Date:         Mon, 10 Apr 2000 09:33:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Sullivan <Steve@NORTHWESTWATCH.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Sullivan <Steve@NORTHWESTWATCH.ORG>
Subject:      Fuel pump dead? Help!!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I could really use the help of you mechanics out there! In the middle of
replacing my fuel lines the fuel pump seems to have mysteriously died.
Strange coincidence, so before I spend $150 on a new one, please help me be
sure that's the problem.

A few weeks ago I parked my perfectly-running 1984 1.9L van in the garage
for maintenance.  I replaced engine compartment fuel lines, fuel filter,
injector seals, spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, plus the battery. First
time I try to start it, won't. Cranks nicely though. Juice running through
the spark plugs. (And through my body for a second there, but that's another
story. Ouch.)

Always before, when I turn the key "on," there are two "buzzt" sounds that
don't come from the engine compartment, which I assume are from the fuel
pump. Now, all I get are two clicks.

I confirmed that the pump is getting power with a circuit tester: power goes
to the pump for two one-second bursts when key turned "on" and then is on
continuously when engine cranked. There is no gas getting to the engine,
I've disconnected hoses and nothing comes out. Fuel does seems to be coming
through the new filter (installed the correct direction) but no farther.

Here's the odd part. I've hooked a hot wire to the pump directly. No pumping
sounds. But when I plug the hot wire onto the pump, while the connection is
not quite made there is some arcing as electricity jumps the gap and the
pump makes noise! It sounds like it's trying to pump, but just one or two
revolutions. But when the power is connected nothing happens.

It seems extremely odd to say the least that the pump would work when shut
down before these repairs, and suddenly not work at all. Everything is
hooked up correctly, and I did nothing to the pump itself.

Questions, in order of importance:

1) Will the pump not work if it's empty? Does it need to be primed? If so,
how?

2) Does the pump make noise when it's running?

3) Is it seem normal for it do coincidentally die now and with no reason?

4) How else can I test the pump? What am I overlooking?

Many thanks, my budget is running low and I need this thing running ASAP.

Steve