OK, a perplexing problem, I NEED help with, please!

'98 Ram, 1500, rear drive, Va,n V-6, less than 50K miles
When the gas guage dropped off the 1/2 mark, it would ' run out of gas'
14 gallons to fill. Runs FINE if the guage is 1/2 and above.

Dropped the tank, NO dirt or crud in the bottom.
The old pump had a cracked housing. But, it 'teloscoped' fine. Had plenty of 'spring' load, to keep the pick up planted on the bottom of the tank.
Installed a new Bosh pump. (Advanced)
Dumped in 5 gallons. (1 1/2" of gas in the bottom, plenty over the pickup)
Hooked all the wires, lines, up, but, didn't finish bolting the tank back up into place. Wanted to make sure there were NO leaks.

Hooked the battery back up, turned the key on, there was a 1 second 'brapp'
Waited a good 10 seconds. Shut the key off, then back on, a short 1 second 'brapp' I did this for a half dozen times.
When I tried to start the van, NOTHING! Just ground over.
I pulled the main line off the top of the pump, hooked up a hose into a bucket, turned the key on, a short 1 second 'brappp' NO gas was comming out of the hose.

Took the pump back to Advanced, got anotehr new Bosch pump.
Same thing. Turn the key on, a short 1 second 'brapp' NO gas comming out of the pump.
Fuse is good.

WT#, is going on here?

I was better off with a 32 gallon tank with only being able to use 14 gallons. LOL

THANKS!

 

First check the fuel pump wiring with a DVM. Make sure that you have good ground and 12+ going to the pump. It should hold the 12+ for about 3 seconds before cutting off with the key on but not running the engine.

Did you only replace the pump motor or did you replace the whole unit? If just the motor make sure that the wiring is not damaged.

May also try swapping the Fuel Pump Relay with the AC Relay and try the engine.

If need let me know and I will look up the fuel pump fuel circuit and post it for you.

 

I was not able to post all three schematics. Let me know if you need me to email them to you. Kenny

 

What is a DVM? Where is the ground? Tank is plastic. Didn't see ANY wire of such going from ANYwhere on the tank to a ,,,, ground.

OK, I guess the whole unit(?) It's identical to the unit I pulled from the tank. Onscrewed a plastic ring, pulled a unit about 6" in dia, and close to a foot long extended.
It's the ONLY way Advanced sells them.

12+? 12+ what?

Fuel pump relay? (sigh) where is this located? NO A/C. Ex Verizion Van. None had A/C. (Or, all the ex,Verizion Dodge Van's I saw, had no A/C)

Now what?

Are you refering to a wiring schematic,,,,,,? Oh feces! With my dyslxia, I have a hard time following the correct directions on how to pour **** out of shoe, in the correct order.

Thanks!

 

DVM - Digital Volt Meter
There should be 4 wires coming off the tank. One supplies 12 volts, one supplies ground, and the other two are for the gas gauge.

When you say you hear a 'brapp', is that the sound of the fuel pump running? If so, you're getting power to the pump. My feeling is that the pump is dry and has not primed up yet. Hook a hose up to each of the nipples on top of the pump and with a funnel try to pour some gas back into the pump to get it's insides wet.

 

Alloro has a good point of priming the pump. With the low fuel level that very well could be the problem.

If his idea does not work then the relays are located in the PDC (Power Distribution Center) located on top of or near the radiator close not far from the battery box. In the PDC lid you will see the relay locations find one and switch with another, since this van does not have AC try switching with the transmission relay.

12+ is the hot power wire to the fuel pump. Ground wire would be located near the back right door either on the floor or underneathe by the frame.

Yes I am refering to the wiring schematics.

If both of the ideas do not fix your problem then do you know someone whom could help trace out the electrical portion of the system? If so then I could still send you the diagrams for that person to trouble shoot with.

 

I want to thank you guys for your input(s), output(s), anykind of put(s), plus your suggestion(s)!

I swappped several of the relays around, NO change. 1 second "brapp" but no gas comming out of the pump.

The only wire(s) I saw back there by the right rear door, was going to the license plate light.

Yes, the "brapp" was the fuel pump sound. (This was the closest I could figgure out how to spell the sound the fuel pump makes, LOL)

Since the fuel pump outlet hole was 3/8" ID, I made a big mess trying to pour gas in there to try and prime the pump. (even though the instalation directions, had to read a dozen times, didn't mention of priming the pump)

I want to Federated Auto Parts, paid $40 more for one of 'their' Bosch pumps.
Installed it.
Cycled the key on for 10 seconds, 3 times, guess what? Van started! But, promptly shut off. Did the key on, 10 second thing for 3 more times. Van ran longer. Third time, it kept running!

I know, when the gas guage lays on the red mark, there is 5 gallons still left.

Two NEW Bosch pumps from Advanced were defective! SOMEBODY's quality control is striaght down the tubes!

I had a hard time getting a refund from Advanced,,,,, but, after a nasty word volley ball back and forth, I finally got my $$$ back.

Thanks again.

 

Two bad pumps...that's just aggravating as hell. They should've never given you a hard time about getting your money back. In fact they should be happy you didn't ask to be compensated for the extra time you spent changing two extra pumps plus the time to troubleshoot.

 

For me just one bad part is very aggravating.

Alumcantandthd, Glad to hear that your van is now back up and running.

 

Glad to hear you got it fixed.

I agree, defective parts are aggravating!! I certainly had my share.
It's pretty sad when your old worn-out parts work better than the new replacements.

I too, have noticed some parts stores have an attitude when it comes to making good on the defective stuff they sell. I can't figure out why they defend bad manufacturing and lack of quality control. Perhaps you should take your future business elsewhere.