is my fuel pump bad?

Question

i have a 96 Nissan 200SX and i think my fuel pump might be bad. whenever i try to start it it tries but the engine doesnt turn over. i know its not my battery or alternator. my neighbor knows a little about cars and he tried to put some gas directly in the carb or something and it started up right away and stayed started for a few minutes. is my fuel pump bad??? if not what else could it be?

thanks alot everyone i took out my fuel filter and got a good look at it and it is in pretty bad shape so tomorrow im gonna buy a new one and hopefully thats all it was

Answer 1

Before you change your fuel pump, check your fuel filter and see if it needs to be changed. It sure sounds like no gas is getting to your injectors, so it could be.

Answer 2

A fuel pressure test would be a great start. one can usually be rented from an autozone or advance auto.
There is also a fuel pump relay, and ive found on some hondas that the fuel pump runs through a main or master relay.
If you have a test light or volt meter you could locate the wire (prefferably at the connection on the fuel tank) and test it to see that the pump is recieving power.
a haynes or chilton manual should have a wiring diagram should you run into trouble locating the wire that powers the fuel pump.
autozone's website has a component locator if you cannot find the fuel pump relay.
Good luck, hope this helps

Answer 3

You could try resetting the fuel pump cutoff switch that trips if your car gets bumped or in an accident. Look in your car owner's manual for its location. Your next step should be to follow a diagnostic tree procedure to see if the fuel pump relay is being turned on by your PCM/ECM computer and switching the battery voltage to the fuel pump in your gas tank. Sometimes you can hear the pump run when you first turn the key to on (not start) for 6 seconds and off again for 10 seconds, then to on again etc. Have some one put their ear up to the open gas cap filler pipe and see if they can hear it run.

Answer 4

car must turn over to start lol. if fuel pump is electric try listening for it when turning on key if you hear nothing good chance pump is not working weather it be the pump or wires to it there is also usally a fuel rail that has a valve like on a tire whatching out for fuel spray in yo face or ignition source see if after turning key ahead if there is any pressure at valve a gauge would be best check for pump fuses and or other safty switches relays diagnosing problems can be somtimes very difficult for those not experienced just for laughs is there any gas in your tank and the gauge is not reading properly try taking off gas cap and shake car listening for substanal gas slop.lol valve i spoke of is usally very near injectors or trottle body. hard spellin.ha first day with my new hands

Answer 5

I had a similar problem with my car. I took it in and they claimed that it could be 1 of 3 things: Oxygen sensor, fuel pump, or fuel filter. Each one of these can mess with the fuel flow, and not be a problem with the carburetor.

It would be a good idea to shop around for the best deal if you decide to take it in. You will find that some places rip you off for the labor costs.

Answer 6

First I would check the fuel filter. While you have the fuel filter off have someone else turn the key into the on position while you pay close attention to the fuel line that was connected to the filter. If it pumps gas out (and please use a container) then the pump is working. To check the fuel filter to see if it is good wipe off the end of it and attempt to blow through it with your mouth. Chances are it's probably clogged and the fuel pump is bad. One of the main reasons for fuel pump failure is because the fuel filter is clogged causing undue stress on the electric fuel pump and causing it to fail. Good Luck!

Answer 7

yes that sounds like fuel pump problem or your carb need to be rebuilt