Fixing Fuel Pump Voltage Drop A systematic approach to getting the pump the voltage it needs without rebuilding half of your car © Copyright 2017, Paul M. [email protected] Fixing Fu… Corrosion of the connectors, damaged wiring or a faulty fuel pump relay can be common causes for voltage drop in the system. Fuel Pump – When throwing some gasoline in the tank is as useless as tossing a grain of sand into vast ocean, there are high chances that you have fuel pump issues. A working fuel pump generally runs on voltage ranging from 12 to 14 volts. If the big wire circuit voltage drops below 10 volts, the fuel pump may not build enough fuel pressure to meet engine requirements.
The first thing that you will need to do is inspect the electrical connections. Corroded connectors or loose connections can cause as a high as 3 volts voltage distance which is very critical for the performance of the fuel pump. According to mechanic Mike Adams, “Checking electrical connections on a regular basis will save you a lot of grief in the future. A good cleaning of the connectors and proper fitting can usually get the voltage back to where it should be.
The next thing to check is the wiring for any signs of damage or overuse. Wiring ages and can fray, breaking or splitting open an electrical circuit, increasing their resistance over time. For every 10 feet or red wire (including white stripes) resistance can also go up by 0.2 ohms as studies indicate it This resistance can produce a major voltage drop, as much as 1 volt. This can be directly addressed by replacing the damaged sections of wire or opting for thicker gauge wire.
Try the fuel pump relay. Power from the relay may drop below the level necessary to run the pump if it is faulty. For example, a bad relay can give you a 5+ volt drop in voltage. How to Test an AC Circuit Breaker Relay With a Multimeter Given that it normally is pretty inexpensive to replace the relay (around $10 to $50, depending on the make and model), a new relay will get you back up and running without breaking the bank.
Another point of consideration is in relation to the condition of the fuel pump itself. An old tired pump may pull more current than usual and this causes a high voltage drop. Now, when an 8-amp-rated fuel pump draws 12 amps, that extra amperage through the wiring creates an added voltage drop across the electrical system. One of the most common issues with fuel gage malfunctions is the fuel pump needing replacing, which can be anything from $100 to $500 depending on your car.
Ground connections Finally, pay attention to the ground connections. Another reason could be due to a bad grounding which can cause voltage drops also. An ideal ground per industry standards states less than 0.1 ohm of resistance. Should testing show increased resistance, it is necessary to clean or replace the ground connection to maintain optimal fuel pump function.
One question that arises is, “How to repair fuel pump voltage drop?” So how do you get to the root of the problem, in that case, it involves a step-by-step process going through connections, wiring, relays and all the way to the pump. Every step is vital in aiding accurate voltage to the fuel pump to allow it to work for a longer duration. By keeping the electrical system in a good shape will help you to increase vehicles reliability and prevent issues further down the path as mentioned by Research Snipers. Visit Fuel Pump to learn more regarding quality Fuel Pumps.