How To Find The Fuel Pump Relay Location In Your Vehicle
How To Find The Fuel Pump Relay Location In Your Vehicle
Are you experiencing issues with your vehicle not starting, and suspect it could be due to the fuel pump relay?
This article will walk you through some background information, tips for diagnosing whether that’s the cause, and a few possible solutions.
In case you don’t know yet, the fuel pump relay supplies voltage to the fuel pump, allowing it to do its job of pushing fuel to the engine through the fuel lines. If that doesn’t happen, your vehicle may crank but not start because it’s not receiving fuel to the fuel injectors needed for combustion.
At MAKS TIPM Rebuilders we primarily specialize in issues related to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles with TIPMs (totally integrated power modules), as well as older or newer model CDJR vehicles with IPMs (integrated power modules), FCMs (front control modules), BCMs (body control modules) and PDCs (power distribution centers).
So, the details below mainly pertain to these vehicles, but could be generally helpful for other vehicles as well.
First check the fuel pump fuse
Before you embark on your search for the fuel pump relay, make sure you have first checked the fuel pump fuse to see if it has blown. It is all too common to worry about an expensive, complex cause for the issue when it’s actually a simple fuse that’s the culprit.
In vehicles with a TIPM, M25 is the external fuse responsible for powering the fuel pump. It can be accessed by removing the lid of the TIPM. See an example image below, although different TIPMs have different layouts. Here’s a breakdown of different TIPM types by vehicle.
If the fuse checks out, let’s find the relay.
Fuel Pump Relay Location
In most vehicles, the fuel pump relay location is inside the fuse box in the engine bay. This usually looks like a long black box that contains various fuses and relays that enable different parts of your car to function properly. Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, the fuse box might be located under the hood, in the trunk, near the steering column, or on the firewall, which is the area between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment. If you’re having trouble finding the fuel pump relay location, check the owner’s manual for your vehicle for help.
On vehicles with a TIPM, the fuel pump relay is an internal component located on the board that can be accessed through the back cover of the TIPM. You can see an example in the image above. Unfortunately for DIYers, this relay is soldered directly to the circuit board, and to replace it both safely and effectively usually requires a professional with proper equipment and training to prevent creating more issues.
But, there are still relatively inexpensive and simple solutions for vehicle owners.
addressing a faulty relay with a Fuel Pump Relay Bypass
One of the quickest, easiest, and more affordable ways to deal with this common issue is simply bypassing this relay altogether through a fuel pump bypass relay kit. In fact, this issue is so common that there are multiple options on the market.
Here at MAKS, we’ve designed our own Fuel Pump Relay Bypass that works with million of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles on the road today, built from 2007 through 2020. By installing it, you can still supply power to the fuel pump without relying on the relay. If the relay is indeed the issue, this can be a simple and inexpensive resolution.
It should be noted that not all bypasses function the same way. For instance, some kits use the ignition switch circuit as a bypass solution, but this can also circumvent safety features such as automatically shutting down the fuel pump in an accident. The MAKS fuel pump relay works with automatic shutdown (ASD) features to maintain safety.
Other bypass kits also require modifications to wiring, fuses and cables, making them still a bit daunting for an untrained DIYer. We designed ours to be truly plug-and-play, with simple instructions. Here’s a quick installation video.
Repairing or Replacing Your TIPM/Fuse Box
The other way to resolve a fuel pump relay issue on a TIPM is to have your TIPM repaired, or purchase a rebuilt unit. MAKS offers the most thorough TIPM repair services and most reliable rebuilt TIPMs you can find online.
You can order a TIPM repair service here, or find a replacement rebuilt TIPM here.
And, if you’re still not sure whether the fuel pump relay is your issue, don’t hesitate to contact the MAKS customer support team. We’re happy to walk you through additional troubleshooting and diagnosis steps. You can reach them via email at support@tipmrebuilders.com, or by phone at 1-818-798-5558.
