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How do I troubleshoot fuel pump system?

1567 Views 6 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  Benno192, 
B
We just purchased this Forester; it was missing on all 4 cylinders, but we drove it 70 miles to home. I ordered the plugs, wires, and coil for it, and my wife drove it around town and to work for a week until the parts arrived. Due to the bolts being rusted under the hood (like on the air intake assembly), it was a chore to change the plugs, but we did. After changing all the electrical, we tested it, and the car ran much better.
However, the next day when we went to drive it, the engine would not start. From watching various YouTube videos, I am 90% sure the fuel pump is not working. (I do not hear it when I stand by the gas tank and my wife turns the key.) Unfortunately, I can not find a video for troubleshooting that on a like year /model Subaru, so the tips do not help much. I do not have an owners' manual.
Here are some of my issues: I do not see a Schroeder valve on the fuel rack to attach a gauge or check compression. I can not find a fuse labeled for the fuel pump. I do not see a relay that would control the fuel pump. I found a video for changing a fuel pump in an '03 Forester, but it requires a lot of work, and I do not know whether my '01 is in the same place, nor if the actual fuel pump is bad. I find the coincidence of the fuel pump failing right after I changed the coil and plugs too high, so I feel it is probably just a fuse, but I can't locate where it is.
Any help at all would be great.
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2.5x_sleeper
@Benno192 I see this is your first forum post, so welcome to the forum from Oregon! :biggrin:

Do you hear the fuel pump run... pressurize the system when you turn the ignition key to run? :confused:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
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B
I knew I forgot to add something in my post. When standing next to the fuel tank, and having my wife turn the key, No, I do not hear the fuel pump.
Now, after posting, I went and bought the Haynes repair manual, but it has only helped a little. I was able to locate the fuse (#11) and it is still good. I think I located the fuel pump relay (it isn't exactly where the manual says, nor does it look quite the same), but it clicks when the ignition is turned. I barely able to touch it, so I was not able to unplug it to verify voltage. The next step in the manual is to check the voltage at the fuel pump, but they left out any diagrams or pictures of the rear cargo area, which is where I am supposed to access the fuel pump. I did find a video showing an 04 Legacy, and it should be nearly the same as my car. I am going to attempt to access it now.
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2.5x_sleeper
@Benno192 looking at the fuel pump R&R procedure for the '99-'02, it looks to be the same as the '03-'08, with some minor differences stating in '05 when the fuel filter was moved into the tank. :mad:

Take a look at this write up in my son's '03 X Member Journal which will be pretty close to what you have in the '02. :wink:

Walbro GSS342 fuel pump upgrade.

There's also this thread you might want to peruse: Fuel pump not working - SOLVED!

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
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B
I checked power coming into the fuel pump, based on the video, and it does not appear to be getting any power. this leads me back to the relay, if I can figure out which one it is. The wiring diagram from your post seems to help; if I am reading it correctly, there are only 2 sets of relays in 3 sets; all the others are more or fewer than 3.
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2.5x_sleeper
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Perhaps this will help. :wink:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

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B
Thank you very much, that helps tons. Once I get the car running again, I get to troubleshoot a brake fluid leak.
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