fuel pump/ dead battery

[raaizin]

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96 explorer 183k on original fuel pump. Went to start today, battery clicking(battery and alt are fine.) Charge battery and I dont hear pump humming when I start key. I swap relay and check inertia switch. Still not humm. I tap the tank and the pump works when I turn key now. Did fuel pump cause battery to die. How tough is this job, thinking of doing it myself..Ray

 

[The_Jeff]

I wonder if the relay stuck on last time you drove, and the pump merrilly kept on.

There's a precious voltage when the battery is dying that is real hard on fuel pumps and any electric motors, around 7 volts or so. Makes 'em draw way more current.

I suspect the two are coincidence though.

Fuel pump jobs are never fun however not horrendously hard mentally. If you live where it rusts prepare to need new tank straps/attaching hardware.

 

[psudaytona]

Not a really hard job, just make sure to wear good gloves and eye protection. You will knock your hands of of things and rust and road grime will be magnetically drawn to an uncovered eye.

 

[Donald]

Spray the tank strap bolts with PB Blaster a day or two before you start. Maybe two or three times. Mine were rusty but did not need replacing. Coat with antiseeze when done.

Make sure you get the sock like strainer along with a new pump. In my GM vehicle, the pump is attached to the fuel sender assembly. In my case, the fuel lines snapped on the fuel sender assembly as I tried to unscrew them from the vehicle's flex lines. If things are rusty its almost impossible not to snap the fuel lines in the fuel sender assembly. (At that point the tank is dropped 2"-3" down, so you can get your hands in there, but cannot see what is going on too well.) So maybe price out and line up a fuel sender assembly in case you need one. But Ford may be totally different.

The good news is that when I did it a second time (1 year latter) the fuel line connections were not rusted and came off just fine.

GM vehicles also have a waxy like stuff covering the locking ring. Its messy to scrape it all off. I bought a toilet sealing ring at Home Depot and used that wax after I was done. Best not to use a flame to melt the wax.