fuel pump not working

[windn]

I have a 18ft 1997 Four Winns with a 4.3 volvo penta. Boat was running great all summer. I replaced the fuel/water separator and now the fuel pump is not running. I have filled the filter with fuel and siphoned some fuel through the fuel system in an attempt to prime the system. I am thinking there is a simple solution like a reset button somewhere. The same thing happened 2 seasons ago and I had to take it to the marina. They charged me $700 to replace the check valve on the tank and prime the system. Please help...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: fuel pump not working

What is your full model number? Need to know if you are fuel injected or carburated. Can you tell if your fuel pump is on while you are cranking? Have some one hold it while someone else attempts to start the engine.

Go up to the adults section and download a manual for whatever model you have. You more than likely have an "LK" or an "NC" series. Download the electrical manual firt and use that to troubleshoot the electrical aspect.

 

[windn]

Re: fuel pump not working

Thank you for the help...It is a very common 4.3 with a 2 barrel carb and an electric fuel pump. I have disconnected the fuel line after the pump and cranked it to see if it pumps and it doesn?t. I was winterizing the motor when this happened. I had the motor running in my driveway just fine. Turned it off to replace the fuel/water separator and started right up but only ran until the carb bowl went dry. Motor was shut off for 5 minutes tops.

 

[Don S]

Re: fuel pump not working

You could have a bad fuse, bad relay, bad wiring , or a bad pump. You can either start throwing parts at it in hopes you hit the bad one on the first try, or post your full model number or engines Volvo Serial number so we can help you troubleshoot your problem and find manuals.
Your choice. Waste money or free info for a model or SN. Which is it.

 

[windn]

Re: fuel pump not working

Sorry I don?t have the model#. It is a very common set up of a 4.3 I/O with a electric fuel pump and a 2 barrel carb. I disconnected the fuel line after the pump and cranked the motor to see if I would get fuel...nothing. I was winterizing the boat when this happened. Turned the motor off, changed the filter and it started right up and ran until the carb bowl went dry. I see dozens of posts on this site asking for help with the same problem. I know that the 2 sec prime mode only applies to EFI and I know that the pump only runs when the motor is running. I am fairly good with engines but this has stumped me twice now.

 

[Bondo]

Re: fuel pump not working

Ayuh,... Jumper 12v directly to the pump,.. Does it Work,..??
If so,... Work backwards...

 

[windn]

Re: fuel pump not working

Yes pump runs when jumped. My original though was a simple problem like a fuse or reset button somewhere. Keep in mind the motor was running great, still warm and only shut off for 5 minutes. The same thing happened before and the marina told me it was the check valve and it needed to be primed. I siphoned gas with my oil extractor to make sure the check valve is not clogged.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: fuel pump not working

Did you download the electrical sections of the model that you have? You will see that the fuel pump relay can get its coil voltage from either the L2 terminal of the alternator which turns the pump on when you are running or the start wire that also goes to a relay that feeds the starter solenoid.

One thing I would try is to take the wire off the L2 terminal of the alternator and apply 12V to it to see if the relay gets energized and in turn applies power to the fuel pump. This will tell you if your relay and the circuit breaker that applies power to the fuel pump is OK.

If that works, you need to see if there is voltage being applied while you turn the key to start. Keep in mind that there are diodes is both the wire coming from the start wire and the L2 terminal to keep each from back feeding each other.