Where is the relay for the fuel pump located?

The fuel pump relay is a critical component in a vehicle's fuel system, responsible for controlling the operation of the fuel pump. Its location can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, but it is typically found in one of a few common locations.

Common Locations of the Fuel Pump Relay

• Under the hood, often near the fuse box or the engine compartment


• Inside the passenger compartment, such as under the dashboard or in the center console


• In the trunk or behind the rear seat, near the fuel tank

The exact location of the fuel pump relay can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual or by consulting a repair manual for the specific make and model. It's important to note that the relay may be part of a larger component, such as a relay center or power distribution module, so it may not be immediately visible.

Identifying the Fuel Pump Relay

Once you've located the general area where the fuel pump relay is likely to be found, you can identify it by looking for a relay that is labeled "fuel pump" or has a symbol that indicates it controls the fuel pump. The relay may also be located near other components related to the fuel system, such as the fuel pump itself or the fuel filter.

If you're unsure which relay is the fuel pump relay, you can use a multimeter to test the relay's functionality or consult a repair manual for the specific wiring diagram and relay identification information for your vehicle.

How to find your fuel pump relay?

Side of the vehicle. So in other words right here is around where your foot would be located. And right here is the piece of uh usually a plastic piece you just remove. And you see this bracket.

How to check if a fuel pump relay is bad?

You can check if a fuel pump relay is bad by first observing symptoms like a car that cranks but won't start or sudden stalling, then using a multimeter to test the relay for continuity and proper voltage response, or by swapping it with an identical relay to see if the problem is resolved. A quick check is to listen for the fuel pump's typical priming sound when the key is turned to the "on" position; a lack of this sound can indicate a bad relay. 
Symptoms of a bad fuel pump relay 
This video explains the signs and symptoms of a bad fuel pump relay: 56sMechanical BoostYouTube · Dec 25, 2024

• Engine won't start: The most common sign is an engine that cranks but doesn't fire up. 
• Engine stalls or hesitates: The engine may stall while driving or hesitate during acceleration. 
• No fuel pump noise: When you turn the ignition to the "on" position (not start), you should hear a faint buzzing or whirring sound from the fuel pump. A lack of this sound suggests the relay isn't powering the pump. 
• Check engine light is on: A faulty relay can trigger a check engine light. 
• Intermittent starting issues: The car may start sometimes and not others, indicating an unreliable connection. 
• Rough idling or misfires: The engine might run poorly because it's not getting a consistent fuel supply. 
• Engine dies immediately after starting: The engine starts and then immediately shuts off, as if it's out of gas. 

How to test the relay
1. The "swap" method (easiest)

• Locate your vehicle's fuse box and find the fuel pump relay. 
• Look for another relay in the same fuse box that has the exact same part number and is for a non-critical system (like the horn or AC). 
• Swap the relays. If the car now starts and runs, your old fuel pump relay is bad and needs to be replaced. 

This video demonstrates how to test a fuel pump relay by swapping it with another relay: 37sCar FixYouTube · May 25, 2024
2. The multimeter method

• Remove the fuel pump relay from the fuse box. 
• Use the diagram on the relay to identify the terminals (e.g., 1, 2, 3, and 5). 
• Connect a 12-volt power source to terminals 1 and 2 (this is the coil). You should hear a click and the contacts (3 and 5) should close. 
• Use a multimeter to test for a connection between terminals 3 and 5. If the multimeter shows an open circuit, the relay is bad. 
• To check the control circuit, connect your multimeter's leads to the correct terminals and measure the resistance in ohms. You can use your vehicle's wiring diagram for specific values, but a reading between 50 and 200 ohms is typical, according to this YouTube video. 
• This method can also be used to check for voltage at the fuel pump itself to confirm the relay is sending the correct signal. 

This video shows how to test a relay using a multimeter: 29sWard WrenchingYouTube · Apr 17, 2023

Which relay controls the fuel pump?

The electric fuel pump on a vehicle with a spark ignition engine is controlled by a fuel pump relay. The engine control module (ECM) activates the relay when operating conditions are correct. For safety purposes, the fuel pump relay is only activated when an engine speed signal is received by the ECM.

Where is the fuel pump relay reset?

The fuel pump relay is usually in the fuse box or a relay box. Look under the hood or inside the car. The repair manual or fuse box labels can help you find it.