Fuel Pressure Issue (Wiring? ECU?)
Posted: May 30th, 2018, 9:57 am
I have a 1996 Crusader XL, 454, 350hp motor that has been out of service for a year and half. The boat had ethanol separation, and the ethanol reacted with the rubber gas line, turning it into a jello like substance. I replaced the gas line, and cleaned out as much of the fuel system as possible. There is no "hard" gas left in any of the lines, and it has all new fuel.
When I first put in the batteries, turned on the main breaker, and turned the "ignition" switch on the panel to "on," I thought I heard the fuel pump kick on. I thought that I have heard the fuel pump kick on during subsequent flicks of the same switch of the ignition breaker, but at this point, I'm not convinced.
Yesterday I completed the install of the new fuel lines, primed the main line that goes to the Oberg fuel filter, turned the ignition switch on, and attempted to check for fuel pressure. The system had some residual pressure (3-5psi), as the shrader valve shot a bit of air out of it and small spirts of fuel initially, then nothing. I don't know if it's possible that this pressure could have been in the system for 1.5 years, or if it was newer pressure built up from prior putting power to the ignition/pump. While I did prime the feed side of the Oberg fuel filter, I did not prime the output side, which feeds the fuel pump. That was the last bit of rubber line that could have been clogged, but yesterday I removed the pump and checked that line, and it's fine. When I started investigating the issue yesterday, I thought that either 1) the fuel line feeding the pump was clogged, or 2) the pump was bad. Neither of those issues turned out to be the case. The feed line did have a small amount of fuel in it, it's now in my bilge. Also, the fuel pump had a decent amount of gas in it, at least 1/2 a pint, maybe more. After I removed the pump and hooked it to a battery, it all shot out. The pump seems fine.
There is a red wire with a black stripe and a black wire that goes to the pump. On top of the motor, there is a red wire with a black stripe and a black wire that goes to a connector, and that connector is connected to nothing. I don't see anywhere that it is possible to plug it in. (pic attached) Could the pump have no power? Does the ECU control the fuel pump in any way? (wondering if the ECU is bad) I will bring a multimeter with me today to check continuity of the open connector to see if it's the same line. Both lines run through that plastic material, and it's taped up to a "T" that later feeds the TBI and more.
If it matters, the ECU is the MEFI 1/2 style, but Crusader brand. I believe they're both "Delphi" computers. I'll check for spark today (another indication that the ECU is good, or bad), and run a continuity check on the fuel pump wiring. Any other tips or tricks?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
When I first put in the batteries, turned on the main breaker, and turned the "ignition" switch on the panel to "on," I thought I heard the fuel pump kick on. I thought that I have heard the fuel pump kick on during subsequent flicks of the same switch of the ignition breaker, but at this point, I'm not convinced.
Yesterday I completed the install of the new fuel lines, primed the main line that goes to the Oberg fuel filter, turned the ignition switch on, and attempted to check for fuel pressure. The system had some residual pressure (3-5psi), as the shrader valve shot a bit of air out of it and small spirts of fuel initially, then nothing. I don't know if it's possible that this pressure could have been in the system for 1.5 years, or if it was newer pressure built up from prior putting power to the ignition/pump. While I did prime the feed side of the Oberg fuel filter, I did not prime the output side, which feeds the fuel pump. That was the last bit of rubber line that could have been clogged, but yesterday I removed the pump and checked that line, and it's fine. When I started investigating the issue yesterday, I thought that either 1) the fuel line feeding the pump was clogged, or 2) the pump was bad. Neither of those issues turned out to be the case. The feed line did have a small amount of fuel in it, it's now in my bilge. Also, the fuel pump had a decent amount of gas in it, at least 1/2 a pint, maybe more. After I removed the pump and hooked it to a battery, it all shot out. The pump seems fine.
There is a red wire with a black stripe and a black wire that goes to the pump. On top of the motor, there is a red wire with a black stripe and a black wire that goes to a connector, and that connector is connected to nothing. I don't see anywhere that it is possible to plug it in. (pic attached) Could the pump have no power? Does the ECU control the fuel pump in any way? (wondering if the ECU is bad) I will bring a multimeter with me today to check continuity of the open connector to see if it's the same line. Both lines run through that plastic material, and it's taped up to a "T" that later feeds the TBI and more.
If it matters, the ECU is the MEFI 1/2 style, but Crusader brand. I believe they're both "Delphi" computers. I'll check for spark today (another indication that the ECU is good, or bad), and run a continuity check on the fuel pump wiring. Any other tips or tricks?
Thanks in advance for any advice!