Fuel Pump? Recurrent problems

[pgmrpmt]

The '05 Sport Trac quit running in Arlington early January. A mobile mechanic diagnosed the fuel pump and replaced it. Everything went well for 6 weeks and it died in downtown Houston with the same symptoms. Had it towed to a service station. They said it needed a new fuel pump despite the recent repair. So I forked out another $750 and this time the truck failed after 30 miles. Towed it back to the service station and Monday morning, the owner said everything was working fine so he had nothing to fix.

Took it to a Ford dealership for a tune up and described what happened. The dealership said there's nothing to diagnose unless the car wasn't running or the check engine light was on. Paid $200 and two weeks later, I'm geting it towed back to the dealership for diagnosis.

Is there a history of flaky parts in the fuel line supply somewhere on this vehicle? I'm out of patience and definately running out of money.

 

[bdmaash]

was the filter changed too?

could be the fuel pump relay - try swapping the fuel pump relay with a like one.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

Keep in mind the inertia switch in the passenger footwell too, as I had one that had intermittent contact on my old '95 Explorer and would often act like a failing fuel pump. The best thing I could do was if it started acting up, I'd bash the panel in the footwell to trip the switch and then reset it. Since I don't know what symptoms your truck is presenting I can't offer any more than that, but it's free and worth a shot. Good luck.

Tom

 

[pgmrpmt]

Dealership Response

The truck was towed to the dealership where the diagnostic computer pinpointed the relay just outside the fuel tank. Dealer is replacing it for just less than $200. I hope the drama is over.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[John_Rock]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[ncranchero]

The truck was towed to the dealership where the diagnostic computer pinpointed the relay just outside the fuel tank. Dealer is replacing it for just less than $200. I hope the drama is over.

Thanks for your responses.

Maybe they called it a relay but the only pump control item near the tank is the fuel pump driver module. Ask them for the old part and lets see what the number on it is. That module can surely cause your problem though.

 

[vtm2005]

I would be pissed about parts swapping and no fix. I would be making some calls definatly to the prior repair shops... Also filing out letters to the BBB

 

[ncranchero]

Kind of my thoughts too!

 

[pgmrpmt]

The part on listed on the repair order is the inertia switch. Good call Squirrelmaster. Is that a fancy name for the reset button under the glove box?

My guess is that the two fuel pumps I bought were not necessary. Yes I'm pretty mad. With towing and replacement parts I'm almost $2200 into the repair.

 

[bdmaash]

so the fuel reset light wasn't coming on in the dash?
It should come on if the inertia switch is tripped (unless I misunderstood the light)

 

[ncranchero]

so the fuel reset light wasn't coming on in the dash?
It should come on if the inertia switch is tripped (unless I misunderstood the light)

You have a fuel reset light, for the inertia switch?

The truck was towed to the dealership where the diagnostic computer pinpointed the relay just outside the fuel tank.

Well, I guess you could call the inertia switch under the dash "the relay just outside the fuel tank".
NOT !

bdmaash you need to open up a can of

on some of those so called mechanics!

 

[bdmaash]

was late, it's just an arrow in the dash that shows which side the fuel door is on.
just went out and looked....don't know where I got the fuel reset light. Must be from a more intelligent vehicle.


edit:
read the owners manual for my '01
(page 159) - quoted without permission
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
The fuel pump shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the electric fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
After a collision, if the engine cranks but does not start, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been activated. The "Fuel Reset" indicator light will illuminate in the instrument cluster.

...so my memory still sort of works, that's some "whoop ass"

 

[John_Rock]

Who wants to volunteer to run their Sport Trac in to a tree, let's say doing 30mph to see if a dash light comes on? Bueller? Beuller?