Fuel pump fuel keeps blowing

Amoeba · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:25

Hi

So on the way to work this morning my car decided to die... upon further investigation it turns out the fuel pump fuse keeps blowing. What could cause this? I am hoping that it is just a bad pump, but am also thinking there could be a short circuit somewhere in the wiring..

Is there any particular place I should be looking? Replacing the fuse lets the car run for a minute or so but then the fuse just blows again with a spark, suggesting the pump rather than wiring.

I have removed the pump from the tank -- would connecting it up to 12v on a bench and measuring the current help? I have left the ignition on with the pump disconnected for a while and the fuse hasn't blown again, so does look to me like a pump issue..

Thanks
David

Edit: haha just noticed the interesting typo in the title

Dr Who · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:27

Yes that would be good as if the pump is failing it may be drawing too much current.

Burlsey · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:31

What car? Some diesel cars have a heater in the fuel filter, when this heater fails it trips the fuse that runs the pump and fuel heater.

Amoeba · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:34

200sx, so petrol.

Ordered a new pump now anyway, just hope it fixes it..

thedazman67 · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:47

Original pump or walbro? If its a walbro might want to check how its been connected.

Xez · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:52

Sounds like the cable has chaffed and is grounding between the fuse and the fuel pump. I had this on my old clio, I cleaned the plug contacts and bent them so that they were making better contact.

Amoeba · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:56

It's a Walbro but the connections looked ok (ie not shorting out).

Nomisf · 5 Oct 2012 at 18:32

Out of interest, what rating is the fuse - and what chassis is the 200SX ? (12/13/14/a) ?

*Moangroan* · 5 Oct 2012 at 19:07

Xez said:
Sounds like the cable has chaffed and is grounding between the fuse and the fuel pump. I had this on my old clio, I cleaned the plug contacts and bent them so that they were making better contact.

I would check for something like this also.

Amoeba · 6 Oct 2012 at 10:08

Nomisf said:
Out of interest, what rating is the fuse - and what chassis is the 200SX ? (12/13/14/a) ?

15 amp and S14a. I've had the car 3 years and never had a fuse blow, so doubt it is due to the rating.

*Moangroan* said:
I would check for something like this also.

If you read the OP you will see that I've left the ignition on but with the pump disconnected, which I am assuming would have blown the fuse if there was a short circuit..?

ZG002 · 6 Oct 2012 at 10:25

Most likely to be a faulty pump than a wiring issue.

Nomisf · 6 Oct 2012 at 14:02

Amoeba said:
15 amp and S14a. I've had the car 3 years and never had a fuse blow, so doubt it is due to the rating.

I was curious more than anything

On mine, a bad earth for the pump was causing the fuse to blow. On the S-Body the fuel pump is earthed through the ECU, which can control the current to slow the pump at idle. My ecu went a bit mad, and kept causing the fuse to blow. In the end I took the earth straight to ground and installed an aftermarket FPR.

bobuk · 6 Oct 2012 at 14:55

Put an amp meter in between the feed to the pump and see how much power its pulling.

Amoeba · 6 Oct 2012 at 20:28

Nomisf said:
I was curious more than anything On mine, a bad earth for the pump was causing the fuse to blow. On the S-Body the fuel pump is earthed through the ECU, which can control the current to slow the pump at idle. My ecu went a bit mad, and kept causing the fuse to blow. In the end I took the earth straight to ground and installed an aftermarket FPR.

Hmm interesting.. I had the ECU chipped a few months ago so hope it is not related. Going to fit my new pump tomorrow so will know for sure then

morfmedia · 6 Oct 2012 at 23:25

Run a new cable if it happens again IMO

D.Roberts · 7 Oct 2012 at 14:31

I have not read the whole post but it could all so be partly blocked causing it to have to work harder.

Amoeba · 7 Oct 2012 at 14:33

Well the new pump is in now and all is ok again. Not taken a look at the old one yet but will check for blockages before i chuck it

D.Roberts · 8 Oct 2012 at 22:53

Did u take the old pump apart out of interest?