How do you know when a fuel pump has went bad?

Answer 1

Borrow a pump pressure tester at one of the local chain parts stores. This will only tell you pressure. Next you need to test volume, by using a bucket and seeing how fast it fills it up. It should do a gallon in a minute or so, but use common sence, as you will not use that much fuel when driving it. So a quart in a minute should be fine.

Before you do all this, make sure the pump is even running by turning on the ignition with everything turned off, so you can hear it. It is easy to hear, and it should shut off in a few seconds, as soon as it reaches pressure and the relay shuts it off. If you cannot hear the pump, find the relay and ohm it out. If it is bad, replace it, as it is a simple job that anyone can do, and will possibly save you from the hard job of changing the pump. Also, check or just change your fuel filter, as that could keep enough fuel from getting to the engine, and it is also an easy job, and is probably due for a change anyways. They cost about 10-15 bux.