Are there any specific signs or clues (symptoms, if you will) that will help me determine whether the problem is the pump itself or just the filter, before I go pulling things apart? A Ford guy also suggested the possibility of a problem with the relay, but I'm not sure what that is.
To help you help me, here is what I can tell you... There is no problem with the electrical. The car powers up just fine, and when I turn the key to start the engine, it tries to start but the engine never actually kicks in. Our neighbor brought over some kind of spray, opened the tube were the air filter goes, and sprayed some in and told me to try to start the car. The engine started, but only ran for short time. It was at that point he said it might be the fuel pump.
I bought the car used from a friend long ago. I don't recall EVER having the fuel filter changed, and I highly doubt the guy I bought it from did, either. I have done a lot of off-roading in the desert, too. These are all good reasons why the fuel filter could be the problem.
I'm on a super tight budget, otherwise I would just take it in and say %26quot;here, figure it out please%26quot;. I'd like to try to figure out what exactly the problem is myself, that way I'm only paying for what actually must be done.
Thanks in advance.
If you need more information in order to help me, give me your email or something and I will get back to you that way.How can I tell whether I need to replace my fuel pump or fuel filter ('95 Ford Explorer)?Your friend sprayed starting fluid into the intake. The fact that it started %26amp; ran for a couple of seconds was the starting fluid burning off.
First, make SURE the car is not out of gas! Check to make sure that the fuse to the fuel gauge is not blown. On that model Ford, when that fuse blows, the gauge STAYS at the position it was when it blew, even if you turn the car off %26amp; turn it back on. It APPEARS to be working and it appears that you have gas but the gauge will NOT go down to the E.
The NEXT thing you need to do is check for a blown fuel pump fuse. If THAT'S good, then:
Take the gas cap off, put your ear up to the tank, %26amp; have someone turn the key to the %26quot;on%26quot; position (not the %26quot;crank%26quot; position). You should hear a faint whirring sound for about three seconds, then it will cut off. If NOT, then the pump is not working. This means that either no electricity is getting to the pump, OR the pump is bad.
Behind the side panel, just in front of the passenger door, will be an electrical component about the size of a walnut. This component is called the %26quot;inertia%26quot; or %26quot;rollover%26quot; switch. Its' purpose is to shut off the electricity to the fuel pump in case of an accident. Sometimes the switch goes off for no reason, and has to be reset. There will be a button on the side of this switch. Push this reset button and retest to see if the pump starts working.
If this doesn't work, then you'll need to get a test light and test the wiring to see if and where the electrical circuit is not closing. Start with the wires AT the tank and work your way forward until you find electricity flowing for those three seconds that the switch is on. If you have 12v flowing into the tank and the pump still isn't working, then you need to replace the pump. Otherwise, you'll have to keep testing the circuit until you find the problem. Test for 12v going INTO the inertia switch AND going out. Unplug the fuel pump relay from the fuse box and test for juice going into it. If so, plug it back in and turn the key on while feeling the relay. It should make a clicking sound that you can feel. If not, replace the relay.
If, on the other hand, you HEAR the pump running when you do the original test when you put your ear to the tank, that STILL does not necessarily mean that the pump is good. Unhook the line going into the fuel filter and do the 3-second test to see if you've got fuel flow coming out of the tank. If no flow or only a trickle, replace the pump. Then hook the filter back up %26amp; check for flow coming OUT of the filter.
Sorry for the long post, I tried to compact it as much as possible, but there are just too many tests needed to get to the bottom of the problem.How can I tell whether I need to replace my fuel pump or fuel filter ('95 Ford Explorer)?fuel pump no doubt..that's why it runs until the pump gets hot then wont start.a bad fuel filter will make your truck sputter but still start.How can I tell whether I need to replace my fuel pump or fuel filter ('95 Ford Explorer)?i had same prob with my saab and it was the pump and if u knocked the petrol tank it would start then cut out so i think it may be your pump has gone.How can I tell whether I need to replace my fuel pump or fuel filter ('95 Ford Explorer)?Is it carburetor or FI? If you want to know if its the pump you can try to hook up a fuel pressure gauge if you can get your hands on it but you should hear the fuel pump activate as soon as you turn the key on the ON position sort of like a buzz try to have some one listen by the tank. But chances are your filter is dirty clogging the fuel port to get to the cylinder.How can I tell whether I need to replace my fuel pump or fuel filter ('95 Ford Explorer)?I just went through the exact same thinking with my jeep last week, This is how went about it. I went for the fuel filter first it was only a $30 gamble but given the age of the car and the miles I had on it it should be replaced anyway so I figured that was money well spent.
Long story short it ultimately was the fuel pump. I called a shop for an estimate and it was $313 for the pump and $200 for labor. So I purchased the entire fuel pump assembly at Advance auto for $230 and with a floor jack and a buddy to help. Within 3 hours I was back on the road. It wasn't hard at all to drop the tank( and it was full ), even had to remove the trailer hitch too. I saved about $283.00 and a tow bill.How can I tell whether I need to replace my fuel pump or fuel filter ('95 Ford Explorer)?OK first you find fuel filter take aloose the end going toward the front of the car , try to start the car if fuel comes out there good then its the fuel pump, If it doesn%26quot;t come out good its probably the fuel filter, you can look at the filter an should be able to c if it%26quot;s dirty.How can I tell whether I need to replace my fuel pump or fuel filter ('95 Ford Explorer)?Thanks for all the details. Every one should be so specific.
First of all try this. Strike the bottom of the fuel tank firmly with something similar to a baseball bat. Now try to start. If it starts, your fuel pump is on its last leg, possibly just giving you its last start. If it doesn't start, have a helper turn the key to the %26quot;on%26quot; position while you listen to the fuel tank after removing the gas cap. It should hum for about three seconds, then shut off. If not, check the relay. It is in the underhood fuse block. It should be labeled.
A fuel filter that has been long neglected could be the cause for a fuel pump failure. After a while, the pump has to work harder and harder to force fuel through the filter, which eventually causes it to burn itself up. Also, using fuel additives is hard on a pump and so is running low on gas. The fuel pump is most efficient when submersed in gas, keeping it running cool and having an unobstructed fuel filter. A fuel filter should be replaced once a year, or every 10-12,000 miles.
