Has your fuel pump failed

[Old Joe]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

I thought the pump on my 2002 had failed at 70,000 miles but, I was wrong.
The engine would crank but not fire. The 15A fuel pump fuse had blown.
The fuel gage read 1/4 Full. I added fuel and a new fuse and it started/ran.
A few lessons learned here:
1. Don't be so quick to blame the fuel pump etc. just because it blows fuses.
2. The fuel pump will probably blow its fuse when not immersed in fuel. That makes sense as one would certainly not want it to overheat.
3. Don't know why as yet it would not draw fuel when the gage read 1/4 full.
4. There is a TSB (Ford Technical Service Bulletin) #15466 dated 12/1/01 that apparently addresses a related issue. I have not accessed a copy yet.
5. Never again will I allow my fuel gage reading to get down to the 1/4 level...or Winter store the vehicle with less than a full tank of gas.
5. When one runs out of gas and then tries to restart after refueling, it takes a VERY long cranking time for the fuel to reach the injectors.

[rodeknyt]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

Had to replace the pump on our '02 last year. Had somewhere around 41K on the clock.

[My Raven]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

Replaced this Fall with 66k miles ...

[mdbluebrd]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

I voted yes, but technically it hasn't been replaced yet, but it did just go bad and I'm planning on getting it to a dealer soon to be replaced (under ESP). I only have ~25K on the car, but it went bad after sitting for several months. Historically I've run the car at least once a month, but it's been in storage at the family farm (an hour away) for awhile.
When I started it a few weeks ago, it ran for a few seconds and then quit. The fuel pump fuse had blown, but replacing the fuse did not fix the problem. The theory is that when left sitting for too long, the ethanol corrodes the pump and the winding burn out under the additional load.

[ThunderBubba]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

Just got the bad news. Fuel pump needs replacing. And it won't be cheap.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

Sorry to hear that, Marty. It only hurts a little while.

[Old Joe]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

Hey mdbluebrd....Is your fuel level reading around 1/4 or less? If so, you might try the following simple experiment that worked for me, thus avoiding costly and unnecessary fuel pump replacement:
1. Add 3 or 4 gallons of gas to the tank.
2. Replace the 15A fuel pump fuse.
3. Turn ignition key to the RUN position and hold for 10 seconds.
4. Attempt to start the engine for 30 seconds.
5. Recheck fuse and observe whether or not it has again blown.
6. If fuse DID NOT blow this time, your pump is okay; engine will eventually start/run.
7. If fuse DID blow this time, proceed with your previously chosen repair method.

[ThunderBubba]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

Sorry to hear that, Marty. It only hurts a little while.

Yeah I say OUCH every time I reach for my wallet.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

With nearly a third of respondents having to replace their fuel pumps I guess I'm lucky so far.

[tbird6t4]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

My 02 has 62,000 miles and so far so good! I always run premium with no more than 10% ethanol.

Fingers crossed!

[HKS]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

My 02 has 62,000 miles and so far so good! I always run premium with no more than 10% ethanol.
Fingers crossed!

Searched Autozone and found 2 fuel pumps. The cheap one must be the transfer pump . The main pump cost $154.00.
Both pumps are solid plastic. No wonder they fail. I was hoping that the transfer pump was metal and indestructible.
Looks like you will need a special tool. It is a giant tool to remove the big ring holding the pump in the tank. You could make one. Wonder what Ford charges for the tool? It has to grab a large (pump size) plastic ring at 4 places. Would you call it a spanner wrench?

HKS

[Howlandd]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

Had to jump in on this thread. I bought a new Mercury Sable in 1986. Had to replace the fuel pump in 1996 with over 80K miles on it. Cost me about $400 in 1996 money. I don't think this fuel pump issue is unique to our retro Thunderbirds in the sense of cost or frequency of needed repair. Just sayin.

[EllisonCal]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

I was told that all electric fuel pumps rely on being submerged in gasolene to stay cool and have a long life. I fill up anytime the gauge gets just below 1/2 full. I have 93,000 miles on my '05 and no fuel pump problems yet.

[HKS]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

I was told that all electric fuel pumps rely on being submerged in gasolene to stay cool and have a long life. I fill up anytime the gauge gets just below 1/2 full. I have 93,000 miles on my '05 and no fuel pump problems yet.

1/2 full would be completely full on the passenger side of saddle tank where the main pump is located and thus completely submeged.

Can't do any better than that for cooling the pump.

HKS

[Ricker]

Re: Has your fuel pump failed

I think I just got the fuel pump blues. Took the thinderbird out for the first time this year and it ran great and then I let it sit out in the drive. Later when I tryed to start it all it does is crank over and over. If the fuse I'm looking for is under the hood 15A this fuse is not blowen.