Bad fuel pump, or multiple problems?

[dullard]

Honda Civic 2002. 160k miles. Symptoms:

1) Starts perfectly and instantly with full tank, struggles significantly to start with a tank 1/4 full or less. It turns over after a few seconds of cranking, but just barely.

2) Fuel gauge works correctly from full tank down to 1/2 tank. Random readings below that level (may say it is 1/2 full, 1/4 full, or bone dry for a few miles then randomly switch to a different position).

3) Struggles up steep hills on a hot day on the interstate. I can barely notice it when driving with cruise control on, but it is struggling enough that the cruise control goes haywire (usually shuts off) if the cruise control is on. No driving problems on a cool day, or off the interstate, or on flat/downhill roads.

I suspect that a failing fuel pump could cause all those issues, but I know very little about cars.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

When is the last time you did the fuel filter?

 

[dullard]

About 1.5 years ago (at 120k miles) I took it to the dealer and told them to change everything - all fluids, all belts, all filters, etc. I'd have to go back through the records and see if they changed the fuel filter or not though.

 

[AMCRambler]

A failing fuel pump will usually throw a check engine light with something like low fuel pressure at fuel rail. Not saying that's not it but its possible. Also you could have gotten some bad gas so the fuel filter would be a cheap try at a fix.

Also if you've got no check engine light showing, it would be worth getting someone with a code puller to see if there are any codes stored. Your check engine light could have burned out and you wouldn't know till you went for an inspection.

The other thing to check is the air filter and air box. My 92 Honda was like a magnet for chipmunks hoarding acorns for the winter. I first noticed my car with a lack of power. I popped the air box for a look and under the filter they had it chock full of acorns. Also chewed up some of the filter. After that, every fall I'd pop the air box open and clean out their stores.

If all that checks out it could be plugs/wires or maybe the ignition coil going bad. I'd pull the plugs and check them. If they look toasted replace them. They're cheap.

Last thing it could be is the O2 sensors going bad. Once they stop reading right the car's computer starts running in limp mode and your performance drops. This should definitely throw a code though so if you don't seen anything at step 2 I'd doubt this is the problem.

 

[windsurfer13]

Just replaced my fuel pump at 120,0000 ....this is after breaking down 4 times in past 8 months. Dealer said OK first time broke down. Week later they all of a sudden had codes and replaced the tdc sensor and eld circuit. Broke down again this past Friday and had to be towed. This is six months after replacing sensor etc...same symptoms...driving along and just lost all power. Now wondering if fuel pump the whole time and wondering why it went bad after constant dealer maintenance. Other three times it did crank after sitting. Not this time...And had burnt wires???

 

[Jeza]

Just replaced my fuel pump at 120,0000 ....this is after breaking down 4 times in past 8 months. Dealer said OK first time broke down. Week later they all of a sudden had codes and replaced the tdc sensor and eld circuit. Broke down again this past Friday and had to be towed. This is six months after replacing sensor etc...same symptoms...driving along and just lost all power. Now wondering if fuel pump the whole time and wondering why it went bad after constant dealer maintenance. Other three times it did crank after sitting. Not this time...And had burnt wires???

Did replacing the fuel pump fix the problem? Do you know the codes that your car had? I'm having identical problems. Will start and run fine, then sometimes (on freeway or under heavy load on warm days) the engine will just stop. Have to wait about 30 seconds before restarting and it runs fine. However when I start it after it stalls, it does sound like fuel was deprived as it takes an extra second or so of cranking before it turns over.

 

[dullard]

Replacing the fuel pump fixed all of my problems except for the cruise control. The fuel pump was fine, but the plastic part that holds it in the tank broke and the pump was just bouncing around the tank randomly. Thus the fuel pump was just sucking air on hills or when the tank got low.

 

[Jeza]

Replacing the fuel pump fixed all of my problems except for the cruise control. The fuel pump was fine, but the plastic part that holds it in the tank broke and the pump was just bouncing around the tank randomly. Thus the fuel pump was just sucking air on hills or when the tank get low.

Haha that would do it! Mine cuts out even with a full tank, but the fuel gauge isn't working correctly so I might pull it apart and have a look there.

 

[tortillasoup]

A bad/failing main relay or any of the major relays could cause issues with the car just suddenly dying while cruising. Also a bad/failing ignition switch as well. Clean up all electrical connectiosn, especiall grounds, scrub until shiny.