'96 Disco - Fuel pump wont run

[Reed]

I have a '96 Disco with no apparent power to the fuel pump. The truck was running well when I parked it. A day later it would not start. I have tracked the problem to the fuel pump not turning on. I have checked the following.

- Fuel Pump (with 12VDC applied to it it works.)
- Fuel Filter (put on new one but old one was not plugged.)
- Fuses (all fuel pump fuses are good.)
- Power to the fuse boxes 12VDC on both sides of the fuses.)
- Fuel Pump Relay Module (replaced with a known working unit) Have not yet checked the power to or from the module.
- Gas in the tank (checked when checking the fuel pump)

I have heard that there are some connectors that may be involved but don't know where they might be.
If starting fluid is sprayed in the intake the engine wile start and run for a few seconds.

This is my daily driver, and I really need to get it fixed. Any help would be gladly accepted.

 

[fishEH]

Pull the wiring plug at the pump. Turn the key to position II and quickly run back there and check for power. If you get power then the connection at the pump is crappy. I myself have had really bad luck with the connectors on top of the fuel pump. Sometimes jiggling the plug on top of the pump will get it to run. Also check the harness connector at the top of the drivers rear wheel well.

 

[Reed]

Pull the wiring plug at the pump. Turn the key to position II and quickly run back there and check for power. If you get power then the connection at the pump is crappy. I myself have had really bad luck with the connectors on top of the fuel pump. Sometimes jiggling the plug on top of the pump will get it to run. Also check the harness connector at the top of the drivers rear wheel well.

Thanks for the quick come back.

I checked the fuel pump connector, no power there

I will check the wiring harness connector first chance I get this weekend. Thanks for telling me its location.

 

[ptschram]

No, no, no!

Rig your trusty test-light and roach clips so that the test light is visible from the driver's seat. While watching test-light, turn key to on.

I'm tired, it's been a long day. Search this site for fuel pump failure, testing, etc. It's been covered over and over before.

FWIW-I have the harness that runs from the rear wheelwell to the pump, but they aren't cheap. I might have a fuel pump as well, I'll try to remember to look.

 

[pdxrovermech]

when its not a full on pump failure its almost always the connection in the driver's side rear wheel well.

 

[ptschram]

when its not a full on pump failure its almost always the connection in the driver's side rear wheel well.

If it's not the connector on the top of the pump, if it's not the harness, if it's not the relay, if it's not the ECU...

C'mon Neil, we can not jump to conclusions, especially when helping folks who don't know how to do it in the first place.

Every time I jump to a conclusion, I trip myself (even though I still speak with a "voice of authority" as my wife would say )

(I referred a prospective Rover owner to you guys and Doug's the other day.)

 

[p m]

man.... it brings up the memories of six hours of trying to t-shoot the fuel pump problem in a 95 RRC in a parking lot of Cracker Barrel in Yuma, AZ, in July of 2010.

The answer is... look into the Rave Electrical Troubleshooting Manual, and see how many parts are between the battery and the fuel pump. And check every fucking one of them.

 

[Reed]

I want to thank eveyone who responded to my desparate pleas. Both P.T. and P.M. had the best advice. Anywhere along the route from the battery to the fuel pump must be considered a failure point. How many of those points actually needed servicing, I'll never know, but I did each one in turn.

The last place I checked was the rear harness connector. The one often described as under the drivers rear wheel well. Following that description, I had a hard time finding it. On my '96 the connector(s) turned out to reside quite a bit more inboard from the wheel well on the other side of the frame above the rear axle. Since it was the last faliure point I serviced it is at least a major part of the problem. Of course once the engine was able to start I considered the problem solved (Hope, hope...)

Thanks to all for the steady handed advice.