3 Steps Guide on How to start a car with a bad fuel pump + Symptoms of a Bad fuel pump

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Last updated on July 16th, 2023 at 10:32 am

Are you having issues with your car fuel pump? Well, learn how to start an engine with a bad fuel pump with this step by step guide. We will also look at common symptoms of a fuel pump going bad and

Certain components in the car are very essential but, without some of these components being in perfect condition, the car can still move. One essential component in a car is a fuel pump. A fuel pump is an essential component in the car that is responsible for pumping or transferring liquid fuels from a fuel tank to the internal combustion engine at a suitable pressure. When the fuel pump is bad, it is good you replace it immediately. A bad fuel pump can lead to other problems that will affect the performance level of the car. With a bad fuel pump, you can still manage to move the car.

How to Start a Car with a Bad Fuel Pump

How to start an engine with a bad fuel pump 

When you start the car and it refuses to hum, it most likely due to a bad fuel pump that is preventing the car from starting. But, before you conclude on that, there are potential symptoms of a bad fuel pump you should know of, if you noticed any of these signs, maybe it is time to replace the fuel pump.

Meanwhile, we had written an article earlier on HOW TO FIX A FUEL PUMP WITHOUT REPLACING IT

You might have to read that post after this post to learn so you can fix your car fuel pump problem even after you are able to start your car follow the steps we are going to giving in this post on how to start an engine with a bad fuel pump. 

6 Symptoms of a bad fuel pump| Symptoms of a Fuel Pump Going Bad

So below are the symptoms of a fuel pump going bad. If you experience any of these symptoms, you have to sort for a solution especially after you tried starting the car and it refuses to start. You might also have to read this article to see how you can fix the fuel pump yourself.

  • Difficult to start:

The first symptoms of a bad fuel pump you will notice with your vehicle is difficulty starting your car and that why we will consider how to start a car with a bad fuel pump

When the car refuses to start and there is sufficient fuel in the fuel tank, then it is likely a bad fuel pump condition. Even if you are able to start the car and it took more cranks, then it is time to replace the fuel pump.

  • Engine hesitation/sputtering:

Next symptoms of a fuel pump going bad is engine hesitation or sputtering. This is usually noticed when driving at a high speed and all of a sudden the engine sputters and then return to normal performance. This is one of the usual signs of a bad fuel pump and you should pay attention to it.

  • Car surging:

 A bad fuel pump can cause car surging. When the car starts surging, you will notice that the car accelerates in a very random manner without stepping on the gas pedal.

  • Unusual noise not from the engine, but the fuel tank:

The unusual sound or noise when you start a car can be caused by a bad fuel pump. When there is no pressure to transfer fuel to the engine, the noise occurs. Sometimes, an unusual sound in a car could mean a different problem aside fuel pump issue. To be sure what the problem is, a proper car diagnosis should be done.

  • Poor fuel economy:

 One easy way to tell the fuel pump has gone bad is when you constantly visit a gas station. The fuel burns at a high rate probably because a valve within the fuel pump isn’t opening resulting to more fuel pouring into the engine system which is not ideal as excess fuel in the engine is never used.

  • High-temperature gauge.

A high temp gauge is another symptom of a fuel pump going bad. The frequent occurrence of rising temperature in the car is a simple way to tell that the fuel pump is not working. This usually happens with a high temperature and stalling. When this becomes too often, you need to replace the fuel pump immediately.

Related Article: 5 Common Fuel Injector Problems Symptoms and Solutions and Effects Driving with Bad Fuel Injector (11 Signs of Bad Fuel Injectors)

Despite that the fuel pump is bad and should be replaced, there are alternative but temporarily steps you can take to help you move your car. Below guide on how to start a car with a bad fuel pump will give you an idea of what to do.

Understanding how to fix certain things in a car without the services of an auto expert can be intriguingly cost saving.

Car issues like a bad fuel pump is a common problem that car owners are usually faced with. So the listed symptoms of a bad fuel pump above are the most common ones that indicate signs or symptoms of a fuel pump going bad or even damaged.

