Fuel pump out again. I'm losing it.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Those voltages at the resistor art spot on. Other types of electric motors will burn up under powered. That DC motor is different I think, (apples and oranges), but still you could check that that 9.5 is getting to the pump OK. Guess you know the ground is good?
Yer welcome. Amperage is the rate the water is flowing into the bucket. Voltage is the pressure in the hose.
Yer welcome. Amperage is the rate the water is flowing into the bucket. Voltage is the pressure in the hose.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 694
Likes: 50
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
At the pump with it running, at idle, with ballast resistor hooked up at have 8.9 volts.
At pump with with it running, at idle, with ballast resistor unhooked I have 13.1 volts.
Does the fact the ballast resistor has spot on voltage at the resistor mean that the problem is after the BR in the circuit? Just a guess.
At pump with with it running, at idle, with ballast resistor unhooked I have 13.1 volts.
Does the fact the ballast resistor has spot on voltage at the resistor mean that the problem is after the BR in the circuit? Just a guess.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 694
Likes: 50
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Those voltages at the resistor art spot on. Other types of electric motors will burn up under powered. That DC motor is different I think, (apples and oranges), but still you could check that that 9.5 is getting to the pump OK. Guess you know the ground is good?
Yer welcome. Amperage is the rate the water is flowing into the bucket. Voltage is the pressure in the hose.
Yer welcome. Amperage is the rate the water is flowing into the bucket. Voltage is the pressure in the hose.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
At the pump with it running, at idle, with ballast resistor hooked up at have 8.9 volts.
At pump with with it running, at idle, with ballast resistor unhooked I have 13.1 volts.
Does the fact the ballast resistor has spot on voltage at the resistor mean that the problem is after the BR in the circuit? Just a guess.
At pump with with it running, at idle, with ballast resistor unhooked I have 13.1 volts.
Does the fact the ballast resistor has spot on voltage at the resistor mean that the problem is after the BR in the circuit? Just a guess.
I would leave the resistor bypassed.
Now, it's pump time.
Is it sucking air? something wrong with the installation? Tank dirty inside? Did you have a new sock on the pickup tube?
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I just thought of something. The ground wire was not tight at the pump or maybe the flange on my wife's XJ. Wire melted inside the tank....
Made a new wire and made sure the blades weren't loose like the one that burned. That was years ago.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 694
Likes: 50
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Not a bad idea. You know you can check the ground with your meter, right?
I just thought of something. The ground wire was not tight at the pump or maybe the flange on my wife's XJ. Wire melted inside the tank....
Made a new wire and made sure the blades weren't loose like the one that burned. That was years ago.
I just thought of something. The ground wire was not tight at the pump or maybe the flange on my wife's XJ. Wire melted inside the tank....
Made a new wire and made sure the blades weren't loose like the one that burned. That was years ago.
The one that runs up behind the spare tire. Which I ran the new one like you said but just asking that's the only ground I need to check?
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Set your meter to ohms. Touch the leads together and the meter should read 0.
Now, touch one lead to a known ground like where you put your new one and rouch the ground wire at the fuel pump harness with it unplugged. Should read close to 0.
Now, touch one lead to a known ground like where you put your new one and rouch the ground wire at the fuel pump harness with it unplugged. Should read close to 0.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 694
Likes: 50
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Instead of trying to ask you a million question which I could do, I'll tell you what I've done everytime.
I went to NAPA and got a new fuel pump assembly everytime.
I then install it which is fairly easy.
What sock and would the new assembly not have it on it?
As far as trash in the tank. That is a possibility but I thought since it went out at practicaly exactly the same mileage everytime that it was a constant such as voltage or ground wire. If it was sucking trash wouldn't it go out after varying times as it sucked enough trash?
I've got until Tuesday so I'm dropping the tank this time and cleaning it anyway.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Before pulling the tank, just shine a light in there.
Inspect the module to see if the ground wire is tight at the terminals on each end.
Don't get too hung up on the "time" thing. Airtex pumps are absolute crap.
at the bottom of the assembly where the fuel is sucked up is a kind of flat sock/screen.
Inspect the module to see if the ground wire is tight at the terminals on each end.
Don't get too hung up on the "time" thing. Airtex pumps are absolute crap.
at the bottom of the assembly where the fuel is sucked up is a kind of flat sock/screen.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Maybe we are on to something here. I'm not sure a new assembly comes with the filter screen. (which is easy to knock off while removing the pump).
Has there been a filter screen on the pumps you have been installing? (you may find some number of them in the tank)
Has there been a filter screen on the pumps you have been installing? (you may find some number of them in the tank)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 694
Likes: 50
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Before pulling the tank, just shine a light in there.
Inspect the module to see if the ground wire is tight at the terminals on each end.
Don't get too hung up on the "time" thing. Airtex pumps are absolute crap.
at the bottom of the assembly where the fuel is sucked up is a kind of flat sock/screen.
Inspect the module to see if the ground wire is tight at the terminals on each end.
Don't get too hung up on the "time" thing. Airtex pumps are absolute crap.
at the bottom of the assembly where the fuel is sucked up is a kind of flat sock/screen.
Good call on shining a light. I can tell you've been there and done that. I would have dropped it first haha.
I'm thinking of just going to NAPA Tuesday and getting a refund, if they'll give it, then going to JY to get stock sender and order me a Bosch pump.
First however I want to find the issue or rule out everything else.


