xntryk1

New $10 fuel pump solved the problem. And the pretend mechanic gets the job done, once again - thanks to you guys helping me!

Thank you. Thought it sounded like hearsay. But at that point, I was grasping at straws. One last question, then I'll stop bugging you (for now). I've removed the old fuel pump from the bracket. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to connect it directly to my loose battery and see if it shows any life that way. If it still doesn't at that point, would it be safe to assume that it's dead?

Ha! Well, my old one's not that bad. Now that I've got it off the bracket, I'm going to try the direct battery connection test on it tomorrow just to see if there's difference. If it's still dead at that point, I've gotta believe it's most sincerely dead.

Is it true that pumps can die faster if you run the gas tank close to empty a lot (like I do)? I read that somewhere, which is another reason I suspected the pump.

Ha! Yeah, I'm pretty much committed to replacing the pump at this point. Just my luck, that won't be the problem. But I'm hoping it is, since I didn't get any life out of it with the direct connection to the battery. Anyway, thanks again for the response. I think I can deal with that.

I'm noticing that none of the generic pumps seems to have the thick rubber seat for the bottom of the pump that fits into the metal bracket. And the generic pumps don't seem like they will fit into the rubber seat that I've got. How to get around that?

Ha-ha! jonathan909! And thank you, GD! That's exactly what I'll do. I don't have much choice but to always go the cheapest possible route. And joila! It's out.

Definitely USPS. My mailbox is only a 1/4 mile away. I can walk that. Even though it's mostly uphill going, it is mostly downhill coming back.

That's what I was wondering, if it was safe to use WD-40. I'll try that (and the skinny screwdriver and pushing) after lunch. Thanks, again. EDIT: Oh, and that's another problem. I can't get anything delivered by UPS. They had a hard enough time negotiating my driveway when there wasn't a car blocking the turn-around spot. Now, it would be impossible for them and their big truck.

Ha! No such luck on the local parts source. But I will shop around for the best deal online and then wait impatiently until it gets here. That's IF I can even get this beast out of the gas tank! Any tips/tricks on removing a stubborn rubber fuel line? I've got everything else disconnected, but can't get the main (middle) fuel line off. I've twisted it with pliers and it does turn. But it's not wanting to pull off. And as you know, there's not much room to work with there. I'm just trying not to damage it and make matters worse...

Alrightee-then. Next step: yank the fuel pump and sending unit assembly and verify exactly what kind/size of new fuel pump I need. From what I've been reading/seeing, there are at least 2-3 possibilities. A couple different sizes and one with a plug connection and another with 2 post connections. Once I see which type/size I've got, I'll get that ordered and hopefully that will solve the problem. Then, I'll just wait around for the next old part to die. Thank you jonathan909 for your invaluable assistance!

Absolutely no sound from the fuel pump. Had good solid connections at both the battery and plug. And I verified that the new battery did in fact have a good charge (it did). So correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that indicate a dead fuel pump in need of replacement?

Ha-ha! Look what I discovered in my little box of misc. electrical connectors. So back down I go...

Yeah, my problem is, I'm stuck at home - way out in the country - by myself. So I'm desperately trying to make do with what I've got on hand. Shopping for things isn't an option at the moment. Anyway, while I was pondering what to do about testing the fuel pump plug, I decided to go ahead and see if I could find the relay switch under the dash. OMG! Could they make that thing any more difficult to get at?? After removing the cover under the steering wheel. I finally found the green plug, tucked way up under the dash, behind all kinds of thick bundles of wiring. It's practically on the inner side of the left front wheel well!That's going to be whole 'nother challenge, if I have to end up replacing that.

Since it's a station wagon, the bottom of the back seat actually comes out fairly easy (after I get all the crap off it). As for yanking the entire fuel pump and sending unit assembly, I've already watched several videos about that and it does seem fairly easy (albeit messy). I'll probably have to resort to that if no other ideas are forthcoming. Here's a picture showing my attempt at attaching the smallest alligator clips I have to the plug. Managed to squeeze in the ground clip - flying blind. But there's simply not enough room to squeeze in the other one.