sergeantscrounge

my oem fuel pump was always audible,but lately it seems to have gotten much louder like it's having to work harder am i being given an early warning sign ????sorry i do this all the time my vehicle is an 87 jeep cherokee wagoneer

F1Addict

What year? Not sure if all XJs have them but there is a ceramic resistor on the inner fender well (driver's side) whose sole purpose is to quiet the fuel pump. If it's failed, your pump will be noisy.

Could also be a warning of imminent pump failure but if you've got that resistor, I'd check it first.

Flowpro

Yes, you probably are.

I didn't have any warnings.

I just replaced mine after getting stranded at a stop light earlier this week and having to get towed home.

This is NOT a good way to start off a Monday morning.


You might want to be thinking about a new pump shortly. Everyone recommends a Bosch or Carter. The bad pump in mine was one of the Airtex ones that everyone suggests not buying....I see why now.

DFlintstone

Was till 94 IIRC, but it won't fail to high volts, just to "Open". Like a wire in a toaster. , And yea, lots of posts with people having issues with Airtex.

You do know, there is a handy- dandy fuel pressure test port right there on the fuel rail. (a Schrader valve, like on a tire)

F1Addict

So if it fails (the ceramic thing... please remind me what it's called so I don't keep calling it the "ceramic thing" like a fool) does it interrupt power to the fuel pump?

DFlintstone

Lol! I often don't say "ballast resistor", because most people wouldn't know what I meant! Yea, gets full voltage to the front and spits a few less out the rear. I guess the wire coil is sometimes called nichrome wire. nickel+chrome. Same stuff in a toaster, dash light dimmer....

It sometimes breaks cause every time it gets hot, (why the ceramic, and where that energy went), it get's stressed. I don't think the alloy its'self ever looses resistance, it just brakes, or the connections fry and fail.

tjwalker

To the OP....always post year/engine. Significant differences along the way.

If the fuel pump is running, this isn't the resistor......if that resistor fails open, the fuel pump has no juice going to it.

And yes, a fuel pump that is getting louder can definitely be a warning sign. I'd replace it. And yes, I'm one of the guys that recommends Bosch and Carter. And NOT Airtex!