Hey everyone,
I think my fuel pump is going bad because my car cranks but won’t start. I don’t hear the fuel pump priming, and I’m getting no fuel pressure at the rail.
I know replacing the pump is the right fix, but I need to get the car started just one more time to move it or get it to a shop. Are there any tricks or temporary fixes that might help?
Would appreciate any tips! Thanks.
Hey man,
If your fuel pump is failing but you need to get the car started one last time, you can try a few temporary tricks:
Turn the key multiple times – Cycle the key to the “On” position a few times before cranking. This might help build some pressure if the pump is weak.
Bang on the fuel tank – Sometimes, tapping the bottom of the fuel tank with a rubber mallet while someone cranks the engine can jolt a weak pump into working.
Use starting fluid – Spray a small amount of starting fluid into the intake or throttle body. If the engine fires up briefly, it confirms a fuel delivery issue.
Check the fuel pump relay and fuse – A bad relay or blown fuse could be the real issue, so swap the relay with another one from the fuse box if possible.
Bypass the fuel pump – If your car allows, you could try wiring the fuel pump directly to a power source to force it to run.
These aren’t permanent fixes, but they might get your car running long enough to move it or get it to a shop.
Hope this helps—good luck!