After a heavy frost I went out to start the car and nothing. Turning over nicely as usual but no fire. Then I realised that the fuel pump was not charging. Silence. Where do I start? Read up on the manual and it mentions relays and a fuse. Replacing the pump is a costly last resort? Any suggestions please. The car is my 1991 coupe gt.

Edited 22 November, 201510 yr by c.w.pritchard

prob the relay

you try running a fused wire direct to the pump to confirm it will run

to bypass the relay jumper the 2 big terminals on it

prob the relay

you try running a fused wire direct to the pump to confirm it will run

to bypass the relay jumper the 2 big terminals on it

Disconnect the ECU before you try that, I've heard stories of people damaging the ECU doing this.

Check the yellow fuse (can't remember the rating) clipped above the main fuse box also. That is the fuse for the pumps.

have you tried starting it in a warmer temp

Fuse is 20 amp. Not sure if I want to try bypassing the relay. Not confident? Will try again tomorrow if the temperature is up. If not it's going to be the RAC.

Edited 22 November, 201510 yr by c.w.pritchard

Take it your fuel pump is not priming ? if you take the pump out you can bench test it like I did on my 91 gt it was dead..

cold start problems could also be electrical, so earths and ignition coil, condensation in the dizzy cap

if he says the pump doesnt make any sound thas a good place to start

Yes. I thought that but it is a costly item. Will need to find a replacement, either new or recycled. Anyone have any links or a spare they are willing to part with for a reasonable price. I am aware that the gt has to have a pump with the appropriate pressure. Let's see if it comes to that. Will check the electrical connection to the pump. Lots of water recently and then a heavy frost may have worked it free?

Well. My friendly RAC man has been and you won't believe what he found. Head under the bonnet with his multimeter for a few minutes and a couple of attempted starts by me and you won't guess the result. Corroded earth strap. The main strap to the body work looked fine from above and I have cleaned it up a while ago, but, he said it must be poor contact inside the connection part clamped to the cable. Suggested after 25 years all of the earths may have a similar condition. So, a trip to Halfords or VW will see a cure. Lack of earth meant no power to the pump. I must become more familiar with a multimeter, I have one but am not confident with its use. My job for the next few weeks. Cheap solution, I wasn't looking forward to a pricey fuel pump. Thanks for your support.

The guy said he had worked for VW Audi for many years and did a lot of work on early golfs and polos and came across this problem quite a few times over the years. So, advice to all early years owners is to replace earth straps even though they may look right. And he did mean all straps even the ones that went to the engine support mounts.

Edited 23 November, 201510 yr by c.w.pritchard

nice cheap fix then , i run a extra earth on my vw's as youve found out they can cause alot of problems

Yes, he did mention an extra cable but I wasn't sure where it ran from and ended up. Any help you can offer? Perhaps a photo or two and the materials needed such as the type of cable required. Many thanks again.

It is amazing what a simple earth strap can effect. Glad it is was a simple fix and running a couple extra earths won't hurt for the future.

I've always found the best way to test for poor earth connections is to hook a jump lead between the engine lift point and the battery negative. If whatever problem you're having solves itself with that then you know what the solution is.

Just what he said. Asked if I had jump leads? Yes I said, what an odd question? If you have trouble in future do exactly as you have said, negative pole to engine mount. Works a treat.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170Amp-Black-Red-Battery-Power-earth-Motor-Starter-Switch-Lead-Cable-upto-2438mm-/321919090158?var=&hash=item4af3df7dee:m:mNCUBgp3O764fn961UXcYtw

something like that , car parts shops will have them too

cant think off hand where i ran mine , any decent sized bolt on the engine/box to another bolt on the body will do it , make sure it wont strain as the engine moves around

ah thinking of it , mines on a gearbox bolt to the coil mount or near it

Edited 23 November, 201510 yr by steveo3002

Brilliant. Thanks a lot. Next job.

if youre feeling brave the alternator to starter wire isnt over specced from new , you could replace that too

would mean getting under the car though

Worth a go, I'll give it a try. Thanks

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/154/category/31

might do the same let us know how you get on , glad it sorted now..

Will do.

cold start problems could also be electrical, so earths and ignition coil, condensation in the dizzy cap

do i get a prize?

Top prize. Well done.

think people also run a earth direct from the battery neg to earth point for the lambda sensor to ensure it always has a decent connection

I put one from the long starter bolt to the battery negative. In my eyes it does the same as the jumper cable but hidden and permanent.