Fuel Problems, don't know where to start

[Ryan Roundy]

Broke down on the way to work last night in my '96 discovery. Pulled up to a gas station, still had about 1/2 a tank, but as I pulled up to the pump it died, which was very weird. I fuelled it up, and it wouldn't start again.

The fuel tank registers empty, even though it's full, which leads me to beleive it may be a problem with the fuel pump, or it's wiring. At the moment, when I turn on the ignition, I don't hear the fuel pump going. If I leave the ignition on for a while, it will sometimes have a little fuel in the line, and start momentarily, then die again, but most of teh time no fuel pressure at the fuel rail.

Unfortunately I had a simular problem about a year ago, and replaced the fuel pump at that time and it didn't fix it. In fact, we couldn't figure it out then. I went out of town for a week, and when I got home my Mom told me she had borrowed the rover several times. I was surprised it had even started, and she said it had ran fine. We couldn't figure out what happened to make it run again, but didn't have a single problem till now.

In the last several weeks, it will suddenly temporarily loose power when running, but just for a second and then it has full power again. I checked the codes, but didn't get any.

I'm not sure where to start, I don't want to replace the fuel pump again, expecially where I'm not so sure it's the problem. Is there anything I can do to check the fuel pump? I did check the connection to it and it looks good, clean, and rust free. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can't afford to take it in, and would rather fix the issue myself if I can.

Thanks,

Ryan

[Badger1]

Fuel pressure regulator bad/ going bad? Does it hold pressure in the fuel system when off, or does it lose pressure. Hell what kind of pressure is the system reading while your trucks running. All that should tell you something. Also maybe check the vaccum line to the fuel pressure regulator, might be cracked unless you already replaced it. It's weird that everyone(ok not everyone, but alot of people) are having fuel system related problems.

[Disco Mike]

First thing I would suggest would be to verify power to the fuel pump, is the fuse OK, more importantly is your relay over heating? You can overheat the system by have a dirty fuel filter, how long has it beeen since it was changed.
I am concerned the your fuel guage is not working, again need to check the power to the pump, no power no fuel signal to the guage.
Mike

[Ryan Roundy]

I last replaced the fuel filter a year ago when I was having these troubles then. I'll replace it again. I checked all the contacts to the fuel pump as I turned on the ignition with a test light, and it never lit up.

So, with no power to the fuel pump, I checked the fuse, which is good, but tried replacing it anyways. So I'm guessing the problem lies in the fuel relay, or a short in the wiring itself. Can anyone tell me where the fuel pump relay is located?

Thanks,

Ryan

[Badger1]

Under the hood passenger side kinda above the shock tower for 96 and newer. The 95's and back not sure. If it is the relay, check for corrosion, might be why yours is going out here and there.

[Ryan Roundy]

Found the relay and replaced it. I'm now getting power to the fuel pump, but the fuel pump still isn't working. Is it possible that a bad relay can cause the fuel pump to go bad as well?

Thanks again,

Ryan

[Ryan Roundy]

The fuel pump is good, I tried swapping pumps with my other disco, and found teh fuel pump to be good, so the problem lies elsewhere. I'm trying to trace the wiring, and was wondering if anyone knows where the grounds are.

Ryan

[Ryan Roundy]

Finally figured it out. It was a short in the ground wire. What a bugger. I hate electrical issues.
Thanks guys,

Ryan

[9dawgs]

Originally Posted by Ryan Roundy

It was a short in the ground wire.

Good job! What ground wire located where?