after engine cleaning..won't start..fuel pump relay?

fongo · 07-05-2002, 10:24 PM

Alright fellas! Silly me, went out and degreased my entire engine yesterday and then hosed it off with water. Everything was fine. I started the car (once) an it ran fine, and I let it warm up to evaporate and dry out the engine.
To my dismay, today I went back to turn the car on,,,and it won't start. I don't hear that normal "whining" coming from the back of the car, which I presume is the fuel pump. I get juice and crank, but it doesn't start. SO....based on all the posts I read so far, I assume it's either:
1. fuel pump itself (hmm..I doubt it)
2. fuel pump relay (I suspect this)
If it is the relay, how do I test it to make sure it is? On the 93 5.0 I hear the relay is on the passenger side fenderwell. Can someone comfirm this?
The bottom line is: could I have "wetted" or damaged the fuel pump relay while rinsing the engine off? or is this really a defective fuel pump.
I need some recommendations or suggestions on how to go about this dilemma.
Thanks everyone! whaagggh! I want my stang back on the road.
happy holidays!

srv1 · 07-05-2002, 10:40 PM

for some reason i am thinking their is still moister in your distributor cap?

huh...

blueneonman1 · 07-05-2002, 11:20 PM

Yes I say check the dist. cap too. I washed my engine one time, go to start it up and it ran like crap. There was lots of water in the cap. Do you hear the starter click or not>?

fiveohpatrol · 07-05-2002, 11:41 PM

The fuel pump relay is under your driver's seat.

PKRWUD · 07-06-2002, 12:09 AM

if you used to hear the fuel pump for the first two seconds after you turn the key on, but don't now, then it could very well be the relay. The first thing I would do is to ground the fuel pump wire at the self test connector. Looking at the connector, it is the terminal represented by the "x". The other terminals are "-", and "O" is just to fill space:

OO - - OO
O - - - x O

Ground that terminal, and try to start it.

Take care,
-Chris

Maroon 5.0 LX · 07-06-2002, 06:47 AM

Pull the distributor cap and check for moisture. Maybe/probably some moisture got in there when you hosed it down.

After you ran the engine, the heat cause this moisture to turn into a mist which will seem to expand inside the cap and short out the ignition.

You may have to pull the plug wires off and dry the plugs and wires, as the same thing happens at the plugs.

fongo · 07-06-2002, 01:58 PM

Thanks everyone. I do get crank, it just doesn't start. That's why I suspect the fuel relay...but I'll check the dist cap too.
I heard for the 93GT the relay was in the passanger side fender in the engine. If it's underneath the driver's seat, do I have to remove the seat or is it easy to pull out?
Thanks everyone!

07-05-2002, 10:24 PM	#1
fongo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Farmingdale, NY Posts: 139	after engine cleaning..won't start..fuel pump relay? Alright fellas! Silly me, went out and degreased my entire engine yesterday and then hosed it off with water. Everything was fine. I started the car (once) an it ran fine, and I let it warm up to evaporate and dry out the engine. To my dismay, today I went back to turn the car on,,,and it won't start. I don't hear that normal "whining" coming from the back of the car, which I presume is the fuel pump. I get juice and crank, but it doesn't start. SO....based on all the posts I read so far, I assume it's either: 1. fuel pump itself (hmm..I doubt it) 2. fuel pump relay (I suspect this) If it is the relay, how do I test it to make sure it is? On the 93 5.0 I hear the relay is on the passenger side fenderwell. Can someone comfirm this? The bottom line is: could I have "wetted" or damaged the fuel pump relay while rinsing the engine off? or is this really a defective fuel pump. I need some recommendations or suggestions on how to go about this dilemma. Thanks everyone! whaagggh! I want my stang back on the road. happy holidays! __________________ 1993 GT, MAC Fenderwell Cold Air Induction; Accel dist.,Splitfire plugs, BBK: 1 5/8 unequal length shorties, hi flow H-pipe w/ cats; Flowmasters 2 chamber American Thunder catback system, Motorsports 3-core radiator, 180º thermostat, BBK adj. clutch quad...the rest is bone stock!..but more mods to come!!