When there is no adequate pressure in the engine, it misfires. With a bad fuel pump, you can still drive your car home or anywhere you wish to take your car to for inspection. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed here, obviously, you need a new fuel pump.

Aside from that, there are things you can do to manage the condition of the bad fuel pump which is shown below on the second part of this post on how to start an engine with a bad fuel pump.

So if you are read lets started with how to start a car with a bad fuel pump

Related Article: Can You Drive a Car with a Missing Spark Plug

How to start a car with a bad fuel pump

So here is how to start a car with a bad fuel pump and don’t need to start coming a mechanic the first instance your car displays some symptoms of a bad fuel pump above we talked about.

You want to first try out these steps below and see if it turns on the engine of your car. If it does, then you can drive your car for that day and later take to the auto or a mechanic.

How to start an engine with a bad fuel pump 

  • #1. Attach a fuel pressure gauge.

The first step on How to start an engine with a bad fuel pump is for you to simply just fix a pressure gauge to the car. When the ignition is turned on and the car didn’t start due to damages and bad fuel pump, all you have to do is to attach a pressure gauge with your car’s engine. This method is one of the surest ways of starting a car with a bad fuel pump. A fuel pressure gauge gives you an idea about the actual failing of the vehicle’s engine.

You can ALSO watch this video too HOW TO START A CAR WITH A BAD FUEL PUMP.

  • #2. Maintain the car engine’s heat.

Temperature rising is a sign of a bad fuel pump. If you want to manage the fuel pump that way, then you should allow the car to get cool. With this, it will help reset itself. Maintaining an appropriate amount of heat in a car helps you deal with a fuel pump problem. When a significant amount of heat is maintained, it helps in stabilizing the engine. This method is one of the simple tactics car owners applies when the fuel pump starts malfunctioning. It is easy and straight to the point. You do not need years of driving experience to be able to do this.

  • #3. Apply external pressure.

When looking step on how to start a car with a bad fuel pump is for to add pressure to your vehicle. You are doing this because if the fuel pump is bad, there won’t be an appropriate pressure that will pump fuel to into the vehicle engine. And when there is an insignificant amount of pressure to a car engine, it makes the car engine to stalls and it won’t be able to power the engine for it to start. When this happens, it requires you to try adding external pressure to your vehicle engine. This external pressure you added it what will help start the engine.

This is how to start an engine with a bad fuel pump. Alternatively, you can just change your fuel pump is very inexpensive and is what all the stress. If the steps above did not start your car and you have changed your fuel pump, then know that the problem is serious and might even involve other components of the car other than the fuel pump.

In a situation like this, it is appropriate you consult an experienced mechanic and have him or her to run a further diagnosis on the vehicle.

Or you can watch this video for more ways to check for a bad fuel pump.

Conclusion on How to start a car with a bad fuel pump

The methods listed here are temporal solutions just to help you start your car when your fuel pump is faulty. Before your car stops on the high way, it must have shown you symptoms which you ignored. Driving a car with a bad fuel pump is risky as it might lead to some other problems.

When you notice any of the symptoms listed out already, do well by replacing it. It is also vital you are informed of simple fuel system tips such as:

  • Cleaning the fuel injectors: There are impurities or particles in the fuel. These impurities can cause a fuel pump to go bad. To get rid of these impurities in the fuel, add a fuel injector cleaner to your fuel tank.
  • Keep in-Tank fuel pumps cool: Do not allow your fuel tank to get empty. Having fuel tank close to full will help keep the fuel pump from overheating and reduces fragments from entering into the fuel system through the strainer and also through the fuel pump.

I hope this post on How to start a car with a bad fuel pump has helped you see how to start an engine with a bad fuel pump? Is this article has helped you in anyways please share?  You might all have to read this article on how to fix any of the symptoms of a bad fuel pump listed above

Also read this: 11 Best Car Speakers with Bass tor try this year

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