Just stopped!!! maybe fuel pump relay PLEASE HELP!!!!

Hi everyone, need some urgent assistance.

Last night on my way home I was driving along and the engine just died.

I have a 1988 1.8GTI Cabby and I managed to push it into a bus stop to get it out of traffic. Tried to start several times with no joy, checked the spark at no1 cyclinder by pulling off the HT lead and putting an allen key in and connecting to rocker cover, it was ok.
Luckily had an adjustable in the car and took off the fuel to the WUR and I got a burst of fuel, so thought better turn it over and see if we have the pump working - NOTHING.
Therefore I had to nip to ASDA and buy some paperclips so I could bridge the fuel pump terminals (thanks to prowler test), did this, the fuel pump run and then the car started and I managed to get home.

I'm thinking that the relay is to blame, but I'm not sure now, I went out at lunch and connected 12v to the relay to pull in the main contact to the pump and it works fine… I have 12volt at the terminal when the ignition is on, so I'm thinking that it maybe the feed from the coil.

I have ordered a new relay just incase, but I'm concerned it maybe a waste of time (always good to have a spare).

I've not done much with the ignition yet, becasue it's not broken, can anybody give me some tips to check this feed and where the connections are?

And any other thoughts?

PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!!

To proove he relay or relay control us a juper between the big relay postson the fuse box - if the pump runs and the car starts it's a relay or relay control issue.

Is the pump running anyway - should be able to hear it under the driver's rear.

Cheers

Rich

Richard,

I have already done that, bridge the large terminals and the pump works fine, that's how I got home last night, that's ones thanks to you when I was sorting out my injectors and system pressure.

I think it's the relay, but want to make sure.

Sorry didn't answer that one fully.

The pump doesn't run when I'm trying to start the car, it only runs when I bridge the terminals.

Prid,

I'd put money on the relay unless one of your wires has come off/broken around the coil.

Btw - we sell relays

Cheers

Rich

Rich,

OK will go with that, I'll have a look tonight (if I can see) and let you know tomorrow.

Thanks Richard.


Paul Prideaux.

check your ignition barrel,  i had a switch go faulty on me which had simular problems.

Thanks for all your help, the problem was the fuel pump relay.

I got a new one delivered this morning, popped it in and hey presto.

Thanks again everybody.