ok guyz,

so i have had this no-start problem exzactly twice. Ignition OK, spark, everythin OK, fuel pump does not kick in. Tow it to local friendly mechanic, guy cleans fuel pump relay, car starts and runs fine.

two days later, supermarket parking lot, same symptoms. took it to same mechanic, who cleans connectors and stuff, car runs fine. for some weird reason, he didnt charge me a cent for that either time. and insisted on not replacing the relay which i found weird.

now, it died for the third time (after 2 weeks of working purrferctly), with my girlfriend being stuck at a Western Mass. service plaza, dammit! should i just REPLACE the damn thing finally? or any other ideas what can it be? im PRETTY sure its fuel pump related.... i hope its the relay and not the pump itself....

David

OK, I dont know how did I manage to screw up jumpering the fuses for the first time. BUT! For the second time it worked fine - to the amazement of bystanders at the service plaza. I already uninstalled the old fuel pump relay, will be receiving a new one from FCP Groton tomorrow - everything is great!!! THank you all for your help!

David

Resolder the relay.

I know for most resoldering works, but not for my relay. I replaced it and have a spare, as well as a jumper wire.

You can use a jumper to bypass the relay long enough to get her home. Connect the jumper from fuse 4 to fuse 6 (1985-1993)and the pumps will run if the relay is at fault. Older cars are different fuses don't know the numbers- just jumper the fuse that runs the prepump to the fuse that runs the main pump.

Be aware that with the jumper in place the pumps will run even with the key out so be sure to disconnect the jumper when the car isn't running.

Chances are your relay doesn't need "cleaned" it needs to have the joints resoldered. I am assuming your mechanic cleaned the fuses terminals while he was cleaning things.

Randy

Thanks. At this moment, I borrowed somebodys car and took her home, but the problem is still there. So how do I jumper the fuses? Sorry I never did this before. I know where fuse 4 and 6 are.... but what is the procedure to follow?

Thanks a lot,

David

Simply use a wire to connect the right side of one fuse to the other. I make up a 12 inch length of wire with an alligator clip on each end and carry in each of our cars- along with a spare fuel injection relay.

Randy

Randy: What perfect timing. I just came home to fix my mom's '89 245 with 116k. It died on her last week. I figured it was the fuel pump relay and brought along with one out a fine running '93. I switched it out and it still didn't work. Puzzled, I checked the board and saw your message. She fired right up. Great tip! My question now, is what does it mean if she runs like that but not with a good relay? Maybe I need to check the fuses again? Many thank, Rob

I am afraid you do have an ECU problem. Being an 89 and having the problem you are experiencing it is probably the 561 ECU (last three digits of the ECU number) I had exactly the same experience with one of my 89's.

What happens is the ECU loses the ability to provide a ground for the fuelpump relay and it will not function. By jumping from fuse four to fuse six you bypass the relay entirely and the car will run when the jumper is in place.

The best replacement for a bad 561 ECU is a 951.

Randy

Randy: Yep, you are correct, sir. I just got finished testing it. Oh well, this experience is leaving me much the wiser. Never really worked on ECU issues. It was bound to happen sometime. Thanks again, for the hot wire tip and ECU advice. Awesome information. Do you know anyone selling rebuilt 951's? All the best, Rob

You can re-solder the board on the relay, this is a known problem. If you can't get it soldered you will need to replace it. Most of us carry a spare relay in the glove box just in case. Good luck Dan
--
85 245 M46 194K, 92 245 A70 122K

Resoldering mine didn't cure it. I bought two, one is in the glove box

If I recall right, you have a Kjet car. That Fuel Injection relay is not the notorious one, which is the LH version. AFAIK, yours isn't repairable.
--
Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.