Finally getting an electric fuel pump

[chrisjs]

We took our 79 Spider 2000 to get its annual road sticker on Friday. Also needed an oil change. As the garage began moving it from one bay to the other, the engine stopped and would not restart. Turns out that the mechanical fuel pump has just gone bad, again. It has been an ongoing problem with fuel leaking back from the carb. and I had been thinking about putting in a replacement non-return valve but could not find one. So, I called International Auto Parts to buy a replacement pump only to find out that there is a several week back-order -- and my car is sitting on a garage forecourt. IAP suggested fitting an electric pump wired through the ignition switch. So it is on order and, hopefully, my local garage mechanic can put it together. I live in hope that this "upgrade" will not only get the car running again but will finally resolve the poor starting (pump, pump, pump and pump again) after the car sits for a couple of days. I would appreciate hearing from anybody who has done this upgrade. IAP suggested mounting the pump closer to the fuel tank underneath the car.

[So Cal Mark]

it's a common repair, as the mechanical pumps have been impossible to find for awhile. Definitely make sure your mechanic mounts it as close to the tank as possible

[JEEPER]

We took our 79 Spider 2000 to get its annual road sticker on Friday. Also needed an oil change. As the garage began moving it from one bay to the other, the engine stopped and would not restart. Turns out that the mechanical fuel pump has just gone bad, again. It has been an ongoing problem with fuel leaking back from the carb. and I had been thinking about putting in a replacement non-return valve but could not find one. So, I called International Auto Parts to buy a replacement pump only to find out that there is a several week back-order -- and my car is sitting on a garage forecourt. IAP suggested fitting an electric pump wired through the ignition switch. So it is on order and, hopefully, my local garage mechanic can put it together. I live in hope that this "upgrade" will not only get the car running again but will finally resolve the poor starting (pump, pump, pump and pump again) after the car sits for a couple of days. I would appreciate hearing from anybody who has done this upgrade. IAP suggested mounting the pump closer to the fuel tank underneath the car.

I have a 79 and I have the same problem. I have an electric fuel pump which was installed 25 years ago. The manual pump is still there just by-passed. I bought this car new in October of 1978 and it would crank and crank if you didn't drive it every day. The fuel pump is wired to the ignition switch and was installed right next to the tank.

[nibbes123]

This may be a dumb question but here goes, where do you connect on the ignition to power the pump? I also have a 1979 spider. If you have pictures it would be great.
Thanks
Nick

[chrisjs]

Not sure if it will help but IAP said to connect the positive wire to terminal position 15 on the ignition.
Any other inputs appreciated.

[JEEPER]

This may be a dumb question but here goes, where do you connect on the ignition to power the pump? I also have a 1979 spider. If you have pictures it would be great.
Thanks
Nick

Blue wire with a red tracer that comes out of the factory harness. It also has a white nylon connector on the end of it that is from the factory. The fuel pump is just plugged in. I'll send you a picture when my neighbor comes home from a business trip. I am technically challenged at posting pictures on this website.

[divace73]

Just want to note, it would be wise to but some sort of safety mechanism to stop the fuel pump from operation in case on an accident. In the case of the fuel injected card the safety switch is in the AFM, once the engine stop running so does the fuel pump. (I don't know how the elec fuel pumps are wired up in the other fiat models without FI.)
I have hear people running a relay that operates of the oil pressure switch. The theory is if that oil pressure drops of (Which may happen if the car has rolled, then the fuel pump will too)

Just a thought....

[nibbes123]

Thanks Jeeper ,I will be waiting for the picture.

Nick

[donm]

Regarding the safety issue, another option is to wire in series with the electic pump an inertia switch, available at Ford dealers. Search "inertia switch" and read all about it.

[RRoller123]

I still have this near the top of my to do list. A really good idea that needs to get done. I would like to check your inertial switch install at Tutto Italiano o the 4th, Don. You are coming right?

[donm]

I'll be there..wouldn't miss it. But your car is FI, right? I think your fuel pump shuts off automatically if the engine should stall.

[RRoller123]

Hi Don. Glad to hear you will be there! I a bringing Ian, my 16 y/o, who has a new interest in cars after going to "Cars and Coffee" last week!

Regarding the Fuel Pump; no, it was wired by a PO to bypass the dual relay, so it is on all the time the key is on. I have no inclination to change it, so I think I will just put in the safety inertial switch and I will be comfortable with that.

Pete

[JEEPER]

Thanks Jeeper ,I will be waiting for the picture.

Nick

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r79 ... 47e669.jpg

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