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Just did a complete engine rebuild on 2003 Explorer. All back together....have new battery, starter working, spark at plugs lol crank but no start. Next check is fuel. Fuel pump WAS working fine when timing chain guides went about a year ago...(had to rehab 2 parents and finish bath remodel before pulling engine) So... 1 year later I can't seem to get the fuel pump to work. I checked all fuses and relay. The fuel gauge is working - full tank. Any suggestions?
If I get it running... should I trust it? or just replace it. I have not drained the tank yet... still looking for enough containers to hold fuel and hoping I can get hose all the way into the tank. The entire rebuild has only cost $1,000 with the majority of the expense being reconditioning of heads and block. I do not want to just toss in another $150 if it is not needed, especially right now.
Do you know if you are getting power to the fuel pump? Have you checked for power to and through the fuel pump inertia switch? Maybe you jarred the truck enough working on the engine that you tripped the inertia switch.
Have you tried the old standby of giving the tank a good whack? This little trick has brought a dead pump back to life and gotten me home a couple of times.
The last time was on an MG midget, but that pump was'nt in the tank. I had to whack the floor board just behind the passenger seat to keep that pump running
I checked the inertia switch (you are referring to the one in the side panel by passenger door correct?) That was not tripped.
I did whack the bottom of the tank several times, even when we hit the switch. I believe now I hear a click - which was not there before. But I still do not hear the pump running.
I tried to siphon the fuel out, no go getting a tube in the tank filler. I did pull the valve out of the schrader valve on the fuel rail and pulled fuel up and through the rail, but only siphoned out about a quart. Could not get a good enough vacuum. LOL we shook the truck side to side to mix up the fuel after adding fuel treatment. Still no go. Help!!
I have put so much work into this engine overhaul. I will not be defeated by a darn fuel pump!
One more thought... my Odyssey has a solenoid under the dash which cut off my fuel pump at random times. Does a similar solenoid exist on the Explorer?
Oh and since my fuel gauge is registering, I assumed I have power to the pump. If this is a poor assumption, where would I have lost power connection? I did not think there were any connections in the engine compartment (for the fuel pump). I did unplug just about everything under the hood, but all have been reconnected.
We did wire brush all exposed rust on the undercarriage and painted it. Could we have dislodged a ground somewhere? I did not see one, but something is not happy... besides mommy!
The first place I would suggest starting is to confirm you have power to and through the inertia switch. That will help you determine if you need to be looking at the electrical and more forward area of the truck or if you need to be looking underneath and in the area of the fuel tank.
On some Fords the inertia switch sends voltage to the fuel pump or an idiot light on the dash if the switch has tripped.
If yours has the idiot light heres a simple test: turn the key on & tap on the inertia switch until the button pops up. Is the idiot light on? If not the fuel pump is not the problem.
OK, pulled the kick panel off and found no power coming to the inertia switch. So... What is between the fuse/ relay and the inertia switch? Is there a solenoid like in my Odyssey?
Fuse 26 & 39 are wired to the fuel pump relay, The fuses are under the hood in the battery junction box.
The other side of the relay is wired to the PCM/computer & to the inertia switch and the inertia switch is wired directly to the fuel pump, that's all there is to the fuel pump circuit.
One of those fuses might be blown or the fuel pump relay might be bad.
BTW does the check engine light come on for a couple of seconds when you turn the key one click? If not you will need to find out why the PCM isn't powering up. The pump circuit cant work if the PCM isn't powering up
I have switched relays and ran a wire from battery to pump wire at inertia switch... Pump runs! OK, confirmed power issue. Suggestions on how to isolate the connection to the inertia switch?
I do not have a fuse in 26. I must have a different model than yours. I have 2003 Explorer XLS 4x4.
I guess my nest move is to trace the wiring. It seems (hard to see) that the hot wire to the inertia switch is green/yellow. From the inertia switch it joins additional wires and extends up under the dash, above the glove compartment and I think heads toward the driver side... trying to feel where it goes. I can't find a diagram that will show the exact path the wires take between the fuse box and inertia switch. Do they travel through the engine compartment all the way from drivers side to passenger side before passing through the firewall or pass through firewall on drivers side and travel under the dash??
Also is there a pressure sensor on or near the fuel rail that may not be working (i.e. poor connection)?
Today is my son's birthday and I would love to solve this tonight. Would be a great birthday present.