Driving around and all of a sudden your car starts sputtering? Is the gas gauge reading low, but you know that it was just filled up yesterday? Has this been happening more than once with no particular rhyme or reason to it?
Well, there may be an answer for why your fuel pump fuse keeps blowing which can lead to problems later on like getting stranded somewhere! In our blog post, I will provide 3 reasons why the most likely culprit is due to blown fuses in cars and how they’re easy enough to fix if caught early on. Why does my fuel pump fuse keep blowing?
Table of Contents
The top 3 reasons for a fuel pump fuse keeps blowing are:
- The fuel pump fuse may be damaged, a loose wire or bad wiring can cause the fuse to blow.
- If there is water in your gas tank, particles from the water will collect on components making them less effective. This includes parts of the electrical system such as sensors and resistors that are susceptible to corrosion.
- Gasoline engines produce sparks when they are running which could short out some electrical components if not properly polarized.
How do you fix a fuse that keeps blowing?
Fuel pump fuses are a common problem for many drivers. If you find that your fuel pump fuse keeps blowing, consider the following steps:
Check all fuses in the car for damage or a loose connection. If there is a bad fuse and it has been replaced, check to make sure the replacement fuse isn’t blown.
Check for corrosion on electrical wires. If you see any corrosion, try cleaning it off with a wire brush and then lubricating it with dielectric oil. To prevent future corrosion, use some dielectric grease on the connectors to help seal them against moisture and dirt.
Grounding problems can cause fuel pump issues too! Check your vehicle’s grounding system and repair where necessary. A loose ground wire under the hood or a dirty ground connector will also cause the fuse to blow.
If you’re still having problems, have your fuel system checked for leaks and the fuel filter replaced if necessary. If all else fails, we recommend a diagnostic scan of your car’s computer system.
Ensure that all electrical components are properly polarized by checking for sparks or polarity indicators.
Why does my fuel pump relay keep going bad?
The fuel pump relay is a device that controls the current to the fuel pump. When it’s not functioning properly, your car will run poorly or stop running altogether because of a lack of fuel.
When the fuel pump’s relay gets a continuous power supply, the output of the relay closes and breaks contact with the load. The pressure sensor causes the engine to cut out if it senses that no fuel is getting through on its return trip.
How can you tell if a plug fuse is blown?
It is relatively easy to test whether or not a fuse is blown. All that you need to do is unplug the suspected fuse, take a multimeter and place one lead of the meter on the disconnected side of the wire.
In addition, you should use the other lead of your meter to touch each terminal in succession. You will notice one of the terminals giving off a reading according to its different sizes. If the meter reads anything other than zero ohms, then it means that it has found an active circuit. You may also want to try replacing that outlet with a new one.
Can a blown fuse cause a fire?
It is possible for a blown fuse to cause a fire. If the wiring has moisture in it, that can act as an oxidant leading to combustion of the wire insulation and further to overheating of the wires themselves. Mold and bacteria from damp walls can also cause increased powdery deposits in fuses which may lead to short-circuiting or arcing within them.
A blown fuse can cause a fire if it is located in the engine compartment and starts overheating. A blown fuse inside of the engine compartment can cause a fire and should be dealt with as soon as possible because of its high risk to the car.
What are the signs you need a new fuel pump?
- Loss of power, sputtering or the engine pulling hard to start.
- The car runs poorly and a lack of progress despite gas being used.
- Your car starts to spit and sputter when revving up the engine.
Do I need a bigger fuse if it keeps blowing?
The answer is simply NO!. When you replace your fuel pump fuse with a larger gauge fuse, the chance of blowing it again is higher. It’s important to make sure that the new fuse will carry the current needed for your vehicle. There are two measurements that you will need to take into consideration when choosing a new fuse – gauge and voltage.
A typical 10-amp fuse for your car, truck, or SUV might be about 20 gauge wire and will have a voltage rating of 125 volts. Choosing a 25-amp fuse would mean selecting a 20-gauge wire with a voltage rating of 250 volts. If you choose an unnecessarily heavy duty gauge (like 10 or 12) for your vehicle, you could overheat the relay and cause more damage than the blown fuse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many reasons why your fuel pump fuse keeps blowing. The most common reason is corrosion on electrical wires or grounding problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to have them checked by a mechanic as soon as possible before the problem gets worse and leads to more serious consequences like fire damage.
Reference
Car Fuse Keeps Blowing – Fix it like a pro!
