A fuse was blown in the fuel pump circuit resulting in no start. Replacing the fuse resolved the issue but I am not comfortable until finding the root cause. Will this generate codes in the ECM that can help? If so what are the most probable codes? Any other suggestions to diagnose?

 

TGC, I know this is not what you probably want to hear, but fuses do "wear out". What I mean by this is that fuses that see a lot of current near their limit will undergo a thinning of the metal (fuseable link) part of the fuse. This will cause the fuse to open at a lower and lower current over time until it thins enough that the normal current is enough to open the fuse. This is why occasionally you will have a random electrical fault that replacing the fuse corrects the issue with no other work being needed.

If you are truely worried, keep a spare fuse inside the car (should have some in there anyways) for the fuel pump and then if it blows again in the next few months, you can then replace the fuse and get it to a shop to fix.

As for codes, all the codes that you would get will say something to the effect of "no power to fuel pump". Without putting a multimeter to the car, it isn't going to tell you much.

 

Hello all. Earnestly hoping someone would help out on this before I get skinned bone-dry by a dubious autoelectrician trying to capitalise on my shallow knowledge of the subject matter:

3 weeks ago, on a rainy day (it always rain on this part of the earth - I am in the UK), on gear 2 while negotiating a bend, my jag all of a sudden lost engine power. Tried restarting, could hear the starter was ok, but couldnt get the engine up and running. Called the emergency rescue. The lad carried out some diagnostics and ah! the fuel pump fuse was discovered blown. We replaced the fuel pump fuse with a new one and there we go: started the car, the engine was up and running. Drove for above 2 miles from that spot and while on a downhill section of the road, got the car to gear 2 to slow down, the engine went dead! Stopped, checked the fuel pump fuse: it was blown again. Replaced with a new one, started the car, engine up and running fine again. Drove 5 miles to a petrol stating, added more fuel just in case. On my way out of the petrol station, again on low speed (gear 1 or 2), again, engine stopped. Checked the fuel pump fuse, blown! Replaced with a new one, started the car, all fine, was up and running. Drove home 10 miles away without any problem. All these in a single night, 3 weeks ago.

Since then, all was fine. The car ran well with no signs of trouble, until 3 days ago when the engine suddenly stopped working just after a roundabout, again at low speed. Checked the fuel pump fuse, it was blown. Replaced the fuse with a new one, started the car, hoping to get it up and running as in previous cases, but nop! It did not. Checked the fuel pump fuse, it was blown! Replaced with a new one, tried starting the car, no success, checked the fuse again, blown! Replaced with new and tried starting... until I had 6 fuses blown without even getting the engine to run, just by trying to start the car. I abandoned the car. That was about 6pm. 10am the next morning, got a new fuse, replaced and bingo! engine was running fine again, though not for long. 3 times after that, there were similar sudden engine failure-fuel pump fuse blown-fuse replacement-engine up and running until a point when it became just fuel pump fuse blown-fuse replacement-engine start up attempt-fuel pump fuse blown. In total, the fuel pump fuse got blown about 17 times since first incident 3 weeks ago.

I do apologize for the long post but my main question is: what could be wrong: some dodgy run-away short-circuit or connections or the fuel pump needs replacement? After reading some of the posts in the forum I got really surprised at the reality of the cost implications of a jaguar fuel pump replacement. I have hired an auto-technician (who unfortunately I do not trust for several reasons) who is "99% certain" its the fuel pump after some few checks. Another technician without any tests indicated possibilities: dodgy connections or fuel pump. Any help please?

Many thanks,

Begood.

 

Sorry... car details as follows:

Model: X-Type
Year: 2002
Fuel type: Petrol 2 L
Transmission: Manual
Drive: Right Hand
Location: UK

Many thanks all.

Begood

 

Hello Thermo,

I have been following your wonderful troubleshooting and debottlenecking skills and yeah! fantastic, really! You have undoubtedly helped a lot in the forum and I know many owe you a huge thanks.

Could you please help me on very similar problem I have with my Jag. I have posted the details today in the forum "New Member Area - Intro a MUST". The post is titled: "Jaguar X-Type: Fuel Pump Fuse Keeps Blowing Up!!"

Many thanks in advance.

Begood

 

Be happy its just popping the fuse for now instead of the pump totally out. Yes you need a new pump. They can and do pull too many amps on their way out taking out the fuse. Replace now because it will go out ccompletely leaving you stranded......and welcome

 

It's here now Begood, along with the answer from Brutal, he's not often wrong.

 

begood, like what Brutal said, odds are it is your fuel pump starting to go. Replacing now is going to save you from having to get another tow in the near future. Unfortunately, replacing the fuel pump does require dropping the gas tank. While this is something that back yard mechanics have done, if you are not familiar with cars, this is not a good job to be jumping into for your first try. The fuel pump is located on the right hand side (driver's side for you) and the fuel pump module is located on the left side (passenger side for you). Since the tank is going to be down, probably good to give that a once over just to make sure that things are good there.

Wish you luck.

 

Some people have attempted to replace the pump without lowering the tank by cutting a hole in the floor. Just wondering if anyone has been successful and whether there is a "worked" method that others could use?

However, I seem to remember that somebody that tried this and, unfortunately, cut a hole in the tank itself when trying to get through the floor... =:-0
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons

 

Maybe peek at this .pdf file, it just might hold the answer to your problem. It is part of a set of .pdf's posted by Blu Stu a few days ago, and he mentioned he could only keep them up for a few days.

This is the full set - download while you can still get 'em! (Thanx Blu Stu!)

 

I got the X-Type back from the dealer, and they said the fuel pump was bad, and also had "no response from the throttle boday". I have picked up a fuel pump, and throttle body, but was wondering how to check power (12v) back at the plug underneath the back seat? I thought I had heard checking for voltage on the red and yellow wire. Anyone know for sure which two should have voltage? As always, thanks in advance!!!!!

 

robdawg71, unfortunately, getting at the red and yellow wires involves dropping the fuel tank and that is a fairly time consuming effort to do that. So, I would say that you should have a fuel pump standing by so once you drop the tank, you will be ready to replace the fuel pump.

Some members have cut a hole in the floor under the rear seat, but unless you are very versed on what is where on the top of the fuel tank and have some metal cutting ability, I cannot recommend this. One little "oopps" can be a much more involved task as you can easily damage the fuel tank and puncture it.