Ok, so I've got a '77 longbed here with (i think) a bad fuel pump. Only starts/runs when gas is poured into the top of the engine. (on the bright side, we did get it moved out into the open today.)

First thing's first: Where is the pump located? I looked underneath, but I didn't see it. Leads me to believe it is inside the tank.

#2: There is a wire near the tank/frame rail that appears to be a ground wire. However it is cut. Might this be my only problem?

#3: If not the fuel pump (or lack of power to it), then what is the problem?


Also while starting it today, the Charge (and oil, but that's easy enough) light was on. I'm not particularly car smart, so what does this mean?

 

The pump is in the tank. You can put an aftermarket pump on the frame and leave the stocker in the tank if you don't want to drop the tank should it prove to be bad not a blown fuse etc.

If the charge light is accompanied by the e brake light then you have a charging system failure.

 

Had a similar problem on a 78. Have you checked for power at the pump yet?

 

did not check for power at the pump as i should have. There is now a subaru pump installed next to the engine. here lies the problem, however.

The subaru pump works (for a fact.) however, the fuel pump wires that we connected to it flash between ground and no ground. (which could have been why the stock pump wasn't working, but it's only $7 loss if so) So now, i need to know where the fuel pump relay is.

 

under the dash by the steering column... I added an extra ground strap from my frame to the gas tank to ensure a good ground

 

Did the extra strap fix any ground issues you had?

I found and pulled the relay the other day (i had looked under there before without seeing it. If it were a snake, I would have been bitten.) , but I haven't had a chance to replace it if it's the problem.

 

Mine was all ground issues... if i remember correctly, when you turn your ignition to the on position
your relay should click. Also make sure your oil presssure sending wire is unplugged. Its the one between the oil filter and starter. Its tied into your fuel pump wiring for safety.

 

Does it only click if the sending wire is unplugged? I tried it today (without it unplugged) and not a titter came from the relay.

From what i've been reading, it is most commonly a ground issue, so we'll see.

 

i dont remember if it needs to be unplugged or not.... i would start with unplugging the sending unit wire first then start your trouble shooting

 

She lives again!

got the fuel pump grounded today. drove the truck around the house for about 15 min.
Now, however, it turns out we need to pull the tank because the filter inside is rather clogged. After the 15 minute drive, the pump had trouble getting fuel and we could only run the truck for short periods of time.

 

I already had the same problem in my toyota 78 truck. You should check the power at the pump. It might fix the problem.
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