One day, you realize your car has problems accelerating or suddenly won’t start. At this point, one of the things you should think about is that the fuel pump system is having problems. How to test a fuel pump out of the car?
To determine if this speculation is correct or not, simply perform the following steps:
Stage 1: Electrical test
- Locate the fuel pump
- Determine whether the pump is on or off
- Check amperage
- Read voltage
Stage 2: Check fuel pressure
- Determine the test location
- Install pressure gauge
- Check for proper pressure
These methods are quite simple and can be done at home with a few specialized items. Specifically, what will you do? Follow the answer along in this post.
Things To Prepare To Test The Fuel Pump Out Of The Car
Materials to prepare to do two fuel pump tests:
- Digital multimeter with an amp clamp
- Flathead screwdriver
- Fuel pressure gauge
- Rag
- Ratchet and socket
How To Test A Fuel Pump Out Of The Car
You can check the fuel pump instability through the 2 sections below.
Electrical test
The fuel filter usually needs to be replaced every 20,000 miles or according to the manufacturer’s specifications. If you don’t handle it by the due date, your fuel pump will be in trouble.
Step 1: Locate the fuel pump
The pump will be located in the fuel tank. However, some vehicles have a transom or in-vehicle control panel. Meanwhile, others asked to lower the fuel tank first. No matter how your car is designed, you just need to find a place to fill it up, and it will locate the fuel pump.
Step 2: Determine whether the pump is on or off
Place your ear near the fuel pump and then ask someone to turn on the car keys. If you hear a buzzing sound, the pump is on.
On the contrary, in case of nothing is heard, the pump is probably no longer working. In this case, you skip step 3 to continue to step 4.
Step 3: Check the amperage
You use a clamp voltage meter on the positive wire of the fuel pump. At this point, the clock will start working. The numbers on the screen will change continuously.
Next, start the car and watch until the clock stands at one digit. At this time, you read the amperage displayed on the screen.
After recording the results, you compare them with the manufacturer’s specifications. If this number does not meet the normal operation requirements of the machine, you should replace the pump with a new one.
Step 4: Read voltage
This step will occur when your pump is no longer running. Use a screwdriver to pry on the tab to remove the connector gently.
Once removed, place the meter leads on the fuel pump in a compatible manner. That is, you need to overlap the positive lead of the meter and the connector. Finally, repeat this process with the negative strings as well.
When the connection is complete, have someone turn on the key and monitor the voltage in the meter. If there is battery voltage, you need to replace the pump. In case you wait forever and still see no sign of current, it means that this test is not capable of detecting the pump’s fault.
Therefore, you need to move on to the next stage of testing.
Check fuel pressure
The pressure test will take place if you cannot confirm the pump system failure by electrical testing.
Or, if you have just changed the filter and are sure that the filter does not cause the problems your vehicle is having, then the following steps should be taken immediately.
Step 1: Determine the test location
Most cars have a pressure check port located on the rails of the fuel injectors. If you don’t know where that location is, observe for a while, and find out.
That location requires a joint or a test port for mounting the pressure gauge. However, if you still can’t find it, you can remove the fuel line and use a special converter.
Once you have determined the location, you proceed to the test step. Note, you must wait for the engine to cool down to avoid burns.
Step 2: Install the pressure gauge
Before installing the pressure gauge, it is recommended that you remove the rag around the test port. Because when placing the engine, the fuel will flow out. Towels will prevent oil stains.
Next, you attach the pressure gauge to the test port and rotate the lock to the running position to record the pressure number displayed on the screen.
Step 3: Check the right pressure
Observe the number on the screen and compare it with the rated pressure to determine the current machine condition.
A typical vehicle that requires a gate pump will range from 30 – 80 PSI. However, each manufacturer will have a different requirement for its engine.
When buying the machine, you can find these numbers in the manual to get an accurate answer for the fuel pump condition. If the measured number does not meet the specified parameters, you must replace a new movement.
In most cases, people think low fuel pressure means the fuel pump is faulty, but that’s not entirely the case. An unsatisfactory number also indicates a defective filter or regulator.
If you have not changed the filter for a long time, you should go to the technical support center to do this through this test. However, after the filter test, you realize the part is still good; the last advice is to replace the fuel pump.
Conclusion
How to test a fuel pump out of the car? Just a few simple steps, and you will complete the test. Knowing the preliminary steps to periodically inspecting a fuel pump can help you prevent or identify problems.
However, before experimenting with any procedure, it’s also important to understand what type of fuel system you’re using. Thus, your operation is not only fast, but you can also avoid risks to the device.
