Yesterday went wheeling. Was doing very well until I went up a decent size hill and bounced. Half way up died. I messed around awhile and found if I take my trusty hammer and tap on the fuel pump it will start.
Few more times with some bouncing going up hills it would shut off. The pucker factor is high.
My question is if I'm messing something like a fuel safety shut off.
Few years ago I clean and inspected the tank. New fuel filter.
The pump does sound loud when running.
My thought was to put a small fuel cell in the rear. Purchase an inline fuel pump and be done with it.
Should I look for pump that will go up to 40 PSI?

 

Good question. I'm not aware of a safety shutoff. Pretty sure there is not one, and positive it's not in the tank, 87-90 at least. You would think there would be some sort of role over, but I know them pretty well and am not aware of one. There could be a mercury switch in the ECU...doubt it though.

Short of a fuel cell, I'm sure you could find some sort of slid plate for the tank.

 

I have never hit the tank, but it feels very odd to off road then hit a good bump up hill and die. Maybe it's just a weak pump and the incline is more to blame. Before my off road fun I put 10 gallons of gas in it. Fuel gauge said 3/4 tank. So I know the pump should be able to run cool as well draw enough on incline.

 

No safety switch for fuel cutoff(renix anyways). Sounds like it could be a failing pump. Easy to replace. No need to drop the tank. Get a quality pump or you will find yourself doing it again very soon

 

Is the battery hold down secure? Maybe hitting a bump is shorting something. You do know....The pump will only run a second after you turn on the ignition, then it starts again when the ECU get's a signal it's going.

 

This^^. Verify fuel pressure with a tester?

Not uncommon when I owned my towing business, to tap the bottom of the tank on a fuel injected car with a 2 by 4 and have it start.

 

The pressure was ok during cycle. But did notice it would drop slightly from 32PSI When the key was turned to the off position
.

 

Take out the pump and check the connections. Maybe one of the wires is loose and makes bad connection then in bounces.

 

Picked up a tank with good fuel pump. I will replace and try wheeling and see.
If I do bust the tank I will have a spare.

 

Happened on my 88. Loose ground wire at the pump.....

Looked like this:

 

I'm sure I've run into that, had it happen. But it was a carbed (Celica), with a mechanical pump working in the 5-8 lb range. I highly doubt a pump working in the 30 + range would notice a tilt. (water is .433 psi/vert. foot Btw) Or 43.3 psi/100ft. (and NO it doesn't go up if you use smaller pipe!)