Where is the fuel pump located on a 1996 Mazda Miata?

Answer 1

== == The fuel pump is in the gas tank. If you pull up the carpet behind the seats (where the top folds down) there is a panel on the driver's side that can be removed giving access to the gas tank. There you can unscrew another panel that opens up the actual gas tank. The fuel pump and gauge sender come out with that panel.

The fuel filter is under a plastic access cover just forward and to the right of the rear differental housing. There are a few things that I can pass along as I just replaced mine. First, drive the gas tank down to near empty. You'll thank me for this bit of advice. Second, if you have car ramps, drive the rear of the car up on them for easier clearance. You're going to need it. Third, you'll have six plastic snap type screws to remove. Lift the heads as you rotate them out. If you break one, it can be replaced but they aren't cheap. Fourth, you need a special fuel line disconnect tool. It's about eight dollars at an auto parts store. I used an Ampro model# T70045. Lossen the #10 screw in the bracket that holds the filter and as you remove the line going forward to the engine, cap the filter with the dust cap from the new filter. The fun starts as you remove the second line from the tank. Work the line off with the new tool and be ready to slip the new filter in place and reinstall the lines. While I was mentally calculating the money I spent on a tool, the cost of ramps , if you don't have any, and the risk of injury and/or fire hazard, and the feel of gasoline across my arms, I wondered if it might have been wiser to take it into the shop for replacement. When I finally completed the job, I couldn't believe that I had such thoughts. If I had it to do over again, I would have a gallon of gasoline on hand and pull the tank line first to drain the near empty tank. Comment regarding the above answer-

When changing the fuel filter, instead of attempting to empty the tank, it is much easier to just depressurize the fuel system and run the engine out gas in the fuel line to avoid excess fuel leakage when removing the filter (you lose only about a cup of gas using this method).

To do this, remove the gas cap. Then remove the 6 wire 4 post fuel pump relay located above the accelerator pedal. The plug is bright green on my miata and is distinguishable from the other plugs in the same vicinity by the side tabs that have to be depressed to remove the plug.

Once this is removed, start the car and use up any additional gas in the fuel line. It should only take a few seconds for the car engine to run out of fuel. I would then disconnect the battery for safety.

Now proceed to remove the cover on the fuel filter as detailed above. There are two quick connects that need to be squeezed and then unplugged. I would suggest not using the tool mentioned above because it can break the quick connects. I also found it easier to loosen the bracket holding the fuel filter before disconnecting the inside quick connect. You do not have to completely remove the brackets.

One other tip is to keep a couple BIC pens handy. The body of a BIC pen has a diameter very close to that of the fuel filter inlet and outlet pipes and does a nice job of sealing off the fuel lines to avoid any gas dripping while you work.