Hi All, My 89 245gl wagon, started and always ran fine, until one day. Then it would crank over no problem, but wouldn't start. I confirmed that the car is getting spark, and when sprayed starter fluid would fire right up. But when you turn on the key, was not getting any sound from in tank fuel pump.

First I confirmed that there is juice to the plug that the in tank pump plugs into, but when you plug the pump into it, nothing. So I got a new fuel sending unit and pump from a junk yard, and I have the same problem. The strange thing is when you apply juice to the terminals for the pump, the pump runs. When you apply juice to the positive underneath the sending unit round disc, and ground anywhere on metal of sending unit pump runs. But when you put spades in the ends of the wire and apply juice and ground, nothing. I am stumped and really need help.

Please, Please, Please, help. I have replaced the fuel pump relay. Thanks in advance for all your help. Now my poor wagon has sat silent for about a month, just waiting to be fixed. At this point I just don't have a lot of cash to take to garage and wanted to fix myself. What is the volts I should be getting at the plug for the in tank pump to plug into?

This post seems only about the in-tank pump. Could the main pump be the problem? I had to change mine last month after a no-start situation similar to yours.

Could be but the intank pump is not working when plugged in, there fore not sending any fuel at all from tank. That's why I assumed that.

Thanks

Check the crank position sensor (RPM sensor). Juice to the fuel pumps shut off if no signal from crank position sensor.

When my crank sensor died, the fuel system may not have been working, but when i first turned the key to the #2 position, BOTH pumps would turn on for a second or so. This may be the best way to see that the pumps are working.

Its not the CPS since you have spark. Sounds like a bad ground, broken wire to the pump, or fuse 4 is no good.

Run a jumper wire from the left side of fuse 4 to fuse 6. Both pumps should run. Unplug the in-tank pump and measure the volts at the connector, should be close to 12V. Plug the pump in and make sure you have 12V at the exposed pump leads.

fuel relay bad?????

Hi Robert,

First of all thanks for the help. I don't think I am getting 12 v there seems more like 6v. Could that be the problem, and if so where am I loosing volts. I'm not a great mechanic just trying to solve this problem as best as I can. Also, I have heard people mention a 25amp fuse along fender on drivers side, I can't find one at all on my car. There is a 30 amp fuse that comes off one of the wires from battery, and that is fine.

Thanks again.
Bruce

Hi, Thanks for the info, however when Ihad the pump in the tank, I cranked the car over, and removed the large outgoing hose and nothing, no sound of pump and no fuel coming out of the tank.

I recently replaced the fuel pump relay, with a new one from auto zone. So not sure about that.

Hi Robert, Pardon my ignorance here, but when you say exposed leads am I correct in assuming you mean the two wires that go on the post of the pump it's self.? Thanks again.

Yes.

Clean fuse 4. 6V is too low.

As you can imagine the wiring starts at the battery and ends at the pump, to find voltage loss (which is high resistance or excessive current use, or both) you have to take voltage measurements along the wire "chain" to see if the problem is upstream or downstream.

Here is another test. Connect everything up. Turn the key on (not start) and measure the voltage at the large red wire on the pump relay, should be 12V.

Then measure the right and left side of fuse 4 (use the center panel screw for ground) while cranking, should be around 10v and jump briefly to 12v after releasing the key.

Remove and clean the 30A fuse AND holder by the battery. Chances are your main pump isn’t working since I can run my car without the in-tank pump (not happy).

The main pump ground is below the rear seat and the in-tank pump ground is by the power connector ...

Hi Robert, Thanks a lot, I will do that testing this weekend, and let you know what I find. Can I assume if the main fuel pump isn't working then nothing would be pumped from the in tank pump as well. I am also thinking that possibly the in tank pump I got from junk yard could have a bad wire as well from connector in the car to the pump. But I will let you know the results of the tests you suggest.

Thanks
Bruce

Hi, I will check that out as well, thanks so much for your help.

Bruce

I had similar problem, but different symptom. In my case the car would start and die right away, but if I disconnected the in-tank fuel pump by removing the fuse #4, then the car would stay running. I also observed less than 10 V at the fuel pump supply connector in the trunk. Replaced the fuse #4 with a new one from Autozone... to my pleasant surprise the problem went away. The car's been running fine now. Replace the fuse and see what happens.

Hi Thanks, I will try that as well. I'm glad you had simple success. That is always a welcome situation.

Bruce