TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Nov 29, 2003 5:05 pm

Okay, I bought the correct fuel pump. However before I changed it out I took some good advice and ran a jumper directly to the fuel pump. The old pump ran. I checked it again, it ran, I checked again it ran. So I put the tire back on and the battery back in and tried to start the car. No fuel pump!. I got the tester light out and checked the fuse, the relay in and out and there was power but the fuel pump is acting like it isn't getting any power. The wiring is all new and there were only 2 wires to change. I have read in my bentley that there should be a wire to the control unit. I am not seeing that. I am waiting for someone to come over so that I can test the fuel pump when the key is turned on. I can't do both. That didn't pan out. My neighbor came over to turn the key for me but the fuel pump decided to work. Now I am back to square one. I don't trust the car to go anywhere. I guess I could check to make sure the power is coming to the pump. Perhaps the positive connection inside the fuel pump is loose and that would explain the intermittant working of the fuel pump. They are subject to a lot of vibration.
Any Ideas?
thanks
Annie

Sat Nov 29, 2003 6:18 pm

Annie,

It sounds like somewhere there is a loose wire or something grounding out, which is causing your fuel pump issue. If you are jumpering the pump and it runs, there there's something in the circuit that's bad. I don't have the schematics in front of me, but based of your very thorough description (more like outstanding) it sounds like what I stated. Check any and all connections. Oh, make sure there are two sets of eyes. Your own and someone else. I find that's very helpful in anything I am working on.

Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:02 pm

Annie, another option for you is to ask the guru's at www.vwtype3.org as these guys are the experts when it comes to Fuel Injected type3. If you explain your problem as eloquently there as you did here, I'm sure they can walk you thru fixing it. I hope this helps.

Sat Nov 29, 2003 10:49 pm

Started the car to run to the store and it started again. Only got as far as the end of the driveway. Now the fuel pump acts as if it has no power. I will put the tester on it in the day light. Thanks for the advice. I will post on notchbob's suggestion. Thanks for your kind words.
Annie

Sun Nov 30, 2003 7:46 am

Yes, I second what Bobnotch advised. Those fellows at www.type3.org are very knowledgeable. And don't let people who don't understand FI systems talk you into ripping it out and installing dual carbs. I know a team up in Chicago who race a FI Fasty every weekend and they swear by it. They have the time tickets to prove it!
Please let us know how this turns out. I'm always looking to learn more and pass the knowledge on.

Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:43 pm

Annie, maybe this is bad advice, although it continues to work for me... I was having problems with my fuel pump wiring so instead of running my fuel pump through the relay, I just wired it up to the black wire on my ignition. when I turn my key to start the car, my pump automatically comes on. To the rest of you--> is this a bad idea or hazadous in any way?
thanks
-tyler

Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:15 pm

A relay is to control the flow of electricity. I think you risk burning out your fuel pump with it directly wired to the ignition system like that.

Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:58 pm

Running like a champ. I have been all over town now that I have my new fuel pump in. Wire correctly. The relay is working correctly. All is well. Maybe I will take the car skiing next week. Thanks again for all the good help. I couldn't have done it with out you all.
Annie