tapping fuel pump/starter

[raaizin]

On a couple of occasions I had a fuel pump quit on me. A friend had once mentioned if a starter or fuel pump or starter quits running, tap it sharply and it will run for a short while, usually enough to get you home.I have used this method twice and both times saved me a tow. Can someone tell me why this is so.

 

[The_Jeff]

This worked for me too. Shakes the worn brushes in the motor to make contact.

 

[EricF]

+1
time to replace it!

 

[abycat]

Ive done this alot of times as well. Not only my car but other stranded peoples cars. Definatly something to do with the insides of the pump, maybe dislodging a hard to spin armature or some electrical contact. Does not work all the time but is sure worth a try.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
This worked for me too. Shakes the worn brushes in the motor to make contact.


+1

Also, a smack on a starter solenoid when it is energized can bring dirty contacts, back into contact.

 

[widman]

And I've jump started hard drives that way, as well as many other things.

 

[artificialist]

Sometimes this works when the bearings are worn out.

I can't remember how many times I have successfully used this trick to get an A/C blower motor to work a few minutes longer.

 

[AdRock]

I've used this a million times on starters. But mostly on window motors. 99% of the time I had a car come in with a window motor inop I'd smack it a few times with a small ball peen hammer and it would work. We'd then give the car back to the customer and tell them to come back when we had the new motor. Only a small handful would actually come back.

 

[sciphi]

I used it a few times on my old Buick when its starter motor went out. It worked well enough to get me home.