Is My Fuel Pump Going Bad

[swhird]

Twice in the last two years I blew the fuel pump fuse on my 2002 Explorer when I was starting it, not while hauling down the interstate. The mechanic said the pressure was correct but was not sure about the wave form and thought I should replace it (~$1000+). I looked at the current draw through the fuse and it looks like this:
This picture shows the start up current spiking to 16 amps for a few mSecs and after about 50mS settling into about 7A steady with that unknown drop at about 280mS and then settling again. Is this normal?

This image shows the zoomed in idle of the fuel pump current. There is this jagged bit at the bottom of the wave. Is this a sign of trouble?

I need this car to be reliable for trips but I'm worried I'm wasting $1k replacing a good fuel pump. Thanks!

 

[chopperb]

Yes. The amperage draw is not good. Pump is probably on its way out.

 

[swhird]

Thanks for the information. Is it the jagged idle current that looks bad or the startup spike with the drop out?

 

[sgully67]

I agree fuel pump is bad. To answer your question as to which pattern is bad it's both patterns look bad.

 

[briwayjones]

$1000+ to replace a fuel pump?

 

[swhird]

The first place I went to wanted $1300. Called around and the lowest I was quoted was was $785.

 

[briwayjones]

That's robbery. Even if you go as expensive as a OEM replacement pump it should be under $300. And a shop should be able to change it in an hour. Two at the most.

 

[swhird]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree a bit of robbery, a lot in the $1300 case. I was having them quote OEM pumps (and a fuel filter) because it only added a small percentage to the overall cost and I believed it would be more reliable.

 

[briwayjones]

Yeah it would be a good thing to replace the fuel filter too. Cheap insurance and should be done every once in a while at least.