Constantly running fuel pump has drained battery advice plea
Constantly running fuel pump has drained battery advice plea
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S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
quotequote all
After a very wet drive to Shelsley, my S Has been parked up in the garage. Been tinkering with bodywork, door locks etc, noticed a stronger than normal smell of petrol. Not sure where from, thought I would move the car out and look for wet patch on floor. Battery completely flat, when I attached the battery charger the fuel pump starts running, without the ignition on !
I presume some water has shorted out the wiring somewhere, anyone had similar problem, any suggestions to most likely place to start looking?

HvdWeerden

1,739 posts

229 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
quotequote all
With my knowledge of electrics I would start with checking the fuel pump relay

Han

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the idea, will have to wait for tomorrow , its gone dark and cold, where is the relay ?engine bay or in the passenger footwell?

phillpot

17,508 posts

212 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
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Hi Mike, it's in the footwell, think it's one of the relays separate from main fuse board/relays.

tvrgit

8,489 posts

281 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
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phillpot said:
Hi Mike, it's in the footwell, think it's one of the relays separate from main fuse board/relays.
It is, and it is.

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
quotequote all
Cheers, I have disconnecteed the battery and got her on charge, will have a rummage in the footwell tomorrow.
Probably got a bit wet, or bounced around on the journey, the fuse box does dangle loose and the side repeater is not that well sealed, so could be the reason.
More wednesday.

Barry S1

1,709 posts

218 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
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Hi Mike
Mine is in the fuse box thing its the orange one

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th February 2013
quotequote all
Ok cheers guys.

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
quotequote all
Well, couldn't wait, whizzed home at lunchtime, to have a look. I recharged the battery overnight, so all set for investigation.
Han, yes relay was first thing to look at, yes Mike it is in the footwell, and yes Barry it was the orange one, what a team, and with confirmation from TVRGit, I confidently removed said relay, with ominous splashy noises from within. Prised apart and it was absolutely flooded with black gungy water.
I have dried it out as best I can sprayed with a famous brand of damp start fluid and left in the sunshine to air dry, ready for reassembly and test tonight.
Thank you all, shortened the diagnosis by several hours maybe days.
All being well I should be using for work tomorrow!!

Roy C

4,213 posts

313 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
quotequote all
S2Mike said:
...I confidently removed said relay, with ominous splashy noises from within. Prised apart and it was absolutely flooded with black gungy water.
I have dried it out as best I can sprayed with a famous brand of damp start fluid and left in the sunshine to air dry, ready for reassembly and test tonight.
Something similar happened to my S2 many years ago. I cut the old relay open to find it full of very rusty water. I think it would probably be best replaced.

As far as I can remember (sold the car a couple of years ago), the fuse/real board on the S2 hangs from one of the bonnet lock mechanism bolts, so any water ingress there will go straight on to the electrics. rolleyes

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
quotequote all
Im hoping that this is the only time water has got into it, since tidying ( stuffing the wiring down in the recess ) the footwell I have only been out in the wet this once.
There is no sign of any rust, but if it doesn't work tonight I will have a sort through a few boxes full of relays that I have to find a compatable one. Thanks for the thought Roy.

Roy C

4,213 posts

313 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
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There was no sign of rust on the outside of the relay, just within.

HvdWeerden

1,739 posts

229 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
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S2Mike said:
I will have a sort through a few boxes full of relays that I have to find a compatable one. Thanks for the thought Roy.
I doubt if you have such a relay "on stock". Its a special relay with a timing function in it

See Alternative parts list says Lucas FDB 502 for K-jetronic(2,8) and FDB 503 for 2.9 L-jetronic

http://www.lucaselectrical.co.uk/files/category/19...
Page 109

Edited by HvdWeerden on Wednesday 20th February 17:09

phillpot

17,508 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
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FDB 503.....



Not very good picture but it says: Fuelling relay ~ Ford ~ 12v ~ 16a ~ Prime time n/a ~ Fall time 0.7 - 1.1 sec


terminals are 12 o'clock 87
3 o'clock 31
6 o'clock 15
9 o'clock 30
and centre is 1

HTH

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
quotequote all
Ok, good news is, She Lives, fired up first time of asking, so well pleased. Thanks guys all accurate info, I will get hold of a spare relay to carry round in case. So armed with these details I will call round my Lucas shop and see what they have.
Got carried away and adjusted door lock, fitted link rods and now have working lock mechanism as well !

glenrobbo

40,455 posts

179 months

Wednesday 20th February 2013
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S2Mike said:
Ok, good news is, She Lives, fired up first time of asking, so well pleased. Thanks guys all accurate info, I will get hold of a spare relay to carry round in case. So armed with these details I will call round my Lucas shop and see what they have.
Got carried away and adjusted door lock, fitted link rods and now have working lock mechanism as well !
Well done Mike,
He/She'll be concourse before you know it.thumbup

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Thursday 21st February 2013
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Its taken 18 months to get this far, but with sunshine and lots of runs to meet up, I will have to get something done between meets to show I have worked on her at least some of the time.
Currently grinding out the stress cracks in the offside wing and door, while refurbing rocker covers, during drying times, none of which will show to the outside world, when painted.
Now I will have to add weather sealing the repeater lights and door frames.
Still the lighter nights are here.

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

179 months

Wednesday 16th October 2013
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Well that will teach me to follow good advice. I didn't get the replacement relay, thinking all was well as it was..then it slipped my mind........ Guess who had a relay failure, yesterday ? Managed to get it operating again but caused quite an inconvenience. New relay now ordered.
Armed with all the advice offered on this thread. Thanks again guys.

magpies

5,203 posts

211 months

Wednesday 16th October 2013
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rolleyes





smile

jmccrary

210 posts

156 months

Wednesday 16th October 2013
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S2Mike said:
Well that will teach me to follow good advice. I didn't get the replacement relay, thinking all was well as it was..then it slipped my mind........ Guess who had a relay failure, yesterday ? Managed to get it operating again but caused quite an inconvenience. New relay now ordered.
Armed with all the advice offered on this thread. Thanks again guys.
Mike, glad you got it sorted! Relays are funny little box that work dark magic inside, but I like em smile