Author Topic: fuel pump (Read 7854 times)

RED IS 91 · « **on:** September 09, 2006, 04:26:53 PM »

OK , I need help!!
Coming home today my car sputtered then died.Luckily I coasted into a parking lot .I tried to start it but to no avail . Turned over great but it seemed to not be getting any fuel.Almost started but died a few times .I had my wife bring me some more fuel but that didn't help.
I called AAA and had it towed home.
My Question is this .
When I turn the key on should I hear the fuel pump pumping

Now I hear nothing even when cranking to start .
Before this it seemed to run a little rough but not bad .
How do I check the pump ??
Thanks

Vladi · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2006, 04:44:45 PM »

When you turn the key you should hear a "Bzzzt" sound coming from under the backseat (where the pump is).
The simplest way to test it is to take it out of the tank and check it with a car battery. + to + - to -. If it's good it should work. If you wire it to the battery and it doesn't start try to knock it and see if it works. Even if it works it's best you buy a new/good fuel pump because you never know when/where it will die again.
A friend of mine also with an E30 318iS has had the exact same problem and it was the pump.

thumper3ld · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2006, 06:42:56 PM »

put a voltmeter to the connectors of the fuel pump to make sure you're getting power to the fuel pump. You can also try swapping the fuel pump relay under your hood. Mine had gone bad and I experienced similar symptoms. Then, shortly after that, my fuel pump went bad.

christophbmw · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2006, 12:18:40 AM »

A bad pump will ruin your relay, always replace your relay with your pump, and if your relay goes bad: "heres your sign".

ak96ss · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2006, 02:25:07 AM »

One more vote for the bad pump, I had the exact same symptoms.

You can pull the fuel pump relay and connect a fused, switched wire across the connectors where it plugged in (30 and 87? This is from memory, so check...). Switch on the ignition, and then flip the switch to turn on the pump. You should hear it whirring away.

If it runs, replace the relay. If it doens't, check to make sure you are getting +12V at the pump-side connector. If you have power, replace the pump.

It's easier to hear the pump if you pull the back seat bottom out.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2006, 05:56:39 AM »

Thanks for the help .
I'm going to look at it this morning with my volt meter .
I'll keep ya posted .

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2006, 07:28:50 AM »

OK
I went and put a volt meter on the plug wires at the fuel pump under the back seat .I was reading 11.94 volts at the plug . I suspect I need a new pump.

$ 209 at autohaus
$ 269 at bavauto:eek:
$ 253 at Pelicans

The one at autohaus is a VDO-siemens.
Is that OEM ??
I don't want to put a inferior pump in that will give me trouble later on .

Thanks

dude8383 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2006, 08:14:22 AM »

try bma...but give patrick a call directly! see if he can knock down the price.

ak96ss · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2006, 08:24:59 AM »

I paid $185 from BMA...

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2006, 10:22:33 AM »

$ 224 at bma so I guess I'll go with autohauz .
I've bought from them before ,not as fast as bavauto but cheaper.
Thanks everyone for the help and I'll post again when I get it installed .
Hopefully next weekend .

christophbmw · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2006, 10:53:07 AM »

..............Dont forget to replace your relay to.

thumper3ld · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2006, 11:12:25 AM »

I paid 187 at parts authority with ny tax.

Euro Nation · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2006, 04:03:38 PM »

I went to the local wrecking yard a pulled a pump out of a Ford Contour. Same size and fit as the E30 pump and all I had to do was solder the new plug. I'm a whole $6 into it.

When I do it again for the turbo setup I'll be using a Walbro pump designed for a Camaro... since the pump used in our cars is an AC Delco pump with pretty muchexactly the same design as the Camaro pump... which also means that a $50 parts store pump for a Camaro should work fine for you stock replacement guys.

m42 fan · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2006, 04:06:38 PM »

Quote from: Euro Nation

I went to the local wrecking yard a pulled a pump out of a Ford Contour. Same size and fit as the E30 pump and all I had to do was solder the new plug. I'm a whole $6 into it.

When I do it again for the turbo setup I'll be using a Walbro pump designed for a Camaro... since the pump used in our cars is an AC Delco pump with pretty muchexactly the same design as the Camaro pump... which also means that a $50 parts store pump for a Camaro should work fine for you stock replacement guys.

Awesome. There is nothing better than finding cheap domestic replacements for overpriced foreign parts that do the same job. Nice find!

Brian

///Motorsport · « **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2006, 04:10:52 PM »

Quote from: RED IS 91

The one at autohaus is a VDO-siemens.
Is that OEM ??
I don't want to put a inferior pump in that will give me trouble later on .

Thanks

i wouldnt think VDO/Siemens would be anything but perfect quality. ESPECIALLY considering the said 6 dollar replacement, you shoudlnt worry..

Author Topic: fuel pump (Read 7854 times)

///Motorsport