If you are driving a Chevrolet (pickup) truck, then the knowledge about how to jump fuel pump relay on Chevy truck can be highly handy. The failing pump relay will definitely affect the car’s ability to pump the fuel, and it would prevent the car from starting. In the event you can’t replace or fix the fuel pump relay right away, considering a relay bypass can be a good solution. The question is: Do you know how to do it?
Fuel Pump Relay: How It Works
Before learning about how to jump fuel pump relay on Chevy truck, it would be wiser to learn how the relay itself works. You see, fuel pump relay powers (or activates) the fuel pump which supplies the car’s PCM (Powertrain Control Module). When you turn the car on, this PCM would activate the fuel pump through energizing the fuel pump relay.
The relay would then close the circuit, so the fuel pump can pump the fuel to the engine. When the relay is broken or damaged, the system won’t be able to complete the entire circuit. As a result, transfer of power is being prevented to the fuel pump. Moreover, the relay also functions as the fuel pump timer, which can pre-pressurize the system whenever you activate the car. When you bypass the relay, it can cause the fuel being pumped within high pressure.
The Steps
When you want to perform the bypass (or the jump fuel pump relay on the Chevrolet truck), here are the steps that you need to do:
- Your car should be parked within a flat ground.
- Open the hood and find the relay center. It’s typically on the engine compartment’s right side, right behind the side headlamp of the driver
- You should be able to find the relay inside the black plastic box containing the entire relays of the car
- Remove the cover (from under-hood center)
- Consult your cover’s diagram to find the fuel pump relay
- Remove the 4-pin relay from the (relay) center
- Take a copper wire (use the small diameter with five inch of length) and strip around ½ inch from each end. Use a wire stripper to do it
- Insert one end to the pin slot (upper left of the 4-pin receptacle) where the relay plugs to the center
- Insert the other end to the lower right slot
- Try starting the car. Check whether it works
- When both ends are seated correctly, the fuel pump would turn on
Another alternative is to find within the fuse box another relay, which should have the similar number part. Often times, another relay (having the same number part) will run something that is not needed for the engine (to start), like the horn relay. If you swap the relay, it would be even more ideal. In fact, it would be a faster way to test it.
A lot of car enthusiasts suggest this method. You can try it out first. But if you can’t find the similar number, then jump start it.
The Obvious Signs
If the relay is bad, there are some obvious signs that you should be aware of:
- You see the ‘Check Engine’ light on
- You experience idling or stalling engine
- The acceleration is pretty rough
- You can’t hear ‘noise’ from the fuel pump. The normal pump would produce whirring sound whenever you turn the ignition on. You won’t hear it.
Considerations
It would be quite simple to jump the pump relay on the GM or Chevy truck. However, if you have a different model, you will have to consult the schematic or diagram of your own Chevrolet. Check the year and also model). After knowing how to jump fuel pump relay on Chevy truck, you should never feel clueless anymore.