Every time I turn the ignition on in my 1996 Dodge Neon I hear the fuel pump kick on for a few seconds to pressurize the system...I think this is pretty normal. However, for the past year or so it sounds really rough when it does that...It sounds even worse when the tank is almost empty...
Once the car is running I hear no other abnormal sounds and it runs just fine.
Yesterday morning I turned on the ignition and the fuel pump sounded rough as usual but seemed to stop running after a 0.5 of a second rather than the usual 2 seconds or so...I then noted I was unable to start the car. It just cranked over and didn't fire up. I tried to turn the ignition on and off a few times and now I noticed that the fuel pump was making no sounds at all...Still couldn't start the car...So I jumped on my motorcycle and went to work on that.
When I got home the Neon started right up and the fuel pump was making its usual rough noise.
What I need to know is, do I need a new fuel pump or is there something else at play here?
Many thanks for the input.
Trevor
Once the car is running I hear no other abnormal sounds and it runs just fine.
Yesterday morning I turned on the ignition and the fuel pump sounded rough as usual but seemed to stop running after a 0.5 of a second rather than the usual 2 seconds or so...I then noted I was unable to start the car. It just cranked over and didn't fire up. I tried to turn the ignition on and off a few times and now I noticed that the fuel pump was making no sounds at all...Still couldn't start the car...So I jumped on my motorcycle and went to work on that.
When I got home the Neon started right up and the fuel pump was making its usual rough noise.
What I need to know is, do I need a new fuel pump or is there something else at play here?
Many thanks for the input.
Trevor
Record Breaker
Sounds like the pump. But the only way to figure it out is to get it to duplicate the problem. When it does not start you need to first check fuel pressure. Then test for power and ground at the pump, relay, and fuse. Also scan for any history or pending CEL codes to make sure the cam sensor isnt taking a dump.
Just wanted to give everyone an update on this.
Despite my suspicions that the fuel pump was about to die I continued to drive the car to work. On the way home (during rush hour) it decided to die on me and conked out in the middle of the road.
I got AAA to take me (and the car) home. I ordered a new pump that night and put it in at the weekend. I changed the fuel filter while I was at it.
I was surprised how easy the job was in the end. It only took me a couple of hours and most of that time was spent draining the tank and trying to find places to store 8 gallons of gas.
With the new pump in the car it seems to be running fine again, so I'm very pleased!
Thanks for your help on this!
Despite my suspicions that the fuel pump was about to die I continued to drive the car to work. On the way home (during rush hour) it decided to die on me and conked out in the middle of the road.
I got AAA to take me (and the car) home. I ordered a new pump that night and put it in at the weekend. I changed the fuel filter while I was at it.
I was surprised how easy the job was in the end. It only took me a couple of hours and most of that time was spent draining the tank and trying to find places to store 8 gallons of gas.
With the new pump in the car it seems to be running fine again, so I'm very pleased!
Thanks for your help on this!