LonestarHP

I was in the process of replacing a bad fuel pump and discovered after removing everything from inside the tank that the wires that connect directly to the fuel pump and sending unit are melted and stuck together (even the plugs are no good). Has anyone ever experienced this or heard of it??? It can not be good since all of this is in the gas tank!!!!!

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Brian

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

How did you determine the the pump is "bad"??
1. Did it just quit?
2. Make alot of noise?
3. Work, but had low fuel volume?
4. Exterior parts of the harness damaged?
5. Excessively high FP? [regulator stuck]
6. Bad ground.
7. Tank vent clogged.
A couple thots:
A. Pump could have gone to a dead short, and the hi amp draw took out the wires.
B. The connectors were loose, and created a high heat source.
C. Fuel contamination, causing the pump to lock up.
D. Is there not a fuse for this circuit?

LonestarHP

Yes, it just quit while I was driving. I would guess that your first thought would probably be what happened because none of the connections were loose when I was removing it for replacement. Is there an easy and/or inexpensive way to replace those wires...does someone sell just the wiring harness since this seems to have happened for other people as well??? Thanks for the info!!

Brian

LonestarHP

Is this pretty common???? It seems that this could be a serious problem...melting and shorting out wires in fuel.

Brian

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

John Spina, at CASPERS Electronics.
He can likely help you w/ a replacement..
Here's a link:
http://www.casperselectronics.com/

HTH,

GOaT Cheese

Happens all the time. GM even issued a recall on certain vehicles to update the wiring harness. The wire gauge is too small for the amperage the fuel pump draws. Believe it or not it isn't a fire hazard due to the fact that there is very little oxygen in the fuel tank, the EVAP system usually maintains a vacuum in the tank while you are driving.

ellokote5

When Fuel pumps are on their way out, they draw more Amperage then it should causing the wires to over heat, and in your case melt.

Lubricant

This was probably one of the most important TSB's..
If your car was recalled for this, get it fixed immediatley.
The melted wires can become exposed, and if they are just the right distance from each other, a spark can jump and possibly ignite..
You dont want 14 gallons of gas igniting behind your ***.

LonestarHP

There was no recall that I could find....someone here told me that the recalls for this were not on our cars, it was on the some SUV's and someothers.

Your scenario is exactly what happend to me except for the igniting part (thank GOD!!) The wires were exposed and the actually touched eachother all the while sitting in 14 gallons of gas!!