I just bought another FC...GXL with 172,336 miles.

Well, first off, there's no audible priming from the fuel pump...so needless to say, it just turns over to no avail. The P.O. said that it did run until he tried to replace the logicon (Which is inop, other than the recirc/pass-thru button).

Tried swapping in a 5 month old pump from my friend's '87 Base, but there's still nothing when you turn the key. If you try and start it, it just spins and spins with the little consistent pops from the exhaust (A good sign, as there are no gaps). Though he said the first time I tried to actually fire up the motor, there was a very small white vapor or smoke coming out the exhaust. He does not remember what it smelled like, either.
The car has been sitting for four months.

So I'm pretty sure it's just not getting power...

 

The fuel pump only runs when the key is HELD to START or if the engine actually is running. It does not run just because the key is put to ON.

It will also run if the key is put to ON AND the fuel pump check connector is jumpered. See the FSM, fuel section.

 

The fuel pump primes when the key is switched to 'on'. It does in every car I've ever driven. It only comes on to prime for a second, and it's off again.

Read my post again. I'm saying that it doesn't work at all...but I tried a known good pump into it, and that didn't prime or come on either. So I'm thinking it's just not getting power.

I also tried the check jumper. Still nothin'.

 

The fuel pump does not "prime". It never has and it never will. Like the man said, it only gets power when the engine is cranking or running.

First check the 15A ENGINE fuse. It poweres the fuel pump. If that's okay, check for voltage at the pump. With the check connector jumpered and the ignition on, is there 12V on the blue wire at the fuel pump plug? If not, look at the wiring diagram and check every point in the circuit until you fond where the power stops.

 

In every car iv'e driven the fuel pump primes the system for a few seconds (bout 2 or 3 seconds) and iv'e driven quite a few seemin as im a mechanic (well apprentice but still). The only cars that don't prime are the ones with mechanical fuel pumps cos it would be a bit difficult for them

 

I owned a MGA that had a hand crank to start the engine. Every car I'd driven up to that time had a hand crank. Where's the hand crank on the RX?

 

Sitting in the driver's seat.

Read the FSM.

 

Jump the test connector as instructed in the FSM and then turn the key to IGN. Now start following down the line checking for power at the fuel pump. Check the circuit opening relay for voltage at it's input and output, test the connector at the pump. 12V but no pump? Pump is bad.

No 12V? Electrical problem. Check the 15A engine fuse, and the main relay.

 

It turns out, my friend's battery we were using to try and get the car started was on it's last leg and there just wasn't enough juice for anything. Lights worked, the starter turned over...I guess it just couldn't run everything. With the car/battery on my charger here at home, I get a little hum from the fuel pump like my previous FCs.

Car runs though. Very well.

 

Smarty. I hope your ATP sensor fails to 30,000 ft while your at full boost. humor

 

Even if I believed this claim (and I don't, sorry), the FC's pump doesn't "prime", and it's completely unnecessary anyway.

 

The fuel pump does not prime on either series four nor series five. Never have, never will. I own several series four and I tried a series five out the last week to see if they are different. Series five do not *prime* either. Prime in this case being defined as just turning the key to On and the pump running.

I'm here to beat this damn Prime Horse to death and make him into dog food.