Replacing your fuel pump has to be one of the worst repairs that everyone tries to evade. But how do we know not is not working and How do I replace the fuel pump in my 2003 Ford Taurus? Here is what I found in my research and also some hands-on practice I did with my 2003 Ford Taurus.
First, you need to disconnect your battery since we will be under the vehicle; we do not want anyone accidentally starting the car. Then you want to put the rear of the car on jack stands so you can fit underneath the vehicle with plenty of room to move and get the fuel tank out. Next, I used a floor jack with a wide platform and a piece of wood, so we did not have metal on metal contact. Then you want to disconnect the line leading to your fuel filter from the fuel pump itself. Also if you have hose clamp pliers,
this would be the time to use them, so no fuel spills out of the line. Then disconnect the lines on the rear of the fuel tank and disconnect the wire harness in the same spot as well. Then you want to put your floor jack up to the fuel tank so it can relieve some of the weight that is on the fuel tank straps. Put some PB Blaster on the fuel tank strap bolts so they can come out easier. Once the straps are taken off, you can slowly lower the fuel tank out of its position. Do this slowly just in case any wires or hoses are caught on something. Having help from another person would be preferred at this moment. Once you have the tank lowered and moved out from under the vehicle blow off the top of the container with a blowgun or you can sweep it off as well with a broom, we want to get rid of any debris that can fall into your fuel tank after you remove the fuel pump. Get a chisel or a punch with a hammer and hit the fuel pump collar counterclockwise to unlock it. Once you have it opened, you can remove your fuel pump and replace it with the new fuel pump.
I used a fuel pump that was identical to the stock original fuel pump, and I got it at a fraction of the price on Amazon so here is a link to that. Seeing everything that is needed in steps and tools for this repair I now understand why people try to leave it as a last resort to replace, but I want to know more of why do we have to replace it at all, so let’s look into that further.
*Are you doing this repair because your fuel pump isn’t working? Have you checked your fuel pump relay and inertia switch yet? What about your fuel pump fuse? Did you check your fuel pressure at the strayer valve?
Inertia switch can be found under the carpet on the right rear of the vehicle
in the trunk. This switch can be triggered by getting in a fender bender. The fuel pump fuse is in spot #10 under the hood in the power distribution box.
With your Ford Taurus, you should be reading 39 to 65 psi for fuel pressure with key on, but the engine is not running for the OHV model. For the flex-fuel model, you would be 30-65 psi.
Make sure you cover all your bases before going to the option of lowering your fuel tank. Thankfully when I dropped mine, I soaked the bolts with PB Blaster due to the amount of corrosion that was on them due to the winter roads.
You will be surprised by this one here’s my article on 12 Crucial Maintenance Things to Check on your Vehicle.
Why would I need to replace the fuel pump in my 2003 Ford Taurus?
Just like any part, the fuel pump is no different, they break, and we replace them. In the case that you test your fuel pressure and it is either lower than the required specifications. If the fuel pressure is higher than the required specifications, then you will need to replace the fuel pump. By doing this test, you will know right off that your fuel pump is the culprit for your no-start situation or if it something else.
A great indication that something is wrong with your fuel pump is when you turn the key to accessory, and you do not hear a click then the buzz of the fuel pump turns on to prime the system.
Start with the small and simple solutions like a fuse and relay then move to the fuel pressure reading from there. We always need to start with the basics and then move up from there, not the opposite.
I am only saying this because I have seen backward mechanics and all they do is cost a lot of money due to their troubleshooting skills being……..lacking. Here is the step by step manual I used, and it made it so much easier.
Winter is coming, and we need to be ready for it, make sure your vehicle is prepared by checking out my article 6 Simple Ways to Stay Safe on Snow Covered Roads. You will be glad you did!
Where would I take my 2003 Ford Taurus if I need the fuel pump replaced?
You can take your car to any automotive repair shop, or you can do the repair yourself. This repair is rated at a moderate level but can get very stubborn and trying real quick if you do not have anyone helping you. This repair runs in between $680 and $1,043. This is why you need to double-check your readings on the voltage and ohm tests.
Have you ever looked into the advantages of spending more on your brake pads? Don’t worry, I have and what I found is here in my article.
Is there a way I can check my fuel pump in my 2003 Ford Taurus to see if it is bad?
Yes, there are a few tests you can do to diagnose if our problem is the fuel pump or is it somewhere else. You can check for pressure, resistance test,
and check-in for the fuel pump to engage on with the key turn but do no start. Lastly, we can check with a stethoscope or flat head screwdriver to see if we hear steady clicking at each injector, the clicking speeds up and slows down with the vehicle RPMs.
What can I do in the future to prevent my fuel pump from breaking in my 2003 Ford Taurus?
There are a couple of easy ways to lengthen your fuel pumps life. The first one is pretty easy for you to do, and that is, do not let your fuel tank go below ¼ tank of fuel at any time. This is because at the bottom of your fuel tank is debris, not from the fuel but from the fuel tank itself.
The older a vehicle gets, the more the fuel tank increases in the amount of debris it has. Do not worry, though; it is not just your vehicle. All vehicles do this because of the fuel it eats up the metal tank the older the car gets. The other thing you can do is not to let your fuel sit in the tank too long.
By sitting too long gasoline will turn into paint thinner and will eat your seals up on your fuel pump and the rest of your fuel system if you do not empty the old fuel before starting the car. Some people even fill their fuel tank before they put their vehicles in storage to decrease the room that the fuel can evaporate.
I hope you enjoyed the article and it helped you with your problem at hand. Check out my YouTube channel as well for video walkthrough guides. Thank you again, and I hope you check out my next article!
