Fuel pump feed (or earth) - priming problem

[itiejim]

Morning folks.

I've got an annoying and intermittent problem with the fuel pump which occasionally refuses to prime at start up. The problem only ever occurs after the car has been stood for a few hours and, once started it never gives a problem whilst the car is running.

I have cleaned up/replaced all the big fuse bits and am satisfied that is all OK. When I have had the problem I have usually managed to get rid of it by fiddling about with the wiring between the big fuse, ECU and fuel pump - but in all sorts of different areas!

Unless I can trace it down properly I know it's going to let me down at the most inconvenient time, Can anyone enlighten me on the following:

The path the signal to the fuel pump takes?

Is there only one pump?

Any other ideas?

[RUSSELLM]

Immobiliser

[Gazzab]

try hotwiring the immobiliser ? You can then discount that if it still happens?

[itiejim]

The original alarm / immobilizer has been completely removed and replaced with a Clifford one. I belive that this is very difficult to do and therefore quite unusual. I have spoken the the guys who fitted it who tell me that it doesn't interrupt the fuel pump anyway, so I've excluded that as a possibility.

I think that it's a poor connection or earth somewhere enroute to the fuel pump. Does it go through the ECU?

[sonnylad]

James, i had a similar problem that some times would not show for weeks or more and other times be daily. tried the immobiliser route and no joy but eventually had the pump renewed after someone mentioned they could become sticky.

Since having a new one fitted no more problems.

Russ

[itiejim]

Russ, thanks for that, it's always very helpful to learn from others experiences. It seems like a logical item to replace, particularly as it only ever seems to cause problems when the car has been stationary for a while.

Can you confirm that there is only one fuel pump, mounted on the chassis near the passenger side rear wheel?

Any idea what else it's fitted to?

[sonnylad]

Sorry no idea as i paid topcats to supply and fit. can confirm pump cost almost £120.

Russ

[itiejim]

Thanks Russ. It would appear that the part is a Bosch 0 580 254 957.

I'll try my local motor factor tomorrow.