Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Low power query for Fuel Pump (2002 4/4)

Here's a conundrum.....

Yesterday enjoyed a trip to MK Museum (well worth a return visit) and then on to Silverstone to see VSCC Racing and Morgan Challenge. Good fun (if not a little lacking in other viewing/racing in the afternoon).

Car ran a dream as ever, got home ready 'for us tea' and decided that it was time for the Hard Top come off for the season (apparently we will soon be in Spring!!).

Admittedly the doors were a jar allowing the small LED courtesy lights that I had fitted to be on for a while (as I waited for SWMBO to lend a hand to lift off roof). When sorted I then attempted to start the car. It started spluttered and then died. Repeated starting and it wouldnt catch. I immediately suspected fuel starvation and noticed that the fuel pump didnt whir into action. I tried the relay / fuses and seemed all OK and eventually gave up and attempted to push it back into garage. We have a bit of an incline and the last step into the garage was a struggle so I relented to using the starter to yump it in reverse so suggests there was plenty of power in the battery. i left the trickle chargeer on as usual overnight.

I wondered about power supplies over night and searched for info on fuel pumps (very little by the way on GoMOG or Morganatica or here!) so had a troubled night.

I went into garage this morning with a heavy heart and decided to give it a go. Hey presto it fired on first pull!!!

Is there a critical power requirement to fire the Fuel Pump if so it must be quite high.

I have an OMEX ECU and Throttle Bodies but not sure if the Fuel Pump is managed external to this setup.

Any observations gratefully received.

My first action would be to replace the fuel pump relay.
It might just be faulting prior to failing?

Not sure what fuel lines you have but my braided had a small leak on the pipe from the tank to the pump .The result was that it would not draw fuel or click when trying to start.
Also the connector to the pump was a little loose.
Worth a look

I have similar problems sometimes starting in damp conditions, if it does not fire first time. If i do get it to start it tick over is lumpy.

This may not be relevant as my car has a very simple fuelling ECU but the cure for me is to turn off the red kill switch for a few seconds to reset the ECU and it will fire and run fine. Bit like turning off your computer from the wall.
Agree to check fuel lines for leak or perishing rubber sucking in air.

My 1993 4/4 had fuelling issues due to a failing pump.
I replaced it. At the same time I did some tidying up. Drained and flushed the tank. Fitted new flexible pipes. Fitted a filter between tank and new pump for protection. New main filter under the bonnet.
I think the pump was affected by some bits of crud from the tank. Electrical contacts all cleaned up..
Due to the age of the car I decided to do the non pump jobs as a belt and braces exercise. The engine running issues disappeared.
It got me thinking....I put new ignition leads on later as the old ones were originals ( looked like it anyway).
The leads were standard from eurocarparts. The pump was a Bosch...the most expensive bit to buy (£50 -ish).

One other thing I just thought of . If the voltage drops below 11.8v most cars ECU's will not operate. I am not sure if this is the case here but it could be a factor ??

Gajet

I have started another thread following further investigations

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