How do you change the fuel pump on a 1997 Chevy Malibu?

Answer 1

To replace the Fuel Pump or the Fuel Gauge sending unit..

Preliminary - put the vehicle in park and chock the front tires (both the front and rear of the front tires!) When you work under a vehicle movement of the vehicle can cause serious injury or death! So be sure to be safe. You might also wish to replace the fuel filter.

1: Disconnect the Battery!

2: Make sure fuel tank is empty, if the sending unit is bad and you are not sure then siphon the gas from the tank into an approved container. Be smart it is Fuel after all and vapors can cause an explosion.

3: Disconnect the fuel filler hose from the tank. You will need to remove the screws at the fuel filler door area where the fuel filler mounts to the body of the vehicle.

4: Raise the rear of the vehicle and support with jackstands - be sure to chock the front tires - so the vehicle will not move or roll! Do not use cinder blocks - they might crack or break while you are under the vehicle.. and that would not be good.

5: Disconnect fuel sending unit - 4 way connector .

6: Disconnect fuel pressure sensor wiring - 3 way connector.

7: Disconnect fuel line from fuel filter inlet (use a tool available at most autoparts stores), and fuel canister fuel tank return line.

You might wish to replace the Fuel Filter at this time - as you have half of it disconnected.. ensure you have the correct orientation and put the new one in!

8: Remove the fuel tank strap nuts - these are located near the axle - use a DEEP WELL socket to remove them - I think it is a 14mm socket. Drop the straps and move to the side - while supporting the fuel tank.

9: The fuel tank can now be removed from the vehicle.

10: Loosen the Fuel pump retaining ring using a large flat head screw driver to push the ring - I light tap on the screw driver with a rubber mallet might be necessary.

11: Remove the unit from the tank.

12: You should clean the tank out with a fuel tank cleaning solution.

12: Install in reverse order. Remember you supported the tank when you pulled it out - you will need to do the same when reinstalling. ALSO if you thought to take that shortcut and not drain the fuel from the tank.. WELL FUEL is HEAVY ain't it!!