Trouble Starting - Fuel Pump Not Priming

[TStevens]

Hi Guys - yes I've been MIA - please be gentle!

I want to get my baby out of hibernation but I've encountered an issue already. (on top of the ones I knew about already).
I've not turned the Elan over for at least a year and I want to get her out to play in the sunshine.

I've put a brand new battery on
I've done an oil change (cold one)
I've done a coolant change
I've had the plugs out and given them a good cleaning up.

Key in the ignition, lights all come on, but no fuel pump priming noise. I can crank her over, but obviously no fuel no bang!

I've checked the 7.5a fuse in the passenger foot well. No problem there.
I do have a factory fit alarm, I've used my fob to arm and disarm (and upset the local dogs) so it appears to be in working order.
I do hear the relay click in the battery compartment.

I'm assuming my next step is to put 12v to the fuel pump directly to see if she's still alive. I've noted my fuel gauge is on empty, but the fuel light does go out and I put the keys in the ignition, so I assume I have fuel (I assume the pump would still attempt to prime even if I didn't)

Where do I find/access the fuel pump?
My inertia switch is in the battery compartment, how do I reset it if I have knocked it getting the battery in and out?

[andy b]

In the hood stowage area under the hood there is a access cover held in with those rubber nutserts they rust the bolts in so just pull it off if they are rusted under there is a big gray screw top undo it and you can pull the pump and fuel gauge sender out lots of bits to unplug first inc fuel lines. I would check you have 12v at the connections first before pulling it all out.. do a search to see if there are some pics on the forum good luck.
andy b

[HJ2]

Are you sure the inertia switch is in the Battery compartiment?
On my S2 it is behind the passenger seat (drivers seat for me

You can push in the in rubber covered knob (really) on top, and pull it up again.

Good luck!

[TStevens]

91 SE Turbo. Inertia switch/Relay and 3 fuses are in the battery compartment. Nothing behind the passengers seat, behind the drivers seat is the factory alarm cut off switch and screechy unit (it uses the horn too).

I've pushed the switch down and pulled up to reset it just to be certain but it's made no difference.

Guess I'll be taking the trim off to get to the fuel pump! unless there's something else I've missed. Rather gutted she didn't fire.

[epipete]

I can't be sure but, since it's a cut off should the car roll, I think that it's live when it's down and dead when it's up!

I may be wrong!!!

[HJ2]

... sounds absolutely plausible!
(but try both settings )

[TStevens]

I can't be sure but, since it's a cut off should the car roll, I think that it's live when it's down and dead when it's up!

I may be wrong!!!

Well just to be on the safe side, I pressed it in and the pump still doesn't make a peep. I suspect I may have an earthing issue or a faulty cable somewhere. I think I need to get the multimeter out the weekend and go testing.

[Enright]

Hi Tony - hope you're well!
I just had exactly the same issue recently and it turned out to be my fuel pump.
It looks as though you can pull out the pump & sender assembly from the tank, and then have the option of just replacing the pump (about £50 off eBay), or doing the whole assembly. I did the assembly and on putting a good used one in, it started on the first turn of the key.

[Danny R]

How long's it been stood?

Maybe your pump is jammed? I've know old fuel go weird a 'gum up' fuel components. Suppose a multimeter across the in-tank pump will give you a good idea what's going on.

[HJ2]

Change the fuel filter whilst you are in there!

[TStevens]

I'm good thanks Neil! - Lots of changes, but that's life. Hope you're doing well. Nice to hear you still have an Elan.

Lotus hasn't been turned over for probably closer to 2 years. She's not been driven for 3 years. So that fuel in the tank is probably 4 years old. I picked up another car that has been taking my attention, but I think I need to share the driving across 2 again. (yes I'm cheating on the Lotus with another lady)

[TStevens]

OK so after a lot of testing with the multimeter. I can confirm that there's 10v (??) reaching the fuel pump, but no life from the pump itself.
I've put 12v directly to the pump and nothing so I think that confirms it.

So where best to get a pump and is it worth getting the whole assembly?
Neil - pinged you a PM but I think it got stuck somewhere.

[Enright]

Just replied (sorry for delay), but recommendations of sources were at the bottom of my last PM which you already replied to.

[epipete]

I got my last pump from Merlin Motor Sports at Castle Combe, cant recall the details but give them a bell, they should be able to sort you out.

[TStevens]

Just in case someone else finds this post at a later date - the Inertia Switch is activated when it's up and you can see red. And reset when it's down.

[maz_r]

Tony,

Is that an admission that your problem may not lie with the fuel pump, per se...???

[TStevens]

Tony,

Is that an admission that your problem may not lie with the fuel pump, per se...???

haha - sadly not. It was just an unknown, so thought I would post it for confirmation for any other poor soul who comes across the forum post.

Replacement pump is being ordered tomorrow, (along with a fuel filter as I might as well)

[epipete]

Tony,

Is that an admission that your problem may not lie with the fuel pump, per se...???

haha - sadly not. It was just an unknown, so thought I would post it for confirmation for any other poor soul who comes across the forum post.

Replacement pump is being ordered tomorrow, (along with a fuel filter as I might as well)

And all good luck with that

[TStevens]

And all good luck with that

Yes I suspect I may need it by the looks of the wiki page!

[HJ2]

Top tip: When you have replaced the filter and repaired the pump: Don't put back the 4th bolt from the cover of the fuel pump assembly that is under all the trim!
It saves you a lot of trouble when something goes wrong