• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Fuel pump/fuel flow troubleshooting

H

Harley42

New CEG'er
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
11
Location
Monroeville, PA, USA
I am trying to troubleshoot a problem with either the fuel pump, or the wiring leading to it. My Contour won't start unless I use starting fluid, then it only runs until the fluid is run through the engine.

Here's what I've done so far:
I changed the fuel filter.
I put fresh gas in the tank, the tank is about 1/2 full.
I disconnected the fuel line at the fuel rail and cranked it, there was absolutely no gas at that point.
I checked the fuel cut-off switch, it is not tripped.
I disconnected the fuel line before the fuel filter, cranked, no gas.
I listened to relay R1 while cranking the engine. I heard it clicking.
I pulled the connector at the fuel pump and see that the fuel gauge goes to full.
I'm not sure, but I don't think that the pump is running when I turn the key on.

My questions:
Is there a way to test the relay?
How do I test the power at the fuel pump?
What is the pinout at the pump (there are 5 connections, a group of two and a group of three)?
What should the voltage be when cranking the engine?

I really want to make sure that the pump is bad before replacing it.

'99 Contour SE (the date sticker on the driver's door says 1998-2302958)
Zetec engine
ATX
no mods (that I know of!)

Thanks in advance!
 
IIRC the group of three wires is for the fuel level sending unit and the two wires is for the fuel pump. disconnect the two wire connector and hook your volt meter up to it. crank the engine and watch the voltage readings. IIRC it should be about 12 volts.
 
I tested across the group of two contacts. When the ignition is on, it shows 12v (actually around 11.8v). With the back seat up and the rubber cover off, I can hear faint clicking when the pump should be running.

A related question. I have a center seat shoulder belt. How do I disconnect it so I can remove the back seat while working on the pump?
 
The belt is released with a straightened paperclip poked into the tiny hole at the clasp. If you look closely you will find the hole about where you would expect to find the release button.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. It really looks like I'm going to have to change the fuel pump if I'm ever going to use my poor car again.

On that note, I'm going to start a thread in the Mods section. I checked around for pumps and found one place whose pump is listed as being flex-fuel capable. I going to see if anyone has modded a contique for flex fuel, or has an idea of what needs to be swapped out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top