Author Topic: Sitting too long sieze up fuel pump? (Read 3810 times)

Konrad · « **on:** April 09, 2009, 01:57:26 AM »

I am trying to get a 1998 GT that has been sitting for over 2 years going. It turns over but does not start. I thought possibly the fuel was in bad shape and was going to drain the tank by attaching a fuel hose to the fuel filter and putting that in a jerry can and turning the key to empty the tank. The fuel pump does not appear to run at all though. A friend of mine has a 1997 GT and I can clearly hear the whine of a fuel pump when it is running. When the I turn the key on this car I hear nothing and no fuel comes out. I checked the fuses also and they are fine. I also checked the fuel shut off switch in the trunk and it is fine as well.
Can anyone think of any other problem this could be or can I be pretty well certain the fuel pump is shot and is this likely to happen simply from sitting too long?
Secondly, the tank appears to be quite simple to drop from the car. It looks like four bolts and detaching the fuel lines and pump wiring. I realize a tank of fuel is heavy so of course have to be careful with it. Is it as simple as it looks?

Help with this would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Konrad

Soaring · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2009, 03:46:24 PM »

Two years is quite a while for fuel to be sitting in a tank. It goes bad, and starts to turn into what looks like laquer. It also has a bad smell to it. Yes, there are just a few bolts holding the tank on. Get a floor jack under it though. If you are not hearing the pump when the car is trying to start, then you can pretty much believe the wiring to the pump is shorted out, or the pump itself is seized up. The wiring to the pump has a clip where you can take it apart. Get a multi-meter and check to make sure you are getting juice to the pump before removing the pump.
Good luck with her.....

Konrad · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2009, 11:41:36 PM »

I talked to the dealer today and apparently if these cars lose all battery power (which it has) they can lose the key coding for the immobilizer. I thought that meant it wouldn't even turn over but it seems that these Mustangs WILL turn over the not send any power to the fuel pump. I will probably try to get it recoded for the keys first. Anyone able to verify this?

Soaring · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2009, 04:25:48 AM »

Quote from: Konrad on April 09, 2009, 11:41:36 PM

I talked to the dealer today and apparently if these cars lose all battery power (which it has) they can lose the key coding for the immobilizer. I thought that meant it wouldn't even turn over but it seems that these Mustangs WILL turn over the not send any power to the fuel pump. I will probably try to get it recoded for the keys first. Anyone able to verify this?

That sounds reasonable.