Fuel Pump Issue: Fuel pump relay OR the pump itself

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  • Bimmerista
    R3V Elite
    • Nov 2005
    • 5425
    #1

    Fuel Pump Issue: Fuel pump relay OR the pump itself

    My e30 decided to act up tonight. It has been driving perfectly fine since I've had it and up until I parked it earlier, everything was fine. When I left the place I was at, the motor turned over, but it struggled to stay on, my thought was its either a vacuum issue or fuel pump.

    After testing everything else, I decided to bang on the fuel pump cover and sure enough, the car started right up and I drove home 7 miles, no issue.

    Now, I'm the type to fix something before it goes wrong/bad. I'm trying to figure out if the problem I had tonight is related to the fuel pump or fuel pump relay. How does one distinguish b/w the two? Can a relay fix the issue or do you think I should jump straight to replacing the fuel pump.

    You 2 cents is highly appreciated...

    Tags: None
    • Ruffian
      Grease Monkey
      • Oct 2003
      • 378
      #2
      Not relay. It's the pump. More to the point, it's the propellers in the pump. Whether it's contaminate or just old.

      You can jump the relay all day and it may or may not stick. I chased that gremlin for a longgggg time.
      Keith

      "Die feine Art, schnell zu sein."
      "I don't have a gambling problem, my gambling pays for my e30 addiction."

        Comment

        • jlevie
          R3V OG
          • Nov 2006
          • 13530
          #3
          +1 The fact that a rap on the pump helped strongly suggests that the problem is in the pump.
          The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
          Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

            Comment

            • Bimmerista
              R3V Elite
              • Nov 2005
              • 5425
              #4
              After being parked overnight, the car fired up just fine this morning.

              Now, if I go ahead and replace the fuel pump, do I have to unplug the battery since the pump is electric?

                Comment

                • Ruffian
                  Grease Monkey
                  • Oct 2003
                  • 378
                  #5
                  Originally posted by Bimmerista
                  After being parked overnight, the car fired up just fine this morning.

                  Now, if I go ahead and replace the fuel pump, do I have to unplug the battery since the pump is electric?
                  You will be okay just disconnecting the pump at the pump with the keys in the off position. I know that the car started fine, that's what i was referring to in my first post. I too thought maybe it was just a one time thing and the car lasted 3 days more. Worst part was it was the wife's car. Imagine a mental picture of driving down the street, pounding on the top of the fuel pump to keep it working just enough to get it home...that's what lays in wait for you my friend.

                  As for replacing the pump, some folks have had success with the walbro(not sure of spelling), but I just sourced a good used pump and used that.
                  Keith

                  "Die feine Art, schnell zu sein."
                  "I don't have a gambling problem, my gambling pays for my e30 addiction."

                    Comment

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