07-05-2002, 10:40 PM	#2
srv1 Get down..... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Room 103 Posts: 2,095	for some reason i am thinking their is still moister in your distributor cap? huh... __________________ Cobra brakes are on! Finally..... ------------------------------------------------

07-05-2002, 11:20 PM	#3
blueneonman1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 208	Yes I say check the dist. cap too. I washed my engine one time, go to start it up and it ran like crap. There was lots of water in the cap. Do you hear the starter click or not>? __________________ Blue Streak - '95 5.0L Mustang GT convertible \| Saleen heat extractor fiberglass hood \| K&N custom CAI \| Taylor Spiro Pros \| Walbro 255lph pump \| Kirban AFPR \| MSD Cap/Rotor/Blaster TFI \| 2 chamber flows w/ dumps \| BBK LTs \| BBK short h-pipe \| No smog or EGR \| NOS 75hp dry kit w/ heater & purge \| Battery in trunk\| Chassis Eng. subframes \| Custom 6-pt rollbar \| King Cobra clutch \| Steeda adj. clutch cable w/ double hook quad. & firewall adj. \| B&M Ripper shifter \| FMS C springs \| Pro3i C/C plates \| Lakewood 70/30 struts \| Comp. Eng. 3-way shocks \| Chassis Eng. LCAs \| Fan switch \| 180* thermo FMS\| Kumho Ecsta 255/40's all around \| Coolest neon lighting on a Mustang EVER! Don't find yourself in front of me...my brakes SUCK! saving up for a complete Cobra package Homepage: http://www16.brinkster.com/blueneonman/ Best 1/4 time: 13.5 @ 101 Best 1/8 time: 8.6 @ 84

07-05-2002, 11:41 PM	#4
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	The fuel pump relay is under your driver's seat. __________________ NMRA O/C 9516 NA pumpgas stickshift 347 10.65@125.6, 6.73@100, 1.41 60ft

07-06-2002, 12:09 AM	#5
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	if you used to hear the fuel pump for the first two seconds after you turn the key on, but don't now, then it could very well be the relay. The first thing I would do is to ground the fuel pump wire at the self test connector. Looking at the connector, it is the terminal represented by the "x". The other terminals are "-", and "O" is just to fill space: OO - - OO O - - - x O Ground that terminal, and try to start it. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

07-06-2002, 06:47 AM	#6
Maroon 5.0 LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 471	Pull the distributor cap and check for moisture. Maybe/probably some moisture got in there when you hosed it down. After you ran the engine, the heat cause this moisture to turn into a mist which will seem to expand inside the cap and short out the ignition. You may have to pull the plug wires off and dry the plugs and wires, as the same thing happens at the plugs. __________________ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van '06 Mustang V-6, 5 speed

07-06-2002, 01:58 PM	#7
fongo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Farmingdale, NY Posts: 139	Thanks everyone. I do get crank, it just doesn't start. That's why I suspect the fuel relay...but I'll check the dist cap too. I heard for the 93GT the relay was in the passanger side fender in the engine. If it's underneath the driver's seat, do I have to remove the seat or is it easy to pull out? Thanks everyone! __________________ 1993 GT, MAC Fenderwell Cold Air Induction; Accel dist.,Splitfire plugs, BBK: 1 5/8 unequal length shorties, hi flow H-pipe w/ cats; Flowmasters 2 chamber American Thunder catback system, Motorsports 3-core radiator, 180º thermostat, BBK adj. clutch quad...the rest is bone stock!..but more mods to come!!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
electrical issues with fuel pump and relay circuit	Conman	Windsor Power	5	10-30-2003 02:19 PM
Fuel pump will not stop running	MustangGT1990	Windsor Power	7	01-29-2003 10:41 PM
Speed Secret # 3	jim_howard_pdx	Windsor Power	13	11-09-2002 10:35 AM
91 bronco 302 fuel pump question	jerrys84	Windsor Power	1	10-18-2002 11:50 AM
Electrical problem..HELP!!! Fuel Pump	intercooled LX	Windsor Power	0	02-21-2002 11:43 PM