Certain vehicles have a Fuel Pump only designed to pump when needed. This can create the impression of this 'turning-on and -off'. For those systems, during certain conditions of the engine, like when accelerating, the pump operates and stops at idling, which is normal. However, if this cycling occurs very often or unpredictably, it may indicate an underlying issue.
The most notable, perhaps, was in 2018 when Honda recalled certain models because of defective fuel pumps that would shut off during driving and thus lead to a sudden loss of power. More than 1.5 million vehicles were included in this recall, and that goes to prove just how important constant fuel delivery is for the good performance and safety of the engine.
Or, as Carroll Shelby, automotive expert says, "The ability to get there is as important as the will to get there." Knowing why Fuel Pumps act the way they do are important to maintaining a vehicle's reliability.
To find out more about why your Fuel Pump turns on and off, go to Fuel Pump.
Why Does My Fuel Pump Start and Stop?
The reasons could be many as to why a Fuel Pump starts and stops, but most of such problems would indeed revolve around electrical issues or failures in the fuel system. A bad Fuel Pump relay is a prevalent reason for this. This serves as a control device for the supply of electrical current to the Fuel Pump, and in case it starts failing intermittently, the pump will suddenly shut off. This is truer for most vehicles, which require 12 to 14 volts to keep the pump operational. A malfunctioning relay can contribute to surging voltage in addition to the loss of power. In most cases, a bad relay that needs replacement should fall in the range of $20-$50, while an entire replacement of the Fuel Pump can fall between $400-$800.
The fuel filter may be clogged and become yet another probable cause of such fuel pump behavior. A dirty filter constricts fuel flow, making the Fuel Pump work harder. When pressure becomes higher than some critical value, it may shut down to protect against damage. Over time, a clogged filter may provoke fuel starvation that diminishes pressure significantly—often more than 10 psi—and makes the pump cycle on and off as it attempts to maintain the necessary fuel delivery.
Certain vehicles have a Fuel Pump only designed to pump when needed. This can create the impression of this 'turning-on and -off'. For those systems, during certain conditions of the engine, like when accelerating, the pump operates and stops at idling, which is normal. However, if this cycling occurs very often or unpredictably, it may indicate an underlying issue.
The most notable, perhaps, was in 2018 when Honda recalled certain models because of defective fuel pumps that would shut off during driving and thus lead to a sudden loss of power. More than 1.5 million vehicles were included in this recall, and that goes to prove just how important constant fuel delivery is for the good performance and safety of the engine.
Or, as Carroll Shelby, automotive expert says, "The ability to get there is as important as the will to get there." Knowing why Fuel Pumps act the way they do are important to maintaining a vehicle's reliability.
To find out more about why your Fuel Pump turns on and off, go to Fuel Pump.
Certain vehicles have a Fuel Pump only designed to pump when needed. This can create the impression of this 'turning-on and -off'. For those systems, during certain conditions of the engine, like when accelerating, the pump operates and stops at idling, which is normal. However, if this cycling occurs very often or unpredictably, it may indicate an underlying issue.
The most notable, perhaps, was in 2018 when Honda recalled certain models because of defective fuel pumps that would shut off during driving and thus lead to a sudden loss of power. More than 1.5 million vehicles were included in this recall, and that goes to prove just how important constant fuel delivery is for the good performance and safety of the engine.
Or, as Carroll Shelby, automotive expert says, "The ability to get there is as important as the will to get there." Knowing why Fuel Pumps act the way they do are important to maintaining a vehicle's reliability.
To find out more about why your Fuel Pump turns on and off, go to Fuel Pump.