If your vehicle struggles to move especially on freeways, or you notice signs that your car is not getting enough fuel, the cause may be a clogged or clogged fuel line, filter, pump or injector. If your car engine won't start at all, here are some tests you can do to determine if the cause is the components mentioned above. Read on from Step 1 to find out.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Performing an Electrical Test
Step 1. Check the fuel pump fuse
Often it's not the fuel pump that's the problem, but the power that drives it. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out where the fuse box is, and find which fuse protects the fuel pump. Unplug the fuse and check if it still works. If the connector is broken or burned, then it is no longer working. If the fuse is still good, check the condition of the other fuses connected to the fuel system and replace them if necessary.
- If you must replace a fuse, make sure the replacement has the same Amperage rating, and never replace it with a fuse with a larger Amperage rating.
- If you find a blown fuse, it could be a sign of a large current consumption and you need to check the electrical circuits in your vehicle. Have someone turn the power on and off while you check each circuit or take your vehicle to a repair shop for inspection.
Step 2. Check the voltage of the fuel pump itself
Just because you've fixed a problem with the electrical circuit doesn't mean the problem with the fuel pump is over, so you should also check the voltage at the fuel pump itself. Read your vehicle's service manual for where and what is the correct procedure for checking voltage.
Check the source voltage to determine if the appropriate mains voltage reaches the fuel pump, after passing through the fuse
Step 3. Perform a voltage drop test using a voltmeter
Check to make sure that the electrically charged wires have full voltage and that the ground wires are working properly. If this test doesn't show any suspicious results, then the problem is with the fuel pump and it needs to be replaced, although in fact you can still perform a pressure test to further confirm that the fault is correct with the fuel pump.
If the results show a difference greater than 1 Volt, it means there is a rusty wire, or there is a problem with one of the positive or negative circuits. Take it to a repair shop for inspection and follow-up
Method 2 of 2: Performing a Fuel Pressure Test
Step 1. Rule out the possibility that the cause is a filter
If the fuel filter is clogged with deposits, your vehicle will have problems driving and you may think that the fault is with the fuel pump. To ensure that the filter is not problematic, remove the filter, attach a small rubber hose to the inlet pipe and blow it out. Note that the resistance at the outlet pipe must be minimal. Check the filter element for deposits and replace the filter if necessary.
Step 2. Using a fuel pressure gauge
This tool is easily available at most auto parts stores for Rp.250,000, 00 to Rp.400,000, - and is worth having because it can be used on almost all makes and models of vehicles. If you don't want to buy one, you can usually borrow one from an auto or machine repair shop that has one. This test only takes a few minutes.
Step 3. Install the pressure gauge at the fuel pump connection
Locate your vehicle's fuel pump, which is usually near the carburetor or injector, and look for where it connects to the filter housing. There should be a small joint, which can be used to attach the fuel pressure gauge.
Different types of gauges may have slightly different installation instructions. Likewise, the location of the fuel pump may vary from vehicle to vehicle, so you should refer to the vehicle owner's manual for more specific instructions
Step 4. Ask someone else to help step on the gas while you look at the gauge
Warm up the vehicle engine, then pay attention to the pressure at idle and when it reaches the speed specified in the fuel pump specifications. If you don't know the specs, just play with the gas of the vehicle and observe how the pressure is generated. If the pressure gauge doesn't move at all, you have a big problem: the fuel pump needs to be replaced.
