1984 Ford Thunderbird Fuel Pump

FREDSMYTHSON

MEMBER
1984 FORD THUNDERBIRD
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

Recently, the external fuel pump stopped working on my 1984 Ford T-Bird. I replaced the fuel pump with an aftermarket fuel pump and now the car won't start. I primed the CFI bowl with fuel and the car started and ran for about five seconds, so it looks like this is a fuel delivery problem. I can hear the external fuel pump run and prime when I turned the ignition on. When I disconnected the fuel hose from the new external pump, there was no pressure in the fuel line and the fuel hose from the tank to the pump was dry. There is fuel in the tank. So, I'm wondering if the internal fuel pump will need to be replaced, or is it a fuel relay problem. Where would I start to troubleshoot this issue? Thanks!

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 AT 4:17 AM

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Is the internal F/Pump coming on when key at On? If not -power the pump directly from the battery and see if it turns on. If not and the ground side is good its defective, Now if it turns on and still no pressure again its defective or the intank pick-up sock is entirely clogged-up

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Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 AT 4:39 AM

FREDSMYTHSON

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I checked the internal fuel pump while an assistant turned on the ignition. I was listening near the fuel filler opening and I could hear the internal fuel pump turn on. I could also hear a lot of fuel splashing around the tank when the internal fuel pump primed.

If the external pump is not working, should there still be pressure in the line created by the internal fuel pump? I'm just hoping the external after-market fuel pump I just installed isn't bad.

So, I can hear the external and internal fuel pumps are powering on when the ignition is turned to on? Are there any other components in the fuel system I should check before I uninstall the fuel tank? Thanks.

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Saturday, November 28th, 2009 AT 8:12 PM