Slightly OT- Fuel pump failure on my 325i Cab...

[fastpat]

I had total fuel pump cessation on my '89 E30, which I correctly diagnosed as the fuel pump relay. Brian the Parts Pimp, actually one of his associates, sent me a new one which I installed. The car started and ran fine, for about 20 minutes. I wanted the machine to get good and warm after having not been operated for a few weeks, and to top off the battery too.

I then took off down the drive way, an approximately 6% grade, drove about 50 feet whereupon it stopped running.

I'll be going through the littany of trouble shooting this weekend, any suggestions as to what would have failed this time so suddenly? Has anyone seen enough corrosion on the fuel pump wiring to raise the resistance high enough to take out a new relay? There are no blown fuses, checked those. I haven't jumpered the fuel pump for operation yet, so that could be it, just a coincidental failure right after a new part is installed.

[Kyle in NO]

The E30 pumps seem to do this when going out. Try lifting up the back seat and beating vigorously on the fuel pump cover to see if it comes back to life! Probably needs a new pump, they seem to be flaky...

[Mless5]

I had the plug start craking from age or maybe previous owner played with it, so it was pretty loose. If it is, resistance goes up and...

[fastpat]

Thanks, gentlemen.

I ran through some of the tests in the Bentley, and they indicated a dead fuel pump. Since it's more than 16 years, and 133,000 miles old, it's time for a new one, ordered from Mr. Haygood today.