2 Common Problems After Changing Fuel Pump

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When something is not done properly, as supposed, there’s the possibility of the thing not working as expected afterward.

Coming down to automobiles, they are a very intricate machine that shouldn’t be handled lackadaisically. That’s why it is best to have an experienced mechanic fix your vehicle each time it develops a fault.

Some drivers have made complaints regarding some common problems after changing fuel pump. The fuel pump is a vital component that contributes to the seamless performance of your vehicle’s engine. When it is faulty or not installed properly, that’s a serious issue that needs immediate intervention.

Now, let’s look at some of the fuel pump problems.

Common Problems After Changing Fuel Pump

You are likely to experience one or more of the issues explained below if you replaced your vehicle’s fuel pump by yourself, or the mechanic didn’t install it properly.

1. The Vehicle’s Engine Runs Rough

Some drivers have complained that their vehicle’s engine runs roughly even after changing the fuel pump.

Well, in this situation, there are two things that could be causing the issue. First, it’s either the fuel pump was not fixed properly, or the issue is not from the pump.

Was the car running smoothly prior to the fuel pump change? If yes, then it’s obvious that the pump wasn’t properly installed.

So, you need to check it out and do it the proper way (if you were the person that installed it prior) or drive back to the mechanic that did the job.

If the fuel pump was fixed as supposed, and you weren’t experiencing any other issue with the car, your car is expected to run smoothly and accelerate with ease.

2. Fuel Pump Not Coming On

Also, there have been cases where most drivers complain of their newly replaced fuel pump not coming on.

To make things look more complicated, the fuse and relay may be in perfect condition. In such a situation, chances are that the fuel pump wasn’t installed properly.

More so, it could be that the new fuel pump (used to replace the old one) is equally faulty and you never knew. The fuel pump circuit is also another possible culprit here. The fuel pump circuit is the “switch” that turns off/on the fuel pump.

Hence, if the fuel pump circuit is faulty, the pump itself won’t be able to pass gas from the tank to the engine. So, if you’re certain that the fuel pump relay and fuse are working fine, then the issue could be from the pump circuit.

What should you do? First, check if there’s power on the fuel pump circuit; that’s verifying the transfer of power from the relay to the pump.

If you check and power is not being transferred, it could be a wiring issue or the ignition switch has gone bad.

However, it is imperative to say that even though you bought a brand new fuel pump, chances are that the pump could still be defective; it could be defective out of the box due to the manufacturer’s mistake or packaging errors.

To avoid all these issues, it is best to engage an experienced mechanic to change your fuel pump if the old one has gone bad. This way, the mechanic would lookup other relative issues and have everything fixed up at once.

How To Check/Troubleshoot Fuel Pump Problems

Common Problems After Changing Fuel Pump

Since fuel pump issues can be linked with many possible causes, including faulty wiring, wear, etc., it is important that you know how to troubleshoot the system to point out the exact problem.

1. Fuel Pressure Test

A clogged fuel filter can cause acceleration issues. First, remove the filter and drain the fuel that’s left inside. Insert a short rubber hose to the filter inlet and blow it; afterward, reinsert the filter.

Get a fuel pressure gauge, hook it to the fuel pump test point (the position differs in different vehicles), and then ask someone else to rev your engine as you check the pressure gauge’s reading.

The pressure gauge should read something close to the specification on your car repair manual.

2. Fuel Pump Electrical Test

For an electrical test, you need to check the power source of the fuel pump, which, of course, is a fuse. The location of the fuel pump fuse differs based on vehicle types, models, etc.

So you need to check your vehicle’s manual to find out where yours is located. When you find it, pull it out and check if it is blown (broken or burned).

If there seems to be no damage to the fuse, check out other fuses that are connected to the fuel pump system.

Now, after checking out the fuses and they all looked good, have a friend start the car (put it in ignition) while you listen to the fuel pump relay clicking on. If this seems technical for you to do, have a mechanic run the test.

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Conclusion | Fuel Pump Problems

Honestly, fuel pump issues can be very complex, and replacing a bad fuel pump is yet another intricate task that requires strict carefulness.

Since the fuel pump system connects and works with a number of supportive components, if you notice certain issues after replacing a bad one, you need to carry out different checks before opting for another change.

What are the common problems after changing fuel pump? The major problem you may experience is the fuel pump not coming on, or the engine running rough after a short drive.

To prevent this stressful scenario, it is advisable to stick with a maintenance schedule and always have an experienced technician or mechanic fix your car always.