I don't know why you would start simply throwing parts at it with no testing at all.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DWZG4
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD TAURUS
Electrical problem
2001 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Which relay/fuse controls the gas pump?
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Inertia Fuel Shut Off switch will be either in cargo area behind right rear wheel well or on left "B" pillar (depending on model and engine). If tripped, switch has to be manually re-set.

Battery junction box behind radiator
Fuse #116 20A
Fuse #102 30A
Fuel Pump relay
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)

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