Common symptoms of a broken fuel pump relayThe mentioned symptoms alert drivers that the car is likely to have an issue with its fuel pump relay: How it worksIf the relay to the fuel pump fails, then the electric power required for its operation is not reached and this causes various problems which affect seriously on vehicle performance. Engine does not start, that is one of the very early symptoms of a failing fuel pump relay. The fuel pump relay is the device that controls the power sent to the fuel pump, and in this situation, without it function, the fuel system will not be pressurized meaning that your engine cannot receive any of what its burning. A 2020 report by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) revealed that around 7 percent of no-start conditions in automobiles arise from faulty fuel pump relays.
Engine Stalling: This is another common symptom. In the event that the relay fails while the engine is running, the fuel pump will work intermittently: it may personally switch on and off. The engine can also stall due to this, mostly when the vehicle is idling or under load. If you suddenly come to a halt and then are able to start your car again after a few minutes, this could be the effect of fuel pump relay overheating or failing sometimes.
A faulty fuel pump relay may cause the check engine light to come on as well. The engine control module (ECM) monitors the fuel system and fuel pressure, and if it sees an issue in the system losing pressure through the operation of a failed or failing fuel pump, DTCs like P0230 (Fuel Pump Primary Circuit Malfunction) or P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low) can be stored. Those codes can be read with an OBD-II scanner and show you where the problem might be, directing your attention to the relay.
Price wise, a fuel pump relay is quite affordable, sometimes costing as low as $20 to $ 50 depending on the vehicle. Failing to replace the relay in a timely manner, though, may cause the vehicle to need a tow or even more extensive repairs, bumping up the total cost in a huge way. A report that was published in 2021 by AAA showed that fuel system repairs with relay issues, might cost drivers anywhere from $400 to $600 or more depending on the complexity of the fuel system and labor rates.
As the businessperson Elon Musk — who hung it up in his office — told us, "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link... actually you are only as fast and am best as your slowest component." This certainly goes for the fuel pump relay, a tiny but very important part in maintaining your car's continuous drive across the road.
In short, if the fuel pump relay goes bad, you will not be able to start your car., the engine may stall out, and the check engine light in your dashboard will turn ON. Swiftly replacing a defective relay can save you from having to make even greater repairs later on. To read more about fuel pumps or relay diagnosis and replacement, check out the Fuel Pump.