My 1996, 4.0L died today while driving and the fuel gauge dropped to empty, like super empty, even though I just filled it up.

Went to turn it back on and it started for a few seconds, ran rough, and then died. I noticed then that the fuel pump isn’t priming when I turn on the ignition.

Any ideas?

 

Sounds like you have lost 12V to the pump module, (or a bad earth)

Check the in/outs of the fuel pump relay in the PDC, fuse as well most likely

Check for 12V at the connector down near the pump, its the thickest wire

check earth points

 

 

Thanks for the link sir.

 

It ended up being a broken ground wire to the fuel pump. I originally though I could ground the wire to the body but found that the fuel pump would only run if the broken wire end was touched to where it was
originally attached on the fuel pump. is this normal?

It’s located in a place that will prove difficult to solder. Any ideas on how to reconnect it?

 

Yep. Must be attached to that metal piece.

How about crimping an eyelet on to the wire end and then attaching the eyelet to the retaining ring with a self tapping screw?

Or, clean off the pipe that comes out of the unit and use a hose clamp to hold the wire to it?

 

Personally, I would try solder, as that would not risk damaging the lug, but you would have to make it very clean and have the right soldering equipment.

Solder a short wire to the cleaned up lug, then join that to the stripped back earth wire

You would need a high power electric, I would not use a butane pencil torch, as there is a slight risk of petrol fumes