Jump to content
Escort Cabriolet Club

Tennis Fuel Problem


steve54
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi,

I have replaced the fuel pump and it works when connected directly to a power supply but totally dead when connected to the original wiring, I have checked with a meter at the contacts and it is also dead. Prior to replacing the pump I tested the electrics at the connection plug and there was power but the pump itself did not work hence the reason for replacing it, now there is no power to it.  I read a few years ago about a separate pump relay located in the cockpit steering wheel area, I have looked and had a feel around but have come across nothing.

Am I wrong in my thoughts or does anyone have a more accurate location for it? I have had a problem when searching for a replacement relay, does anyone know the correct part number, or any info please?

Thanks in advance

Steve - 1989 Escort Cabrio Tennis

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, An Update

I have put the car on a ramp and with the aid of a mirror I can see a yellow relay and a green relay both about an inch square and a larger black box which I guess is also a relay with a black wire, 2 green wires and 2 brown wires going into it.

Any info would be appreciated especially a part number would be great.

Again thanks in advance

Steve - 1989 Escort Cabrio Tennis

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Update 3

I have since found out that the black relay is the cold start relay, so I am no further advanced in solving the problem, however some further information which hopefully may jog someone's memory in helping me solve the problem.

A helpful person who had one of the black relays for sale informed me that it was the cold start relay and he was under the impression that the fuel pump relay was a purple one but when I looked under the dash again in addition to the black cold start relay I could only see a yellow relay and a green relay.

According to the Ford Escort Owners Handbook the relay is located in position "V" in the main fuse box in the engine bay however this position is vacant in the Tennis Cabrio, having owned the car since virtually new I am confident that there was never one in this position.

Has anyone had to change their fuel pump relay if so where did you find it and which one is it? Or any info would be helpful.

Once again thanks in advance.

Steve - 1989 Escort Cabrio Tennis

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Ian

Thank you for your reply I will try a direct earth to the pump, do you know which of the pump plugs goes to the earth ie the white or the black plug? 

When I get a moment I will remove the drivers seat and see if I can get a better view ender the dash, so far I have been trying to see under there with a torch and mirror.

Reading through some of the old forums some comments have referred to a purple relay which I have not seen under there but I can see a red socket at the far right of the bank I am wondering if that may be the one. I have a Haynes manual but cannot find a solution in there.

Ho Hum the joys of an enthusiast.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is the Tennis an MFI or EFI? Can't quite remember!

The MFI cars had a purple relay which should be clipped to the steering column frame. The EFI cars had the relay in the fuse box. I think from memory they may have been yellow and square.

Check the voltage across the pump when connected. It should be battery voltage for 1 second when switching the ignition on and then again when cranking.

Cheers

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Paul

Thanks for your reply, I have double checked as most info I have been given has mentioned the relay being under the dash which as you can see above I have been looking for which I think refers to an MFI, however I have just checked the original Ford Vehicle and Customer Service Record Assurance Certificate and it list's as Cabriolet Tennis 1.6EFI

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The inlet manifold bolted on the back of the engine shows Efi stamped in big letters on the front, and also mfi will have a distributor cap on the right hand side of the engine, efi has a coil pack instead. Have you got a Haynes mk4 manual ,it’s like a bible for cars and shows you lots of close ups of parts, well worth buying one. We alll had to start somewhere as you are doing now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your replies and thanks Ian for info to help clarify the engine, despite the original ford purchase paperwork which says it is an EFI it does have a dizzy on the right and FORD on the manifold so it is the MFI.

I do have a Haynes manual "Ford Escort (petrol) Sept 1980 to Sept1990" which cover 1117cc to 1597cc it does not cover RS1600i or revised Escort range Sept 1990. Is there a better or more appropriate manual.

I have worked out the brown lead to the pump is the earth, so I will try a direct earth lead connection and see if that works which at least will show if there is a earth connection fault.

I have also noticed there is a thin tube/hose that goes up inside the wheel arch to a small box like item adjacent to the fuel filler that is not connected as the connection is broken, I have looked in the manual and cannot identify what this is does any one know?

Thanks again as the saga continues.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve, I know you said the wiring was dead going to the pump but it could be the live or the earth.

Put your meter across the pump wires (with it connected) and test the voltage when it should be running i.e. when you first switch on for 1 second or when cranking. You should have battery voltage. If not then try it again with the probe that was on the earth wire now going to a known good earth (even if it means running a wire back to the battery). If you now have battery voltage then it is the earth at fault. If you still don't then it is the feed. At least then you will know what side of the circuit to investigate.

Cheers Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

I thought you are overdue an update, I eventually found the correct relay and it was as said in the suggestions under the dash tucked right out of the way (not being a contortionist it did take a while to get to it) I replaced it and all works fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...