Fuel pump relay bad??

Swifty1638 · 11-30-2006

Every morning, when it's this cold out, my fuel pump doesn't wanna turn on. I start the car, and while I do that the pump is on. But, it doesn't wish to prime the car. Also, once the car finally fires up (because of cranking so long) the fuel pump relay clicks, pump shuts off, and the car eventually dies. This occurs about 7-8 times each morning, same proces, until the car finally clicks on, fuel pump stays on, and the car then runs fine. What the hell could the issue be? It's only when it's cold outside. I'm at a loss. I haven't heard of relays going bad because of cold weather. Keep in mind my car is a 255 hi lph pump, rewired. AEM EMS, NO interior at all cept for dash, seats and door panels-it's quite cold in the car. Anyone have ideas?

-A. Swift

**Kracka** · 11-30-2006

I have 2 spare relays you can try if you want, just swing over to my apt some night after work....I'm only 5 mins from Hopkins Honda.

Swifty1638 · 11-30-2006

REally? were is that? pm directions- i might stop by.

Anyone else have ideas to what it could be? I don't know if it is the relay, as it works fine when it's warm out. I just hear it click on n off. I also don't think it's the AEM because I can't see there being relays inside the ecu lol. I really wish to fix this, as trying to start the car 10 mins each morning get's REALLY old REALLY fast!

-A. Swift

**JET** · 11-30-2006

I had this same problem and it was a popped fuse. Check the alternator fuse and the fuses in the kick panel. I think mine was the Alt. fuse, but it was a few years ago. Check the trigger wire going to the back also. Now that I think about it, it may have been the main relay also.

Swifty1638 · 11-30-2006

well, i pulled the mpi relay(gold box, 9 wires, under radio). I hope keeping it warm helps..if those fuses where blown, then how could it have ever worked jet? My car starts, just after trying a few million times.

-A. Swift

Swifty1638 · 12-01-2006

Well, after plugging that little gold box back in this morning, it didn't do anything. The problem still exists. I thought having it sit in side overnight, to warm up woulda helped, but I guess not. I hear it clicking, and also the aem clicking, when the pump shuts off each time. Any other suggestions?

-A. Swift

**Kracka** · 12-01-2006

It wouldn't hurt to try a new relay.

Swifty1638 · 12-01-2006

yea, I think i'll try to get ahold of aaron's old relay outta his red shell tomorrow if he's up at LSE. Otherwise, I'll try to get ahold of you chris.

-A. Swift

Swifty1638 · 12-04-2006

I jsut put in a brand0new MPI resistor relay, and it STILL does the same damn thing! crank, crank, crank, finally starts, only for hte relay to click, fuel pump shuts off, and car dies. Over and over again. Anyone else with an idea? This is quite frusterating.

-A. Swift

**Halon** · 12-04-2006

Sounds like my car last fall, when my ECU was bad. Also, I'd check your coolant temp sensor. If it's bad, and is reading an absolutely ridiculous temperature, that will cause hard starting problems.

Swifty1638 · 12-04-2006

I don';t even know if the coolant temp sensor is still hooked up to be honest. It's running off the AEM EMS, s stated earlier. All I hear is teh relay clicking off, and then the car dying. I don't know what else could cause this. It's also only when it's cold, which now, is daily. this is annoying

**scheides** · 12-04-2006

See anything in your AEM logs that would help?

Swifty1638 · 12-04-2006

I can't hook up the aem. My laptop is taking a shit on me quite often. I honestly don't think it's anything like that. Something is shutting the fuel pump off everytime the car finally starts, after cranking over soo long. But, once you do it like 13 times each morning, then the car will finally fire up. It's weird.

-A. Swift

**Kracka** · 12-04-2006

I'm guessing its an ECU issue pointing directly towards the AEM.

Swifty1638 · 12-04-2006

how? what could it be?

-A. Swift

**Kracka** · 12-04-2006

I don't know, but it has to be something controlling the signal to the relay/pump. Could you try swapping in a stock ECU just to see how well it starts up?

Swifty1638 · 12-04-2006

I dont have one, and i know that with the cams and everything else the car has i doubt i'd be able to single the ecu out as an issue

**JET** · 12-05-2006

There is a box that can get unchecked that would cause that issue in the AEM. That is supposed to be fixed in the later versions though. I can't remember what box that is, I know Shane would know and probably Swanny. the AEM forums should pull it up also.

Honestly I would check the Alt. fuse. Damn cars will act like they are possessed if that goes!

Swifty1638 · 12-05-2006

ok. Thanks jet.

If anyone knows what box this is he speaks of, please come forward!

-A. Swift

**scheides** · 12-05-2006

Tools -> startup procedure -> 'when cold don't hard start'

...be sure it's unchecked