Hi All,

I am having an intermiting problem with my fuel pump not priming before starting. When this problem occurs the car is difficult to start and stores a code 54. When the problem occurs I can still hear the relay clicking after a few seconds as if it were still attempting to activate the fuel pump. Any ideas as to what the problem could be?

Regards,
WIlliam

 

I've been chasing this problem for quite awhile. I've changed the relay with no effect. Doed yours do this only sometimes like mine?
I've thrown around the idea of replacing the ecm to see what if that fixes it. I don't know what else to do.

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350 TPI, 700R4(rebuilt), K&N's, MSD 6AL, Headers, Flowmaster, 160* stat, airfoil, MAF screens cut out. 13.88 @ 101.18 mph

 

It has just started recently. Then it went away for a day and now it's back. At first I thought it was the alarm system. Now I do not know what to think. Does your car have an alarm? I am thinking there is either insufficient power to the relay or the fuel pump. I do not believe the ECM is bat because I still hear the relay activating. Which relay on the block is for the fuel pump?

 

No I don't have an alarm. I have tried testing the wires for voltage at the relay and basically found none while cranking. This is why I believe that its ecm related (not sending a signal to the relay) and only starts when the oil pressure comes up.
Still somewhat confused though since sometimes I hear the pump prime and it is still hard to start.
Any other ideas?

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350 TPI, 700R4(rebuilt), K&N's, MSD 6AL, Headers, Flowmaster, 160* stat, airfoil, MAF screens cut out. 13.88 @ 101.18 mph

 

I still do not think it's an ecm issue. Before encountering this problem my fuel pump would enguage for a few seconds before cranking. The car would start then the fuel pump would come on. On occassions when my car does this it starts right away. Are you getting a code 54 as well?

 

If there is no voltage at the green wire on the fuel pump when you're starting, then it's either the ECM or the wire inbetween. Once the car is running the output of the relay (either pin A or E. Can't remember which) will have voltage, but it will be a result of a backfeed from the oil pressure switch.

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That's what I thought. I had no voltage reading on the green wire when I started it up, only on "A" (orange wire).

 

Problem resolved! Turned out to be a bad relay. I had to get the multi meter out on this one. Although the relay was functioning it was not giving enough power to the fuel pump or any loaded circut. Almost replaced the fuel pump for no reason. Thanks to all who replied.

William

 

I think I have the same problem, I have zero fuel pressure as verified by a pressure guage and of course it won't start. If I hotwire the pump I get pressure and it fires right up. Code 54 sets whenever I have the problem. Can anyone tell me where the relay is for a 91z28 TPI so I can troublshoot this circuit?

Thanks in advance!

 

I have the same intermittent problem with 54, been going on for the 6 years Ive had the car. I think its the wiring between the ecm and the pump but since the pump is going out too lately I will just replace the system, : pump, relay and possibly ECM.

when stuff like this happens it can be easy to fix but most likely it will be a wiring problem because the wires cover so much distance from the firewall to the ecm to the gastank.

 

Gentelmen,

I will let you know when I get back from my weekend. This is an easy one to fix.

W

 

I went thru a similar problem--when I replaced the ecm the problem went away.

Bob

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350 TPI, 700R4(rebuilt), K&N's, MSD 6AL, Headers, Flowmaster, 160* stat, airfoil, MAF screens cut out. 13.88 @ 101.18 mph