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Classic/Antique Car Repair/fuel pump reinstallation

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Expert: - 12/4/2008


Question
On my Jaguar XJ12L I had to depressurize the fuel pump by disconnecting the 85 terminal of the fuel pump relay(I disconnected the hot lead to the fuel pump instead) and the ignition ciol wire lead, then turning over the starter for a few seconds. After installation of the replacement fuel pump(which I was assured it is good), I reconnected coil wire and turned starter over but car would not fire and start running. I even tried depressurizing again, this time with the 85 fuel pump relay terminal wire and ignition coil wire. Car still would not start. Did I leave a step out? How can I remedy this? Before pump swap, the car started every time.

Answer
If the pump was working why did you replace it? In this case I would get my trusty test light or voltmeter and make sure that the relay was feeding voltage to the pump. Also make sure that you did not interupt theground to the pump. If so I would install the old pump and try to start the car. If it started, guess what, the pump that you were assured was good, is anything but.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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