How do you test - check the fuel pump on a Ford Taurus - Mercury Sable?

Answer 1

The easiest initial test is to determine if you hear it run when the key is turned to the RUN position.

Note: the fuel pump is directly under the rear seat, slightly to the passenger side of center - by about 7 inches. You may want to climb into the back seat to get closer, or even reach under the car to the general area - and have some one turn the key to run and see if you feel it run for 4-6 seconds.

Another test is to put a pressure gauge on the schrader(?) valve on the fuel line on the top of the engine (passenger side on the DOHC) - it should read somewhere in the 30+ ft lbs range, not running.

Note #2: the pink w/ black stripe wire is the power to the pump (sounds like a political slogan).

Note #3: just to say you did it, doublecheck the emergency fuel shutoff switch back in the right corner of the trunk/"way back" of a wagon. The button should be in the down position.

Note #4: good to check the fuses too.

Note #5: the fuel pump for a DOHC Duratec engine is DIFFERENT from the Vulcan or flex fuel. Higher specs than the others.

AnswerI would guess try replacing fuel pump, But before you do , spend 20.00 bucks on a Haynes manual at your local Auto Zone or Advanced Auto and do a little multi-meter work before buying the wrong part. Everything is electronic so you never know. I had an older Ford Tempo once and the fuel pump did the same thing then eventually went out and had to replace. Hope this helps!!

Added by CamaroLuver: Kudos on the mutimeter advice! Better than going out and buying a bunch of parts, and doing the guess work. It COULD be the fuel pump then again could not. Just because you replaced the relay doesn't mean it's working right. Touch the fuel pump relay when you don't hear your pump come on, have a friend turn your car on (not crank) and see if you feel the relay click over. If not then you aren't getting power to your relay. Then it's a different problem entirely. Wiring, a ground, possibly computer problem, do alot of testing before you go out and buy parts. Also test if you have spark before you rule out to be a fuel delivery problem (which I'm guessing it is) I learned that the hard way. Had the exact same symptoms, bought a new relay, went through 3 pumps before we realized it wasn't either one, got a new ignition coil and switch, ECM, fuel injectors. Turned out to be some bad wiring and a fusible link. Electrical problems are the greatest!!! :-p *sarcasm*

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