When you know the fault in your car and know how to repair it, it saves you from waiting for hours for the mechanic. That also tells you how much you know about your vehicle!
Oftentimes the main function of the car needs assistance for secondary approach. Therefore, it’s important to know how the internal machinery works. For example the fuel pipe relay is the central part of the fuel injection system.
However there are times when it gets faulty or malfunctioned for whatever reason.
So, knowing the proper steps for bypassing the fuel pump relay is what makes or breaks the deal. Sometimes if you mishandle the fuel pump relay it can be dangerous as well as expensive to repair.
If you have decided to bypass the fuel pump and rely on your own, this post is going to be a helpful read.
Fuel Pump Relay Work
If I say fuel pump is the car function as a heart work in the human body it won’t be an exaggerated statement! The fuel pump pumps the fuel that is needed for the internal combustion engine ICU. It works powered by the ignition and/or powertrain control module (PCM).
For combustion, fuel pump relay is made to ensure ideal supply. In vehicles or cars, the fuel pumps usually malfunction when the electrical component (fuel pump) does not work. If it has stopped working, here is how you bypass the fuel pump relay.
Before you bypass the fuel pump relay it’s wise to know the reasons behind it. Usually, bypassing the car fuel pump relay comes handy when you want to add more performance to the electrical system of the car. However, it’s a short-term solution to keep up with running cars.
Safety Precautions for Bypassing Fuel Pump Relay
Before you dive into the process of bypassing the fuel pump relay on the car, make sure the safety measure will save your vehicle from getting irreversible damage.
For instance, remove the battery and disconnect the negative ends. Also relocate the car to the safe place area and switch off the engine to avoid electrical shock. It will prevent sudden shocks that cause defects in the car components.
Tool and material to get:
- Solder
- Lighter
- Nut driver
- Screwdriver
- Pair of scissors
- Soldering gun
- Two screwdrivers
- Soldering machine
- Single jumper wire
- Three-jumper wire
- Electrical insulation tape
- 10 mm socket wrench or socket ratchet set
How to Bypass Fuel Pump Relay
1. Unplug fuel pump
Unplug the fuel pump relay. You will find it right under the vehicle hood into the power distribution center/relay box or TIPPM plastic box. There will be fuel pump pins that are inside the terminal connected to the parts to the other end.
2. Use the copper wire
Now use the small diameter copper wire 4 to 5 inch length and join the terminals. You need to strip the insulation at each end of the copper wire. It should be about 1/2 inch size before connecting
Bypass the fuel pump
In order to bypass the fuel pump relay use the single cord and connect it to the terminals corresponding to contact switch pins viz. 87 and 30. Use Pins 3 and 5 for some vehicles’ fuel pump relay.
If you have done it right, you should hear the fuel pump priming or buzzing sound after connecting the terminals with jumper wire.
Is it safe if I bypass the fuel pump relay?
Yes, it is totally safe to bypass the fuel pump relay if your vehicle is in need of. The fuel pump relay is there to offer voltages for pumping the relays. If the voltages are not enough, your car will stop working. So bypassing it is safe. However, it’s always better to get professional help or assistance if you are doing it for the first time.
4 Signs of Bad Fuel Pump Relay
How do you know if the fuel pump relay has gone bad? This question certainly pops into one’s mind who is dealing with a stalled car. There are few signs that tell you about a bad fuel pump relay. If you see them it’s about time for bypassing or maybe taking your vehicle to the mechanic.
Engine won’t start
If the fuel pump relay has gone bad, there won’t be any power to supply the fuel pump. As mentioned above the fuel pump sends voltages, so if it is faulty, the engine won’t turn on.
Related: My Car Starts Sometimes and Sometimes It Doesn’t
2. Silent fuel pump
The pin-drop silent from the fuel pump is now dead. The working fuel pump relay should have a priming sound. Usually the fuel pump starts priming for 3 seconds after the car starts. So if you don’t hear any noise it means it has gone bad.
3. Constantly priming
Conversely, if the fuel pump is continuously priming it is not a good sign either. The constant priming will drain the battery until it completely becomes discharged/dead. Therefore, the vehicle won’t start when you turn it on
The engine light
When the fuel pump relay is faulty, there won’t be any fuel pressure in the supply for obvious reasons. So another sign for figuring out if the fuel pump relay has gone bad is you need to see the CEL light on the dash. If it glows it means there are issues pertaining to the engine component.
Other Signs include
- High mileage
- Too much starting time
- The car dies while driving
Conclusion
Fuel pump relay in cars is mostly so sure the ideal fuel follows to the engine. Therefore, its odd performance will leave the car starting problems. Your car will stall due to a power cut if the fuel pump is bad.
Luckily it’s safe and easy to bypass the fuel pump relay that we discussed in this article. Remember the performance of fuel pump relay is crucial but you need to seek professional help if you have never known about vehicle’s mechanics.
FAQs
Is it safe if I bypass the fuel pump relay?
Yes, it is totally safe to bypass the fuel pump relay if your vehicle is in need of. The fuel pump relay is there to offer voltages for pumping the relays. If the voltages are not enough, your car will stop working. So bypassing it is safe. However, it’s always better to get professional help or assistance if you are doing it for the first time.
What can cause failure in a fuel pump?
Fuel pump failure in the car can be caused for multiple reasons such as electrical faults, contamination, worn-out components or durability concerns. In contamination, dirt, moisture and bad gas is the main culprit. Usually, the fault in fuel pumps, injectors and pressure regulators needs replacement on these components.
Can I start my car with a bad fuel pump?
In most cases, you cannot start your car with a bad fuel pump. In case you do start the car, the engine will not spark to ignite anything. Also there can be a fire risk which can cause further damage to any of the components in the vehicle.
Therefore, rush to the mechanic when you notice a bad fuel pump. Driving with a bad fuel pump will only cause damage and chances of engine fire are high.
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