Fuel pump not turning on

Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE RAM
  • 5.9L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 238,000 MILES
Having an issue with my fuel pump. The truck shut off on me while driving about 4 weeks ago. When I turn the key to the on position or try to start it, the fuel pump doesn’t cut on at all but when checking with a multi-meter, I have power to the plug. The truck tries to turn over but nothing. Need help please!
Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 4:52 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Hi,

If you have power to the pump, is there a good ground? If there is, then the pump is bad. Do me a favor, take a look at the attached pic. It shows the wiring connector to the pump. Confirm there is continuity to ground in terminal 1.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Replaced the fuel pump already and yes, continuous power to it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Hi,

What about ground? Have you checked for continuity to ground? If you have power and know the pump is good, then there must be a ground issue.

If you run a 12v jumper wire to the pump, will it run?

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
What is the safe way to run a 12v jump wire for the pump?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
I have a long wire that I first secure at the pump+. Then, when I'm certain there is no chance for a bad connection, I run it right from the battery. If you have any leaks or fumes from gas, don't do it.

Did you confirm ground?

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Yes, I have good ground as far as the multi-meter is showing. Just no power to the relay output. Should I put a toggle switch between the pump and battery? And also, am I Hooking the 12v wire to the relay output?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Hi,

You have me a bit confused. I thought there was power to the pump. Is that correct?

As far as a toggle switch, I would not recommend it. If there is an accident, the pump will not stop pumping fuel. That isn't a good thing.

Do me a favor. Check to make sure the ASD (auto shut down) relay is good. I attached a pic below of it's location. Also, check fuse 49 in the same box.

Let me know. You may have a faulty integrated power module (IPM). They have several connectors filled with tiny pins that corrode, break, and so on.

Joe
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Good morning. Okay, both fuse and relay are good. When running a jump wire to the battery, where should I tie it in at on the plug?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 16th, 2020 AT 5:57 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Hi,

At the pump module, there should be a dark green wire with a white tracer. Where that plugs into the module is where you should supply power. See the attached pic. (Pic 1)

Also, check the fuse I have in pic 2. It's in the under hood fuse box.

I have a question. You indicated in a prior post that there was power to the pump. Has that changed?

Let me know.
Joe
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 16th, 2020 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The fuse is good.

Also, yes there’s still power and showing good readings to all wires except the green and white wire.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, August 17th, 2020 AT 3:33 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
I attached a pic below that shows the relay for the fuel pump. The one you indicate has no power is what powers the pump. Go back to the relay and check if there to make sure the wire doesn't have power.

If you look at the pic, the brown wire goes to the PCM and the light green/black wire is fuse power from the ignition switch. Here is a link that explains how to test a relay. Also, keep in mind that the ASD relay will shut down power to the pump as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

You can do that, switch the really with a known good one with the same part number, or take a jumper wire and jump power from fuse 44 to the dark green wire. See the diagram for pin numbers. If you do that and the pump still gets no power, then suspect the dark green wire is broken at some point.

Let me know.
Joe
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 17th, 2020 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay. So now I have power to the pump, the green and white wire has to be bad somewhere throughout the wiring because I ran a jump wire in place of that one and it powered right up. But now, all it’s doing is spinning over but not cranking up. What could that possibly be?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 18th, 2020 AT 7:14 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Check to see if there is spark to the plugs.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Also, did you check the sad relay I mentioned? ASD stands for auto shut down.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 18th, 2020 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
There’s spark to the plugs and I swapped the ASD relay with the A/C clutch relay which I know works and still got nothing. It’s spinning over but won’t catch, even with spraying fluid in the throttle body.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Okay, if it won't even try to start with starting fluid and you have spark, that is a concern. Did anything happen that may have caused a timing issue? I know it happened when you were driving. Were there any strange noises or anything you can think of?

I have to be honest. If you have spark and it won't try to start with starting fluid, something is off. If you have spark, fuel, compression, and the correct ignition timing, the engine has no choice but to run.

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL MITCHELL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
When it was running, it just shut off. No noises, no warning signs or stuttering.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,068 POSTS
Are you sure there is spark to the plugs? Also, is the spark a hot blue snapping spark or is it white or orange in color?

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 21st, 2020 AT 9:31 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Fuel System Fuel Pump Content

Fuel Pump Replacement
VIDEO
Fuel Pump Replacement
In­struc­tional re­pair video
Fuel Pump
GUIDE
Fuel Pump
Fuel Pump Fea­tures
VIEW MORE