1981 Spider 2000 Fuel Pump not working

[gofiat81]

Just put a new fuel pump in but still no fuel getting to injectors. Tried moving the lever on the AFM on can hear the pump come on but nothing. Disconnected the fuel line going to fuel filter but still nothing?? Nothing coming out of pump. Any Thoughts?

[SunnySideUp]

We'll need a bit more info to help determine what could be the issue. At this point, it could be any number of things.

• Have you confirmed that the pump is installed correctly?
  What's the history on the fuel tank and the fuel line to the pump?
  Is the fuel pickup line/screen in the tank damaged?
  Has the fuel tank ever needed to be replaced?
  Has the fuel in it sat for a long time?
  Do you have a raw fuel smell in the trunk?
  Are the hoses from the tank damaged in any way?

Let us know what you find.

[81SPIDERMATT]

wires on pump backwards

[rlux4]

The first thing to check is whether or not the power is getting to the pump. With the key in the "run" position prop open the AFM flap and then put a 12V test light on the wires at the fuel pump. With a new pump chances are you're not getting power to the pump. If that's the case you'll need to find out which component isn't working. Contact inside AFM; inline fuse, keyed power to the dual relay, dual relay, ground connection for pump, wires.
Ron

[gofiat81]

I am getting power to the pump. I moved the AFM flap and I can hear the pump come on for a few seconds. I will check when I get back home if I wired it backwards. Not sure that would make the pump come on?

The first thing to check is whether or not the power is getting to the pump. With the key in the "run" position prop open the AFM flap and then put a 12V test light on the wires at the fuel pump. With a new pump chances are you're not getting power to the pump. If that's the case you'll need to find out which component isn't working. Contact inside AFM; inline fuse, keyed power to the dual relay, dual relay, ground connection for pump, wires.
Ron

[rlux4]

What makes the fuel pump run; When you turn the key to start 12V is sent to the dual relay. When the engine cranks air is taken in on the intake stroke, this air open the flap in the AFM. When the flap opens a contact inside closes and this completes a circuit that closes a relay in the dual relay. This allows 12V to go from the dual relay via a green with black stripe wire to the fuel pump. The fuel pump already has a ground wire at it, so at that point the fuel pump should run. If you turn off the engine, or it quits running (as in an accident for instance) the flap closes and the contacts open so that the dual relay doesn't get that signal, the fuel pump side relay opens and the fuel pump stops running.
Hope this makes sense and answers your question.
Ron

[81SPIDERMATT]

yes the fuel pump will make noise when wires are hooked up wrong

[gofiat81]

The pump is installed correctly. The green wire is on the positive side of the pump. When I disconnect the hose from the tank to the pump the gas pours out. Tank is not damaged. I don't have a clue what is wrong? Any help would be great!

We'll need a bit more info to help determine what could be the issue. At this point, it could be any number of things.

• Have you confirmed that the pump is installed correctly?
  What's the history on the fuel tank and the fuel line to the pump?
  Is the fuel pickup line/screen in the tank damaged?
  Has the fuel tank ever needed to be replaced?
  Has the fuel in it sat for a long time?
  Do you have a raw fuel smell in the trunk?
  Are the hoses from the tank damaged in any way?

Let us know what you find.

[ga.spyder]

What kind of pump.I bought a brand new Autozone ElGenerico and it didn't work.Brand new,right out of the box! I splurged for a proper Bosch,no issues.

[spider2081]

I think you have to remove the pump and check it out of the car. Keep in mind the danger of sparks and fuel. I would connect a length of tubing to the input and another to the output. Put about 1/2 gallon of gas in a gallon can stick both tubes in the can and power the pump from a battery. If you get no flow its the pump. I purchase clear tubing at Home Depot so I can see the fuel move in the tubing. The pump needs to be held in a vice or clamp of some sort. Connect the test wires to the pump and then touch them to the battery a safe distance from the fuel.

[81SPIDERMATT]

pull the hose off the outlet side of the pump ... does gas still come out ? .... put power to the pump does the gas stop ?

[gofiat81]

Getting about 9 volts to the pump. I assume you need 12 volts for the pump to come on? Any reason why I am only getting 9 volts?

[spider2081]

Did you measure the voltage across the pump terminals while it is running ? If you did your problem could be the voltage source or the ground.
One voltage check is to measure the voltage from the pumps positive terminal to a good ground near the pump. This tells you how much voltage is getting to the pump only. Measuring between the pump terminals tells you what the pump sees to run. Example if the ground in the trunk is making a poor connection the check across the terminals tells you something is wrong because the voltage is too low. This with the check on the positive terminal to ground tells you if the problem is the voltage source or the ground.

I had a problem with my inline fuse for the fuel pump. It is located behind the fuse panel. The inside was all corroded and the fuse fell apart when I opened it. I replaced the fuse and fuse holder to fix the problem.

[gofiat81]

Thank You for helping me finally get my Spider running. Had a bad ground and also a very clogged fuel filter. Running great now!