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Topic: HELP!! where is the fuel pump relay?!?
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racingstripecat
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bullet Topic: HELP!! where is the fuel pump relay?!?
    Posted: 15 November 2005 at 2:03am

i have a 77 280Z and the fuel pump broke on me.  i put a brand new one on there, and she ran brilliantly. until i took it on a test drive, and  on a hill (after filling up the tank) it just died.  no sputter, it just silently died.  i was told it was probably a fuel pump relay, but i can't find it on the car.  i called motorsport and they gave me the WRONG location.  i tore the dash apart to no avail.  where is it?!??  i've torn through 5 haynes and 2 chiltons and nothing shows this silly thing.  it is not near the shock tower (unless i'm totally blind)  HELP

thanks
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racingstripecat
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bullet Posted: 15 November 2005 at 2:09am

p.s.  i'm leaving the northwest in a few weeks for arizona, and if i can't get my z roadworthy, i'll sell it for whatever i can get for it.  offers will be accepted, but i'd prefer to take it.  oh, if this helps anybody diagnose this problem, here's what i've thrown at it so far

1.fuel filter (this is the second i've put on, the car sat for a long time so the rust in the tank clogged up the first one pretty quick, i didn't know gas could be a red/orange mix!)

2.fuel pump

3.air flow meter off another 77

4.tune up

a.wires

b.bosch super plugs (i was told this was the way to go because they work well with the bosch l-jetronic fuel injection system)

c.cap and rotor

and a bunch of other things i can't remember at the moment

 
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racingstripecat
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bullet Posted: 15 November 2005 at 2:11am
one more thing, the fram fuel filter i bought at schucks was quite a bit larger than the deutsch fuel filter i bought at autozone, does this matter at all?  the fram wouldn't even fit in the bracket, and the deutsch was a perfect fit (and a lot cheaper)  anybody know about this at all?
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Bleach
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bullet Posted: 15 November 2005 at 9:59am

I think MSA was thinking you had a 280ZX. The relay for that car is in the dash behind the glovebox.

unfortunatly I don't know where the relay is in a 280Z. I think it is in the engine compartment near the battery but I'm not certain which one it is...
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Bleach
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bullet Posted: 15 November 2005 at 10:51am

Ok, I ran a search on my favorite Z website, Zdriver.com

Here's some random answers I'm going to throw out for you.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

..if you have a 76. The ignition relay/fuel pump relay is sort of just above and off to the side of the hood pull opener handle. This is one relay with about 9 - 10 pins, and a black & white connectors. Make sure the black is on the bottom, as these can be swapped.

A 77/78 has seperate relays for the ignition, fuel pump, and a Fuel Pump relay circuit. They are located underneath the black sheet metal cover, between the battery and the front suspension strut on the passenger side (right side/ U.S. models).

Another place I would look is the Air Flow Meter, there is a pump cutoff switch in it. Just unplug the conector on the bottom and see if the pump cuts out(with the engine off). The switch should be open with the engine not running, once the engine is running it is closed. This is a quick check to see if the contacts a welded. Good Luck.


 
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datsunaholic
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bullet Posted: 15 November 2005 at 11:04am
Being that I replaced it, it's a dual-relay with an aluminum case that's mounted just above the hood release lever. It has 2 large square plugs.

I replaced the fuel filter the day before I sold it to 'ya. And the fuel pump (albiet with a used one). The 510 you traded me had so much rust in the tank it coated the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket with a quarter inch of sludge when I drained the tank. The fuel came out brownish orange. I'm still getting crap out after 3 tanks, I bought a case of filters but so far the V-8 race filter I'm using is holding up.
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racingstripecat
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bullet Posted: 15 November 2005 at 2:11pm
i found bleach's first option, but i went up to nissan and they had a replacement relay for it that was a square four prong that was similar in appearance to a newer flasher motor.  the second option isn't there, under the sheetmetal cover is some sort of transmission sensor. i guess i'll have to mess with the ten prong one again and see if it gets me anywhere.  i needed to find the old one to test it first, and i'll see where this information gets me.  thanks
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icehouse
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bullet Posted: 15 November 2005 at 7:07pm
just wire in a new relay or hook the pump up to a switch it would be a anti-theft and fix the problem

check out http://forum.ratsun.net
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racingstripecat
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bullet Posted: 17 November 2005 at 4:38am
yep, icehouse got the idea.  i rigged it up to a switch.  after all, i DID have a beautiful 280ZX stolen from my driveway.  it runs and drives, spins the tires through first and second gear and i already totally embarassed some 17 year old punk in his stupid acura integra (with full dorky body kit) on I-5.  that must suck to spend all that time on your goofy spoiler to get your @ss spanked by a half green/half primer 280Z in front of your GIRLFRIEND!!  unfortunately for him, that neon-underglow kit didn't add 10 horsepower as advertised!  haha!!  what fun !!!!                      "life's a gas" -the ramones
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racingstripecat
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bullet Posted: 17 November 2005 at 4:40am
p.s that deserves a third star for sure.  this "groupie" status just ain't gonna cut it.
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icehouse
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bullet Posted: 20 November 2005 at 1:22am
i was looking for a z for a while, i test drove a 77 and did the same.spun the tire's through the first couple gear's, scared the sh*t out of my budy. they are fast not like an sr 240 hehe.

check out http://forum.ratsun.net
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