You died in the middle of the road?!!

OMG Phil are you O.K.?

 

I bought a fuel filter and will change that this afternoon once the temps cool down here in Georgia. I don't have a garage so I am working outside and need some of this heat to burn off.

I think the pump is dead because I don't hear the buzzing from the tail end I used to hear when I had the keys turned but not on. I figure I can change the fuel filter first and see if that works and would need a fuel filter anyway if I got a new pump.

I've never changed a fuel pump before and from what I've seen, the pump o the '88 is just attached to the fuel tank and I wouldn't need to drop the tank to get to it. Am I correct? Are there any tips I should know about when changing the fuel pump and/or fuel filter?

Thank you to everyone so far who has pitched in on this thread. This site is full of so many helpful and informative people. I'm impressed everytime when someone pitches in to share their knowledge.

 

i had this same prob about 3 months ago i was 80 miles from home when it happened. it deff. and it was the fuel pump on mine

 

did you check the ballast resistor to the fuel pump?

 

could only be 2 things fuel or fire

 

I had the same problem a couple of months ago, all kinds of wierd problems. I replace almost everything. It finally died to far from home and had to get it towed to Jeep dealer. The scanner they hooked to it said the pump was running but it would not start. It did start but died on them so they replaced the fuel pump and it has run like a champ ever since.

 

Yeah, I checked that yesterday before I changed the CPS. The connections were a little loose and I unplugged them and tried to start the engine and it didn't come as close to starting as it did with the connections the way they were when they were loose. I tightened it all up and it still wouldn't start.

As the Jeep died on Friday night, I felt that it was the fuel pump since it had that feeling that is experienced when one runs out of gas. I just thought I would try the CPS since that is easier than changing a fuel pump (so I thought) and the symptoms were similar. I definitely think it's a fuel issue. I ordered a pump from Rock Auto and as soon as it's here I will (hopefully) be rolling again. Until then, I will check the electrical components with a multi-meter and make sure power is getting to the pump.

 

Dont have to drop the tank, makes it a little easier if you lower it down some, but I just did mine 2 days ago without lowering it at all. I pulled one out of a tank in the junk yard without dropping the tank in that one also. Just get a screw driver and hammer, remove the retaining ring, disconnect the wiring and the fuel lines, and pull it out. Putting it back in is a little more difficult to get the retaining ring started, but once you do, its cake. Good luck hope it fixes the issue.

 

You dont need to drop it...use a brass punch to unlock the lock ring and pull the whole thing out...spend the extra and get the whole unit as it makes it a cinch to change and you get a more accurate fuel reading from the new sending unit as well...just saying.

Dont use a screw driver as a spark may get you killed. Just saying.

 

So, I have my fuel pump, I have my brass punch, I don't have the fuel tank lock ring loose.

My question is how do you get that off?! I am using a brass punch to get the ring to spin, and it spins until a tiny metal tab that sticks up gets to a spot at about 10:00 on the ring. The ring will not go any further and that tiny little tab is in a groove and can't come out. Here is a photo of where the ring stops.



It leaves the ring about 1/4 of an inch away from getting to the spot where the gaps in the ring match the gaps in the assembly and it will come out. How far am I from getting this ring off? What do I need to do?




I saw a video on youtube of a guy with a Lincoln tapping his and the ring just popped off. Will the Cherokee's do that too? Am I right at assuming that the gaps need to line up for the ring to come out? Should I just buy a new Cherokee? (Ha)

 

that tab that is stopping you should ride just inside the metal from the tank you may have just got it off kilter a little bit try and pry it back to center and continue...it will pop off when you reach the openings.

 

I don't really know what I did, but hit it a couple times clockwise which I think lined the tabs up and got the tab back in the right spot and then the ring started to pop off. I kept tapping it and the ring popped off and the pump came right off. I ran out of daylight before I could get the ring back on and the fuel filter installed so I stopped for the night. I should be able to get it all done today.

 

Fuel pump installed, it didn't fix the issue. It's still doing the same thing.

 

maybe a little more info will help us help you.

What does it do?
Is there fuel pressure if no check you have power to the pump if not change out the ballast resistor or just jump the two wires connected to the ceramic thing on the right side of the engine compartment and see if you hear the pump kick on.

After that let us know whats going on...like the previous person said it either fuel or fire...we need the info to give you a better diag.

 

Did you replace the fuel filter, also check ur fuel pressure at your fuel rail, and you can see if your new pump is doing anything, Did you replace that little filter at the bottom of your pump?