Fuel Pump Woooes

[Energy]

I just picked up an '89 Grand Prix (3.1) from a friend. It has issues and one is the fuel pump. It was replaced about one year ago but is not working now.

 

I understand it is possible to damage the fuel pump if you run them out of gas to many times.

Some else told me there is a low fuel safety switch or breaker that will shut off the pump in the event it should run out of gas. They also said the switch can be reset but I have no idea where it is.

[Crazy K]

running out of fuel can damage it, yes.

is there a rest switch? not that i'm aware of. Check the fuse and relay under the hood to make sure they are good.... and I've used a mulimeter to test the continuity of the fuel pump circuit, by crawling beneath the car and locating the plug that feeds the pump... It is a 4 prong plug. (i don't have the color codes right now)

 

btw, does the pump make any noise when you turn the car key to on? You don'e have to start the engine, you just have the turn the key on, and it should operate for about 2 seconds....

[White93z34]

if he used a "master" brand pump or a few other generic ones i can see it failing after a year. when you replace it, use a delco pump.

[jeremy]

hope that don't find that the lines that need replacement because they are so horribly rusted

[5speedz34]

running out of fuel can damage it, yes.

is there a rest switch?

 

I'm assuming you mean "test" switch? If so then there is under the relay, you need to jump it to the aux. post, or some other 12v source to run the pump. If the pump runs it's the relay.

 

So in short check the relay also.