My fuel pump went out shortly after I bought my 87 Fiero GT. I purchased a new one from "The Fiero Store", dropped the tank and replaced it. Car ran great for two weeks and died on the way to work. I got into things today desperately trying to disprove my worst fears only to determine that the new fuel pump went out on me.
I have a couple of questions before I go and replace this thing again.
1. Has anyone had issues with the FP's sold by the Fiero Store? I think it was an Airtex or something like that. 2. Has anyone run into another issue/component causing fuel pumps to burn up?
I just don't want to make this task a habit!!! All input is greatly appreciated!
I'm just going to say what others here have said. If you are going to replace the fuel pump, go with AC Delco. From what I've heard here on the forum, you are going to get a more reliable product. Replacing a fuel pump aint a fun job. There are other places to get standard parts like a fuel pump besides TFS. Not that they don't do a great service for us Fiero enthusiasts, there are just other choices of dealers that offer a better variety of products out there.
are you sure that the fuel pump went bad? i had a similar thing happen to me and i thought the pump was bad until i dropped the tank and found the fuel line that i used to connect the pump to the metal line had a split in it causing the pressure to bled out and not get enough pressure for the car to run. make sure when you put it all together that you use submersible fuel injection fuel hose, the regular type will not last too long bathed in gas.
I'm just going to say what others here have said. If you are going to replace the fuel pump, go with AC Delco. From what I've heard here on the forum, you are going to get a more reliable product. Replacing a fuel pump aint a fun job. There are other places to get standard parts like a fuel pump besides TFS.
I would agree. The stock Fiero fuel pump is a common item and should be available over the counter at any auto parts store. Many GM cars used the same pump. Autozone has the AC Delco for $79, for example.
How is your fuel gauge set? If there is a possibility that you are running the tank too low, you could be causing the pump to suck air. That brings a swift death to fuel pumps. I went through this with my '87. I easily solved it by driving my '86.
See my Cave, Electric Motors Bad power and/or ground can kill FP etc
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
My fuel pump went out shortly after I bought my 87 Fiero GT. I purchased a new one from "The Fiero Store", dropped the tank and replaced it. Car ran great for two weeks and died on the way to work. I got into things today desperately trying to disprove my worst fears only to determine that the new fuel pump went out on me. !
Another thing not mentioned in earlier posts: I hope you also had replaced the strainer, most fuel pump manufacturer won't honor waranty if you can't show proof of purchase of a strainer.
------------------ Ben 87 GT / 88 GT 84 Indy #1863
Thanks for all of the input. Here some additional info concerning my troubleshooting efforts.
First off, it ran fine after installation. One day on the way to work it just died. My first step was to check the fuse (good)! Next step, I swapped the Fuel Pump relay with the AC relay, even though the Oil Pressure switch should have by-passed the relay and pumped gas. Not to mention it should not have died under these circumstances anyways.
Before tearing into it. I checked the plug on the engine side of the firewall and reseated it. No change. Next, I put my ear to the center console and turned on the ign. I heard the pump go thump! And about 2-3 seconds later it thumped again. Indicating to me that the voltage was cycling on and off as designed. Just to be sure, (actually a desparate attempt to prove myself wrong) I fed 12v from the battery to terminal G on the ALCL. No help!!
I then checked the ground wire under the console in front of the ECM. "SOLID" connection.
I dropped the tank (Full) and put it up on my work table and "CAREFULLY" connected a ground and a hot wire to the sending unit wires, thereby by-passing all wiring/connections in the vehicle. Same result, thump-thump.
I disconnected the leads and removed the and removed the sending unit to make a visual inspection. Looked as good as it did two weeks prior.
So there you have it. So, before I install another one I wanted to get input from you good people. I guess I'll go with an AC Delco and also make some voltage and wiring checks before reinstalling the tank.
Thanks to OGRE for ref his page. I'll be looking at some of the specs and info there as I complete another fuel pump replacement.
Regards,
Jeff
P.S. Yes, strainer too!
[This message has been edited by 1987Fiero_GT (edited 09-09-2013).]
My first suggestion is you probably just got a bumb pump. These things happen and a more expensive pump does not guarantee this wont happen again, but I always recommend quality over price, they usually work better and longer. It's too bad your tank is full, other wise I would suggest power washing the inside of the tank and filling with fresh fuel. Ford tech hotline had suggested that particle from the original pump failure could be floating around in the fuel causing mulyiple failures. (Still waiting to see if the 3rd one fails in the next couple weeks) Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
That's two weeks longer than I got on my first replacement. I was so mad. I hate laying under the car breathing gas fumes. Took it back and the next one worked. Parts stores should have to pay for your labor when they sell you a bad part that you have to replace again.
I have about 3 months on a cheapo fuel pump/sender in my K5 Blazer and it just crapped out Sat. Can't wait to drop that 31 gallon tank/skid plate that is full!
I also got 6 months off my tie rod ends on my Buick-China crap!
I personally went through 3 airtex pumps in a 99 blazer in the coarse of 2 months finally last time I pulled it they let me just pay the difference for a bosch pump and I never had a problem after that.. last time I ever took the "cheap" route for a fuel pump
I've had problems with Airtex and Carter...Airtex died after about a year...Carter shorted... would run then not run always on restart.took it out and the contacts were black..went to Bosch and no probs....easy to find priced good....Fiero Store? never had anything to brag about in the way of parts from them...maybe just my bad luck?
After letting the car sit for a week while I made up my mind about the next fuel pump I install, I decided to go with a "Known" American made part. That was a Carter sold at Napa. I was surprised that it was only $51 + tax. The car runs perfect!
Hopefully I won't have to do this again any time soon!
