Fuel pump issues post crash.

[WillS66]

Managed to put the car a ditch this morning (no injuries). The car was recovered to home as my immediate reaction was that, apart from a messed up rear drivers side wheel, it looked ok.

But it won’t start. I’ve looked at the inertia cut off switch and it doesn’t seem to be activated, have tried pressing it with no positive result.

If I try and start the car, the fuel pump isn’t activating and although the engine briefly turns over, no fuel = no go.

When I turn the ignition key back to position 0 there’s a brief buzzing sound, maybe a second, coming from the engine bay.

Anyone got any ideas what I should be looking at (apart from learning not to drive like an idiot)?

To make matters worse, the cars now stuck on my soft gravel driveway, can’t even push it into the garage.

WillS

[Loubaruch]

AS a first step I would look at the connections to the fuel pump under the car at the rear near side. Possibly your off has dislodged them.

Failing that a circuit for the fuel pump is here:

www.Bertram-hill.com

[nawarne]

Just writing first thing that comes into my head - - -

The brief buzzing/clicking on IGN off is probably the stepper motor re-setting?

If you went into a ditch/rough ground, it's a possibility that the electrical supply to the fuel pump has been pulled off. If you can get the NS of the car jacked and on axle stand and check the wires to the fuel pump and see they are firmly on the pump spade connectors. Be a good opportunity to put a meter/test lamp on the connectors too and check for 12V?

Hope you resolve it!
Nick

[Sardonicus]

Both of the above ^

[QBee]

....and double check that fuel cut off button again, as your symptoms are exactly what happens when that is triggered.
I assume you found it up under the passenger side dash, having dropped the glove pouch under the dash?
It is rubber covered. I triggered mine entering a gravel trap sideways on a track day. I didn't trigger it when entering a ditch forwards.

See? You aren't the only driving God with holiness issues...

[Zippee]

Bit of a random answer but many moons ago I hit a very large pothole in my old Chim and had exactly what you describe. Tried the fuel cut off inertia to no avail, turned out the shock had buggered the immobiliser unit which is under the dash top and I had to get that replaced.

[WillS66]

QBee said:

....and double check that fuel cut off button again, as your symptoms are exactly what happens when that is triggered.
I assume you found it up under the passenger side dash, having dropped the glove pouch under the dash?
It is rubber covered. I triggered mine entering a gravel trap sideways on a track day. I didn't trigger it when entering a ditch forwards.

See? You aren't the only driving God with holiness issues...

I wish it were that simple. I've taken a look at the fuel cut off button and it appears (and feels like) it's not been activated. Unless I'm missing something very obvious, my understanding is that on activation it "pops out"? It hasn't.

WillS.

[griff50tvr]

I helped a friend get his Chim restarted after a sideways slap against armco triggered the fuel cutoff. I hope I'm not stating the obvious but the cutoff switch will only reset with the ignition switched on - at least that's how it worked on his Chim and when I needed it on my Griff.

[phillpot]

If in any doubt pull the wires off and join together?

[WillS66]

griff50tvr said:

I helped a friend get his Chim restarted after a sideways slap against armco triggered the fuel cutoff. I hope I'm not stating the obvious but the cutoff switch will only reset with the ignition switched on - at least that's how it worked on his Chim and when I needed it on my Griff.

For a moment there I got excited, rushed outside to try resetting it again and ....... nothing :-)

Trailer is arriving tomorrow to take it to the garage for a proper assessment.

WillS.

[blitzracing]

Do you get the clicks from the passenger foot wells from the two relays when you turn on the ignition (dont start)? The fuel pump relay should then click again as it disconnects after a couple of seconds. If the FP relay is clicking, the issue is between the relay and the pump.

[WillS66]

Got the report from the garage, Racing Green in Alton, this morning. I need a new fuel pump plus a new wheel and tyre (& possibly a bit of paint).

Could've been a lot worse.

Thanks all for the tips and suggestions.

WillS.

[black_potato]

Phew.. looks like you got away with it relatively speaking.

[BIG DUNC]

"Well done". If you are going to have an "off", then that is the best way to do it.

[N7GTX]

All you need now is a set of Rainsport 3 tyres.......;)










(.....so you wont slide off again)