Wiring for a fuel pump is an important aspect to ensure that the proper quantity of electrical power is received by the pump for correct functioning. The wiring system typically consists of a relay, fuse, and the necessary electrical connectivities that would eventually connect the Fuel Pump with the vehicle’s ECU. The relay acts as an interface to enable the drawing of power by the Fuel Pump from the battery without overloading the circuit. This wiring system is designed to feed the Fuel Pump a voltage supply from 12 to 14 volts, which is very important in maintaining consistent fuel pressure, usually in the range of 30 to 80 psi, depending upon the requirement of the engine.
A fuse forms one of the basic components involved in wiring for a Fuel Pump. A typical fuse of 20 to 30 amps would usually be provided for serving the Fuel Pump circuit against power electrical surges or any sort of short circuits. In case it blows, no power will reach the Fuel Pump, and further damages to the system are prevented. Most often, a blown fuse would just mean you have faulty wiring in the system or something is wrong with your Fuel Pump. It would be very important to repair or replace the wiring to avoid this from happening in the future, thus avoiding expensive repairs ranging from $400 to $800 for the replacement of the Fuel Pump.
Faulty wiring also causes intermittent Fuel Pump failure and could cause engine stalling or poor performance. This is due, in most cases, to worn-out connectors or corroded wiring. High-mileage cars and those continuously subjected to adverse environmental conditions could suffer from these. A case was the recall Ford did in 2018 for faulty wiring in the Fuel Pump of certain models; this resulted in engine stalling and required considerable disassembly and modification.
Most automotive experts recommend that periodic inspection of the Fuel Pump wiring be performed, looking for any frayed or damaged areas. Upgrading poor-quality or worn-out connectors to new ones, or even upgrading to heavier-gauge wiring, is common advice for increased performance in high-performance vehicles or modified ones. As an example, most performance enthusiasts upgrade their Fuel Pump wiring to handle higher currents, allowing for the pump to deliver adequate amounts of fuel at higher flow rates for modified engines.
As Henry Ford once said, “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” For the Fuel Pump to function properly and safely in the long run, it has to be wired correctly.
For detailed information regarding wiring on Fuel Pumps and its relation to vehicle performance, log on to Fuel Pump.