Rcool

I drive a 1999 XJ. This morning it cranked but didn't start. I'm getting sparks so I don't think power is the issue. I have no fuel pressure to the fuel rail (tested with a pressure gauge). All my fuses are fine. The fuel pump isn't turning on even with me shorting the connections where the fuel relay sits. I am getting power to the harness side pins at the back of the car. So my fuel pump is bad right? I wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything obvious before I drop the gas tank.

lawsoncl

If you're seeing voltage across the connection at the fuel pump connection in the back with the harness plugged in, then most likely a bad pump. The reason I say with it plugged in and across the supply and ground pins, is that a high resistance connection can have good voltage until you put a load on it.

An alternative to dropping the tank is cutting an access hole.

BlueRidgeMark

Yep, check it with a test light, not a meter.

But since it's a sudden failure, it's probably the pump. You could run some decent sized jumpers back there and supply juice to it directly to verify it.

Dropping the tank almost certainly means you'll need new J-bolts. It's usually impossible to get them off without destroying them. The replacements are stupidly expensive, but a lot of folks have found alternatives. There is a thread around here somewhere about that. Some 5/16" all-thread and some random hardware would work, if you are clever.

Hey, if you do drop the tank, plan to do some rust cleanup while you are in there. At the very least, spray a bunch of Fluid Film around. Good stuff.

awg

Yep, use fishoil or similar on any exposed threads under your truck and they last forever, plain old grease works too

Rcool

It was the fuel pump. I put a new one in and it started right up. Thanks for the input guys.

Roler

Hope that was it
Thanks for the follow up

Jack Pullo

How did you replace the pump? Cut a hole?
How stupid expensive are J-bolts exactly?

BlueRidgeMark

Jack, I've seen $45 EACH, and you need two of them.

Time to get creative!