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1993 Ford Tempo Dies and Won't Start

Tiny
FYTNFYR
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 FORD TEMPO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 48,000 MILES
By process of elimination, I believe the problem to be the fuel pump relay switch (changed plugs, wires, rotor, fuel filter, battery connections). One minute the care will start and run fine, then next it just dies as if it ran out of fuel. Sometimes it will start right up, other times it sits for extended periods of time. From other blogs sounds like a common problem with the relay switch, but. Where is the fuel pump relay switch located? I believe it may be somewhere near the strut in the engine compartment drivers side. But it is part of the "body control module'? I am not a mechanic and am trying to figure this out myself. Dropping the tank to replace the fuel pump will be my last option. Is this an easy replacement. What is estimated part cost? Thanks very much!
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Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 AT 4:58 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,757 POSTS
Hi fytnfyr. Welcome to the forum. How have you determined this is a fuel problem? When it doesn't start, have you checked for spark?

It is more common to have a failure of the TFI (thick film integrated) module on the side of the distributor. The pickup coil can be intermittent too. Both of them can become heat-sensitive and fail when they get warm.

Caradiodoc
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Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
FYTNFYR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
This was an educated guess from similar symptoms I searched that appeared in several different forums. This morning the car started without any issues (by the way - are you supposed to be able to hear the fuel pump "whine" when you first turn on the ignition- I had heard that this might be a sign it was going bad). I will check the TFI and coil and get back to you but there are times when the car won't start even when it is stone cold. Thanks again.
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,757 POSTS
It is common to hear the fuel pump hum; that's a good sign because you know it's running. If you don't hear it when the car doesn't start, try banging on the bottom of the tank while a helper cranks the engine. The most common way for a pump to fail is for it to not start running. That is due to worn brushes in the motor, but your car doesn't really have enough miles for that to be the problem yet. They rarely quit while they are already running.

Caradiodoc
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 AT 2:56 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
How bout when it quits and wont restart listen for pump and then check for spark? This would be an easy way to narrow it down? The relay is part of a triple relay assembly on fenderwall on battery side if I remember right. Not a cheap item. Could get a used 1 or determine wiring colors and splice to bypass it or add your own relay!
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 AT 12:44 AM
Tiny
FYTNFYR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi, when it quits, there is no sound from the fuel pump. It does seem to be getting a spark, though - but no fuel.
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
FYTNFYR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have a bone yard near by that has a Tempo to part out. The guy says I can pretty much have what I want if I pull it. What would the triple relay assembly mentioned in the earlier post be called - what does it look like and where exactly is it? Thanks!
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
I'm free help. When it quits and no pump noise, go to crash relay in trunk and check for 12v output. Last guy had same symptoms it turned out to be pump, even though it was less than year old. You can google for parts locations or do search of this forum. The pump assembly is in tank right under back seat' hump' in middle after you remove seat. I always cut a hole to get to it with a chisel. Then make my own cover out of sheet metal.
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 AT 6:13 PM

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