Fuel pump not working

Tiny
ALLEN SAYERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 205,000 MILES
When ignition is in crank position fuel pump will not kick on. When key is turned onto the run position pump will pump fuel for couple seconds. Checked fuses and relays all seem to be good. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Sunday, February 4th, 2018 AT 2:59 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I see the fuel pump is fed from two relays with one relay feeding the other. The circuit opening relay in the driver side j/b behind left kick panel is fed from the efi or f-htr relay in the engine room j/b located left front under hood.
It is fed from the ignition fuse in the instrument panel junction block, located left side of dash.
So, remove that circuit opening relay and test the spots in the empty socket for voltage. The same one that has voltage for the first two seconds when the key is first turned to run will be the same one that has to be hot when cranking the engine over. If it is not, make sure that ignition fuse is hot with the key on start.
If on the other hand the circuit opening relay spot is hot with the key on start, then the problem has to be with grounding that circuit opening relay and that is done by the ecm, most likely from a signal from the crankshaft position sensor telling the computer that the engine is turning over. So if that is the case first try seeing if there are any trouble codes stored in the ECM or just try a new crankshaft position sensor.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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Thank you, I will check ignition fuse. I have checked both relays and the EFI fuse. I also tried running power straight to the fuel pump, and it will run, but still no start. Would this possibly be a symptom of a crankshaft position sensor? Only trouble code stored was an EVAP trouble code but it has been in the ECM for couple years. Thanks for your help!
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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It is possible a faulty crankshaft position sensor would also cause a no spark. Does your scan tool read cranking rpm's, if so see if you get a cranking rpm of around 100 rpm or so, if not then you should suspect a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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I have a good spark, just no fuel pump during crank.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Normally you will not have the pump on during cranking. The system should turn the pump on for about two seconds as soon as the key is turned on. Then when you crank the engine the pump will not turn on until the ECM receives a signal that the rpm's are increasing from cranking speed.
If you have bypassed that and the pump was running but the car still did not start you will want to check the actual fuel pressure in the system. Spec is 44-50 psi. A bad regulator or worn pump may drop the pressure enough that it will not run.
A way you could test quick would be to shoot some engine starting fluid into the intake. If it tries to run then you have a pump or injector issue.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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I should not have said pump runs during crank. I meant the only time pump runs is after cranking. Have tried the starting fluid, car will run a few seconds. Have changed fuel pump but not regulator. My scan tool does not read cranking rpm's. But when the pump is powered straight from battery, should the car start?
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Not if it is not creating enough pressure or the injectors are not being activated.

Easy way to test that is to pull a connector off an injector and hook a test light up and see if it flashes during cranking.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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I checked injectors with test light. One side of the plug lights up when key is turned onto run position and during crank, but dosent flash during crank.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Did you connect the test light across the connector or connect it to ground and probed each wire? You need to connect it in place of the injector. One side will have power with the key on, the other side will be switched to ground through the computer.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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Not sure on how to connect it in place of injector. I just stuck test light in both sides of plug and connected test light wire to ground on battery.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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That is what I thought. Easiest way would be to connect the test light to the battery positive post. Then gently probe the connector pin that did not light up when you tested. Now crank the engine. The light should flash if you have injector pulse.

Or go to a parts store that has loaner tools and borrow a set of Noid lights. Select the proper one and plug it in. It will flash if you have injector pulses.

While you are there you could also borrow a fuel pressure gauge and verify that as well.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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I bought a fuel pressure gauge just to be sure, theres not pressure cause pumps not kicking on
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Does it come on when you first turn the key to on? If not check the relay as indicated above.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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Nope, fuel pump does not come on when key is turned to run position. It only comes on after car is cranked. I have checked both relays and fuses associated with fuel pump. I'm thinking they are good, I can feel them click when key is turned to run position and if I remove either one of them, pump WONT run after car is cranked. Thanks for any help
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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OK, So the engine will try to run on starting fluid BUT you don't have the initial pump prime but the pump does come on if you crank the engine, but the pump doesn't keep running. Is that a correct summary?
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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Yes, that's exactly how it does! But I have run power straight to the pump, it will run but car still wont start.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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So the computer is not seeing the engine crank over or you are losing power to the computer system somewhere. I would start by checking the circuit open and EFI relays. Here is a guide and the engine wiring diagram o you can see how the system works.

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

Does the ignition have spark?

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

Here are the relay locations (below)

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
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I will post any results. Thanks for the help. Is it possible the ECM has went bad?
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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O yes it is very possible.
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Thursday, October 15th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM

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