the functioning of fuel pump
Fuel Pump
A fuel pump and its associated components are vital parts of a car engine's assembly. One particularly important part of the engine fuel delivery assembly, is the fuel pump relay. It is part of the control system of a fuel pump and its failure can lead to start up problems. It helps if you know the major bad fuel relay symptoms which can help you in taking care of the problem in advance.
What is a Fuel Pump Relay?
Before we talk about bad fuel pump relay symptoms, let us understand its function in the car machinery. The relay is a small device covered in plastic covering which has the basic function of controlling operation of fuel pump at ignition and switch off. Also called as a fuel pump relay switch, it triggers on the fuel pump in action when you turn on the ignition switch. It again comes into action when the car engine is powered off to cease the functioning of fuel pump.
The fuel pump action is necessary for the initiation of the engine cycle. Therefore, the fuel pump relay is an important link between ignition system and the fuel pump, in the electrical part of engine assembly. To summarize, fuel pump relay switches the fuel pump on and off at ignition and shut down.
Fuel Pump Relay Location
If you are wondering where the fuel pump is located, then you first need to know what it looks like. The fuel pump relay is covered in a plastic case and has sprockets which act as the connecting mechanism that attaches it to the ignition assembly. The location of the relay may vary according to the car model. The most common fuel pump relay location is underneath the dashboard, near the steering wheel. In some car models, they are located near the firewall of the engine. For those who are unfamiliar with what a firewall is, it is the wall behind engine assembly. Another common location for the fuel pump relay is the fuse box under the car hood.
Faulty Fuel Pump Relay Symptoms
Now that we know about the location and function of the fuel pump relay, let us see what are the signs and symptoms of a fuel pump malfunction. To identify the malfunctioning symptoms of any car part, you must observe its effect on working of connected parts. Every part of the engine assembly is linked to the working of other parts. So bad fuel pump symptoms can be identified by the effect of the relay malfunctioning on connected parts like the fuel pump and the car engine. Here are the prime bad fuel pump relay symptoms:
Engine Goes On a Strike
One of the prime symptoms of a faulty bad fuel pump relay is the engine cranking up but not starting. This points towards a problem with the fuel delivery system and it may be that the fuel pump relay that is the culprit.
Erratic Engine Function and Delayed Start
Erratic functioning of the engine at the start and delay in starting up can be an indication of a faulty fuel pump relay. That is why, if you consistently notice a delay in engine starting, check the fuel pump relay.
Absence of Fuel Pump Working Sound
Once the relay stops functioning, the fuel pump will not switch on and the familiar sound of fuel pump working will not be heard. Ears trained to hear the normal sounds made by the car at start will notice the difference.
Read more on:
- Fuel Pump Problems
- Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump
- Replacing Fuel Pump
So these were the major bad fuel pump relay symptoms that you need to watch out for. Being alert and identifying such symptoms of car problems in advance can save you a lot of money that you would spend in car repairs.
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