Fuel Pumps

[sweet02]

Just wondering if anyone has replaced the fuel pump on a 2002 bird? I have one with 10,500 miles, is stored in the winter and now having problems starting. Had to be towed yesterday and I'm told the fuse blew and not sending electricity to the fuel pump, the cost $980.00. Does this sound about right? They could tell me 2000.00 and I wouldn't know the difference.

Might this be an ongoing problem?

Thanks,

Computer gal in Minnesota

[Lonestar]

Re: Fuel Pumps

If the fuse blew then there is certainly no power going to the pump. I think I would replace the fuse first (assuming it has not been replaced). If it immediately blows again then let's trust your dealer. However, I would call a couple of other places to get a quote before spending $980. The pumps do cost anywhere from $250. to $350. by themselves. A dealership is probably charging $600. for it.

[bart]

Re: Fuel Pumps

Same thing for me a year or two ago with my 2002. Wouldn't start after storing for the winter. About $ 950 if I remember correctly for new fuel pump. Really shouldn't happen on a car with less than 10,000 miles. Good luck!

[sweet02]

Re: Fuel Pumps

Thank you for your replies. I have called a couple other dealers and they priced them between 6-700 including labor, $95.00 for the diagnostics (which this dealer is charging me 129.00) I do feel better, hearing it does happen, however I wish I had asked sooner and just got the fuse replaced. Included in that 980 or so is a fuel filter. Would they charge 100 just for that?

[Harry's Platinum 04]

Re: Fuel Pumps

FYI--These cars have a pair of saddle tanks and hence two fuel pumps--one is just a transfer pump which should be less expensive than the high pressure pump. Also, be sure the fuel pump inertia switch hasn't been tripped for some reason.
Harry

[sweet02]

Re: Fuel Pumps

One of the dealers mentioned the two pumps and also the switch. Would putting the orginal boot in the trunk trigger that?

Great tips, thank you!!

[Harry's Platinum 04]

Re: Fuel Pumps

Putting something in the trunk shouldn't trip the inertia switch--it's located in the left front kick panel.

[njmcphillips]

Re: Fuel Pumps

How much fuel was in the tank during storage?

[steelblue5505]

Re: Fuel Pumps

About the same amount when it went into storage!

Sorry I couldn't help myself.........

[sweet02]

Re: Fuel Pumps

The tank was full, with stablilizer. I had driven about 30 miles, then stored. It is now fixed, but when I asked the mechanic at the Ford dealer about which pump was replaced, he said there is only one. I said that I had heard otherwise, but he said, "Nope, just one" and wasn't going to argue it. He suggested that rather than taking out the battery and storing in the house, to just start the car every week during the winter months.

I'm really surprised that a vehicle with 10,000 on it can run great, sit for few months, start up OK in the spring, then can hardly start because a fuse blew out the fuel pump??? One other question, if the fuse blew would it would have been able to turn over even for a few seconds? It did do that, but I couldn't keep it running (fuel filter?)

At any rate, the damage has been done and I'm sure I'll recover from this ride (that's if the weather ever clears up in MN).

Thanks

[312]

Re: Fuel Pumps

A fuse is designed to prevent current overload in the circuit it protects. Without it ,your wiring could become very hot and cause a fire in the event of a short circuit in the pump or related wiring. A blown fuse is telling you that you have a problem .It is not THE PROBLEM ,only an indicator of one. By the way , the new gas formula that got rid of the MTBE in the gas is knocking out fuel pumps like its going out of style.It actually turned my in tank fuel hose's on my vette into jelly.

[sweet02]

Re: Fuel Pumps

Thanks Randy, I think I understand now and there's really nothing preventing it from happening again, is there?

[Kokomo]

Re: Fuel Pumps

When my '02 was just a few months old, I had to get a fuel pump relay replaced. It was done under warranty so I don't know the cost. I noticed that no one else has mentioned a relay.

[Leroy]

Re: Fuel Pumps

sweet02,
I believe you caused the problem when you added Stablilizer to your gas. I assume you put more than one bottle of it in for a full tank of gas. That Stablilizer is made with very high proof alcohol and mixes with any water in your tank which lays in the low point of the tank where the pump is, or where the pick-up tube is. Alcohol can deteriorate seals, gaskets, O rings and hoses rapidly under pressure. Putting a tank of E-85 in your car may have a similar effect.
Leroy

[MATBird]

Re: Fuel Pumps

A fuse is designed to prevent current overload in the circuit it protects. Without it ,your wiring could become very hot and cause a fire in the event of a short circuit in the pump or related wiring. A blown fuse is telling you that you have a problem .It is not THE PROBLEM ,only an indicator of one. By the way , the new gas formula that got rid of the MTBE in the gas is knocking out fuel pumps like its going out of style.It actually turned my in tank fuel hose's on my vette into jelly.

Hi 312:
First of all, Welcome to the Nest!!
Not sure how old your Vette is but, it is a fact that E85 is NOT good for older cars and small engines. It is actually a solvent that cleans out sludge and sends it to the bottom of tanks and it eats rubber seals, so maybe it liked your fuel hose as well.
Here's a thread I posted that never got much attention, which surprised me:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...tartron+Stacon