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Old Reliable just quit. 90xj

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Old 11-29-2022, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by lawsoncl
Have you bypassed the ballast resistor? Sometimes they crack and become intermittent as they heat up.
Done.
Old 11-29-2022, 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by homestd
I have been waiting for your input Cruiser and dreading taking off the panel and doing that one. Let me get this straight, Do the ground behind the spare then ground the pump to the frame, right?
No need to remove the panel!! Re-read the Tip. All done under the vehicle.
Old 11-30-2022, 04:48 AM
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Don't forget to clean and refresh your ground wire locations. Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

Last edited by mikelstudy; 11-30-2022 at 12:18 PM.
Old 11-30-2022, 04:54 PM
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Ok Cruiser, Did the panel and the splice/solder on the pump side of the plug. Started up and drove for 1-1/2 hrs. At pretty close to an hour she quit, in traffic 45 mph, just died no sputter, just no fuel. I jumpered the pump and it started, and I drove 30 mi home, running fine. Pulled into the garage, turned it off then tried to start, no deal. Jumped the pump, it would try to start then the pressure dropped to 0. Jumped again started then died pretty quick, all this time watching the fuel pressure. Jumped again, pressure came up, started and ran. What controls when the pump runs? Am I still looking at changing out the pump??
Old 11-30-2022, 05:24 PM
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Relay and ballast resistor.

Old 11-30-2022, 05:33 PM
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Possibly fuel pump relay?
Old 11-30-2022, 05:35 PM
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Yep.

Tip 2 ever done?
Old 11-30-2022, 06:05 PM
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OK cruiser and lawsoncl, Ballast resistor bypassed several days ago, fuel pump relay, removed, tested and replaced then re-installed. My 90 doesn't have a C101, my 88 did. Just went out to start it after sitting for 1-1/2 hrs or so...fired up like a champ. If the pump jumper continues to work, I guess I'll have to take my chances. I can't be stranded when I need prescriptions or, heaven forbid, dog food. Is it in the realm of possibility that something besides grounding is happening?


Here's what was behind the panel... but no chewed wires, lol
Old 11-30-2022, 06:13 PM
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I meant Tip 3. Swap the relay just cuz.
Old 11-30-2022, 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by cruiser54
I meant Tip 3. Swap the relay just cuz.
Consider it done. I've got three jeeps worth of relays.
Old 11-30-2022, 08:09 PM
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On those occasions when it dies and refuses to restart when you try, have you ever tried crawling under there and giving the fuel pump, as close as you can get to it, a couple of good smacks? ......hung up brushes in a dying pump maybe.
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Old 11-30-2022, 08:42 PM
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My thoughts exactly, and tried as much as I could on the side of the road when it wouldn't respond. I also shook the **** out of the tank by rocking the jeep by hand. It runs so good for 312K it's way better than I expected when I bought it. It was a barn find and well maintained. I'm beginning to think it's HAUNTED!!!
Old 12-01-2022, 06:18 AM
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(I've never had to do this diagnosis by internet until I became involved with this forum and find it frustrating but I'm sticking with this thread because the OP actually let's folks know what is happening)

Anyway:
1) you know when it won't start you have no fuel pressure

2) hopefully you know each time it won't start you have spark.
3 "jumping" it doesn't always solve the problem, but I don't know where/how you're jumping it.
4) you don't want to parts cannon the fuel pump.. I understand.
5) the dog says"don't worry, I can always eat you

At this point I would be tempted to make a jumper cable with the terminal end being the harness side connector that plugs into the fuel pump. When it refuses to start hook up your pressure gauge...still zero. Hook up this new jumper to the fuel pump and the battery. If still no pressure it's the pump, if pressure, back to relay, grounds etc etc. The dog recommended diagnostic.
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Old 12-01-2022, 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by exasemech
(I've never had to do this diagnosis by internet until I became involved with this forum and find it frustrating but I'm sticking with this thread because the OP actually let's folks know what is happening)

Anyway:
1) you know when it won't start you have no fuel pressure

2) hopefully you know each time it won't start you have spark.
3 "jumping" it doesn't always solve the problem, but I don't know where/how you're jumping it.
4) you don't want to parts cannon the fuel pump.. I understand.
5) the dog says"don't worry, I can always eat you

At this point I would be tempted to make a jumper cable with the terminal end being the harness side connector that plugs into the fuel pump. When it refuses to start hook up your pressure gauge...still zero. Hook up this new jumper to the fuel pump and the battery. If still no pressure it's the pump, if pressure, back to relay, grounds etc etc. The dog recommended diagnostic.

There you go again!! Making perfect sense.....
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Old 12-01-2022, 12:21 PM
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I definitely have spark, and I jump the pump with a jumper from the ballast resistor (which is now bypassed) to the battery. The fuel pressure gauge is attached to the fuel rail and probably will stay there until this can be sorted out. Relays tested OK but per Cruiser I changed it out anyway.

Last edited by homestd; 12-01-2022 at 02:52 PM. Reason: Deletion


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