Car Won’t Start – Could It Be the Fuel Pump Relay?

Hey guys,

I’m having trouble getting my car to start. The engine cranks, but it just won’t fire up. I also noticed that I don’t hear the fuel pump priming when I turn the key.

I already checked the battery and fuses—everything looks fine. I’ve heard that sometimes the fuel pump relay can cause this issue, but I’m not sure how to tell if it’s the problem.

Is there a way to reset the relay before replacing it? And are there any signs that confirm the relay is bad?

Any advice would be awesome. Thanks in advance!

Hey man,

Yeah, the fuel pump relay could definitely be the issue. Before replacing it, try this:

:one: Turn off the ignition – Make sure everything’s powered down.
:two: Find the relay – It’s usually in the fuse box under the hood or inside the car. Check the manual if you’re not sure.
:three: Pull it out & check for damage – Look for burn marks or a melted plastic smell.
:four: Let it sit for a few minutes – Sometimes, a quick reset can help.
:five: Pop it back in & test – Turn the key and listen for the fuel pump priming.

If that doesn’t do the trick, try swapping it with another relay of the same type from the fuse box (some cars have interchangeable ones). If the pump still isn’t kicking on, you might be dealing with a bad pump or a wiring issue.

Let us know what happens!