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View Full Version : 1998 Honda Accord will not start (I think it's the fuel pump)


dwtuggle
Mar 23, 2009, 05:19 PM
Okay, about two weeks ago the car started sputtering while driving down the road. I got it back home and the next day it wouldn't start at all, but fires great. I replaced the main relay last year and still had the old one so I switched them out and the symptoms remain. I have been listening to the tank and can barely hear the fuel pump running so I popped the trunk and unhooked the fuel line that feeds the motor and had someone try to start it and sure enough, gas shot out. I could place my finger over the line though and stop the fuel from coming out (seems like low pressure)

So, my wife has almost the same car 2000 Accord so I listened to her fuel pump and can hear it much louder. I also unhooked her gas line and placed my finger over the line and I could not stop the fuel from coming out. (high pressure)

So, with all of that said, does the fuel pump seem bad on my car. Does low pressure mean that the pump is bad, or would there be no pressure at all?

Thanks for any advice on this... I'm about to buy a pump (Ebay 50) just to see, but I think that I'm on the right track...

Dt

TxGreaseMonkey
Mar 23, 2009, 05:28 PM
This link will give you an idea of what the fuel pressure is supposed to be:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-4.html#post356988

Once you install the new fuel pump, change the fuel filter. Even though the Honda manual normally recommends changing them every 60,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first, many Honda dealers never change them for customers.

dwtuggle
Mar 23, 2009, 08:52 PM
Thanks for the reply. I actually don't have a gauge to test the pressure and I really hate the thoughts of trying to get my hands on one, but I will if necessary. The fuel filter is actually built into the fuel pump, or inside the tank, from what I've read on these accords.

I guess my real question is about the pressure coming from that pump. Do you think that I should be able to block it off with my finger like I did? Like I said, my other accord will not hardly allow me to do this because the pressure is too high. Would that amount of pressure difference warrant a new pump, or is it normal for a bad pump to still pump anything (ie: will a bad fuel pump, pump at all?)

Thanks again,

TxGreaseMonkey
Mar 24, 2009, 04:59 AM
The pressure seems real low to me. If you can change the internal filter/strainer, the pump may be good:

Filter Strainer Elec.Pump - Advance Auto Parts (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/partlist_Filter-Strainer-Elec.Pump_1052_R%7CGRPFUE2AMS__fuel%20pump___)

I have never seen a bad Honda fuel pump--they are very reliable. Be sure to disconnect the negative battery terminal first, do the work outside, and keep a fire extinguisher handy.