how do i know if its a bad fuel pump

Asked by Tracy Dec 18, 2016 at 08:53 PM about the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan SE FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2002 dodge minivan 3.3
i was told it was a bad fuelpump
The van was running a little rough but still starting each morning.
Prior to the morning it wouldnt start i was smelling gas inside my vehicle
usually right after pumping gas into the tank.
this gas smell went on for about four weeks than suddenly the smell wasnt
happening anymore.
i run my tank pretty low and the evening before the morning it wouldnt
start, i ran it to almost empty in -0 temp. The van sat for a couple hrs until i
went to the gas station to put gas into it. I drove about 10 miles that
evening and parked it for the night.
The next morning it would only crank but not start. It seemed to me that it
wasnt getting spark or it wasnt getting gas, so i quit trying to start it before i
ran down the battery. i dont ever haave to give it gas when starting it but
this morning i tried pumping the gas peddel but no gas smell.
What are these symptoms telling me?


1 Answer

505

Easiest way to diagnose a fuel pump is to have someone kneel by the rear of the vehicle and listen for it to turn on when you turn the ignition from "accessory" to the "Run" position. Don't try and start the van, just turn the ignition to "run". You would also want to try and replace the fuel filter. It's inexpensive and usually pretty simple to do. Running the tank low in very cold weather can cause moisture to build up in the gas tank, and running low puts stress on the pump and can also suck in dirt and debris causing damage or clogging filters and fuel injectors.

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