Fuel Pump Gone?

E

el gordo

Hi All

I recently bought a 2000 Almera S, 95k miles on the clock.

Today, on a dual carriage way the engine suddenly lost all power and then died, it was starting but would only idle for a few seconds before cutting out again. The fuel gauge was showing about the tank was about 1/4 full, I put about 5 litres of fuel in and it still wouldn't run for more than a few seconds, so that rules out a faulty sender in the tank. After I got it towed back home the engine wouldn't start at all, so I'm starting to suspect the fuel pump.

When I bought it I had a good listen to the engine when starting from cold and I didn't hear any cam chain rattle and the engine warning light went off after the engine started so I'm fairly sure it isn't the cam chain tension. I've checked all the fuses and they seem good. I've also pulled out the back seat and tried starting it and there wasn't any noise coming from the pump.

Is there anything else I can check before changing out the pump?

Thanks

El G
 
I'm no expert but I think you've found the problem already, I had one go on a previous car. If you can't hear the short "buzz" when you turn the key (easier with the door still open) it's not pressuring up ready to start.

Hope you find what it is and fix it ok ;)
 
Mikee said:
I'm no expert but I think you've found the problem already, I had one go on a previous car. If you can't hear the short "buzz" when you turn the key (easier with the door still open) it's not pressuring up ready to start.

Hope you find what it is and fix it ok ;)
Click to expand...
Cheers, I just really needed someone to agree with me tbh. I think I'll breaking out the voltmeter tommorrow though, so if you know were the fuel pump relay is that would be grand!

Thanks

El G
 
I'm not 100% but I think it's behind one of the lower panels in the footwells, should be two together, one's the fuel pump and the other is the rear demister.
 
Mikee said:
Just found this...
http://www.almeraownersclub.com/threads/nissan-almera-motiva-2006-cant-start-up.50060/
Click to expand...
Cheers for that I'll give it a more closer read at the weekend.

There has been some more drama, I feel that this may turn into a saga.

A few days after the initial breakdown, yeas there's more than one, I went to take a picture of the fuel pump to make sure I was buying the same unit. I unplugged the five pin connector, plugged back in and I thought I would try to start the car again. So I turned the ignition and I heard the pump priming and the car fired up fine. I took for a spin round the block and it seem fine, so happy days.

Cut to yesterday, just left a job interview in Birmingham (I live in Swansea btw). I stalled at a set of lights and the car wouldn't start up again. Tried unplugging and replugging the connecter, the old IT Crowd "turn it off and turn it back on again" trick. Nothing, no noise from the pump at all.

Called out the RAC. They originally suspected the fuel inertia cut off switch, but apparently the almera doesn't have one. They then checked all the fuses and relays, no issues there. They did confirm that there was no power getting to the pump, he also checked for any error codes and the only thing that came up was the fuel temperature sensor had tripped, but the RAC was of the opinion that that would'nt cut the power to the fuel pump. They suspect there maybe an issue with the ECM. So in the end I had to get trailered back to Swansea.

Now this is were it gets interesting, perhaps. After I got back and my car was off the trailer, I moved the car a couple of feet by riding the starter motor whilst first gear was engaged, the car moved slowly as it would. Went to do the same when in reverse, and the engine came to life. To say I was surprised was an understatement, as the car lurched back and smashed into a telegraph pole.

So now, not only do I have a electric gremlin somewhere, but my boot and bumper are bent and I can't get the boot open.

Sorry for the long post

El
 
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