2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

What is spec voltage at fuel pump with engine off?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-07-10, 04:23 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
rx7dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is spec voltage at fuel pump with engine off?

I've searched the forum, but I only found that the voltage at idle is 12V at the fuel pump? What is the voltage if the engine isn't running?

My car cranks, but doesn't start. There is spark, but there is no fuel pressure measured after the fuel filter. There is 9V measured at the blue wire at the fuel pump connector with the check connector jumped. Is 9V too low? Would this cause 0 fuel pressure?
Old 12-07-10, 04:37 PM
  #2  
Top Down, Boost Up

iTrader: (7)
 
RotaryRocket88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Year/model?

If your car has a fuel pump resistor/relay, voltage will be 9V at times and 12V+ at other times. You can find this info in the FSM.
Old 12-07-10, 04:47 PM
  #3  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
rx7dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1988 gxl
Old 12-07-10, 04:53 PM
  #4  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
satch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: tulsa,ok.
Posts: 11,738
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Check the ground wire as well. Jumper a ground wire to it if need be.
Old 12-07-10, 05:24 PM
  #5  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (6)
 
Nick_d_TII's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 1,620
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
With the engine off and the key off the voltage should be 0V.

Either you have a weak pump that won't spin on 9V or fuel pressure regulator is wack causing 0 psi.

You can bypass the resistor which gets you a straight shot from the Main relay to the pump and constant +12v. Fixed my problem.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...pressure+issue

Good luck!
Old 12-07-10, 06:40 PM
  #6  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,827
Received 2,595 Likes on 1,843 Posts
all rx7's newer than 1983 should see 0v at the fuel pump with the engine off.

engine running on an 84-88 non turbo is 12v*. the 89-95's and 86-88 turbo should be 9v*

*the actual number will vary a bit, depending on alternator voltage and the voltage drop in the circuit. higher is better though
Old 12-07-10, 06:52 PM
  #7  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
rx7dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just checked the black wire at the fuel pump connector. It has a good ground. Also tried jumping to the negative battery terminal with no luck. I can't even hear the fuel pump priming up.

Nick_d_TII: I'll try your suggestion tomorrow to get the constant 12V. After that, I'm gonna replace the fuel pump.

Is it usually the case that the fuel pump would die completely like that? I figure it should give at least some pressure.
Old 12-07-10, 07:09 PM
  #8  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
rx7dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nick_d_TII: I guess the N/As should have 12V to the fuel pump like j9fd3s said. In the wiring diagram, it shows that N/As do no have the relay and resistor to bring it down to 9V.

I wonder why mine is at 9V. If my fuel pump is good, I should still get some fuel pressure at 9V right?
Old 12-07-10, 07:14 PM
  #9  
Top Down, Boost Up

iTrader: (7)
 
RotaryRocket88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Yes, S4 NAs do not have the fuel pump resistor/relay, so 9V at the pump means a poor connection somewhere along the wiring. You should still get pressure with low voltage; just not much.
Old 12-07-10, 08:16 PM
  #10  
Retired Moderator, RIP

iTrader: (142)
 
misterstyx69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 0
Received 131 Likes on 114 Posts
Have you verified that there is Fuel after the Filter?..Before the Filter?...after the secondary rail?
Old 12-07-10, 09:07 PM
  #11  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
rx7dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is no fuel after the filter, not even a little. Therefore, there shouldn't be fuel after the secondary rail, right? I haven't checked for fuel before the filter, but since I don't hear the fuel pump priming, I figured there wouldn't be fuel there either.
Old 12-07-10, 10:01 PM
  #12  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
satch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: tulsa,ok.
Posts: 11,738
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
A troubled voltage wire could deliver voltage but not the proper amount of amps. If the wire had a single strand left to it for example, the voltage would still pass through but not enough amps to power up the pump. If you did measure for voltage the proper place to choose from would be the fuel pump side of the harness and not the rear side of the harness.
Old 12-07-10, 10:16 PM
  #13  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
rx7dreams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm shopping around for used fuel pumps on the forum as we speak. Is it likely that I'm not getting enough amps through the fuel pump and the voltage readings are misleading? If so, I will hold off buying a pump until I can get an amp reading. As for checking for voltage, shouldn't it be the same voltage on the fuel pump side as the rear side of the harness as long as there is continuity through the harness? By harness, do you mean the connector?
Old 12-07-10, 10:28 PM
  #14  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
satch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: tulsa,ok.
Posts: 11,738
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Originally Posted by rx7dreams
I'm shopping around for used fuel pumps on the forum as we speak. Is it likely that I'm not getting enough amps through the fuel pump and the voltage readings are misleading? If so, I will hold off buying a pump until I can get an amp reading. As for checking for voltage, shouldn't it be the same voltage on the fuel pump side as the rear side of the harness as long as there is continuity through the harness? By harness, do you mean the connector?
The connector joins the rear harness and the pump pigtail. The connector could be problematic such that the voltage barely passes through the connector. And bringing a 12 volt source to the pump as stated earlier is a good idea to check the condition of the pump. You could also take the voltage reading on the Blue wire further up stream at the Circuit Opening relay located under the dash and just to the right of the steering wheel. The relay, yellow in color, houses the Blue wire in the top right position of the plug. With the fuel check connector jumpered and the key to on, the Blue wire at the relay should read 12 volts.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
07-01-23 04:40 PM
immanuel__7
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
89
09-05-15 10:23 AM
befarrer
Microtech
3
08-22-15 05:52 PM



Quick Reply: What is spec voltage at fuel pump with engine off?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:19 AM.