Fuel pump not working

05ACURATL

MEMBER
1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
1.8L
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

This car listed above is a DX model. Following an incident, the turn signal light fell off and the wire that goes to the turn signal light was cut off leaving the end of it an exposed bare metal wire. Drove the car home without a problem. One day during winter, I tried to tuck the exposed wire inside the fender (so it wouldn't get wet from rain) and the wire accidentally touched the fender causing a small spark. The car has been parking for long time. Recently, I tried to start it it didn't start. I didn't hear the fuel pump prime (it was fine before the wire got shorted to the fender). Can someone provide guidance on what might be causing the fuel pump not to work after the short and how to fix it? Thanks

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

I doubt the wire shorting caused this no start. Even if it blew a fuse you would have an issue with the lighting and not the engine starting. I imagine the sitting for a while caused it. So we need to check fuel pressure and for spark.

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

We need to check the fuel pressure and for spark using these guides as well. Once we know what the pressure is we will have a better idea where to go.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Then we need to pull a spark plug and hold it against the block then crank the engine to see if there is spark. Let's start with this and go from there. Thanks