M43 Fuel pump / relay woes

Tom_B

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2025
Points
13
Hi All,

This might be a familiar story, but here goes:

After a couple of years in storage our 1.9 now won't start:- it cranks and has spark (runs on easystart) but has no pressure at the fuel rail. Prior to be dry stored it ran and drove fine.
This isn't too much of a surprise as the fuel pump evidently isn't running, and so far I've found the following:

- The 5 fuses in the ECU box all get 12v with ign on (I think this meant the DME powers up ok)
- Fuse 18 in main underbonnet box has permanent 12v
- Fuse 13 gets 12v with ign on ( I think/guess/hope this means that the EWS is seeing the key and the DME is happy?)

The fuel pump relay does not click when ignition is switched on, but pin 30 has 12v and pin 86 has 12v with ign on. However, pin 85 (I think should be a DME switched earth) has 0v with ign off, but goes to +4.25v once ign on. I assume this is why the relay does not attempt to energise, but I'm at a total loss to understand why this positive voltage appears

(In addition, I'm fairly sure I also have a failed fuel pump as well - if I connect a jumper between pins 30 & 87 on the relay base you can't hear the pump run and there's no pressure at the rail).

Any thoughts or tips very much appreciated!!

Tom
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Similar situation to you on a Z3M, fuses and relays checked out, ran on easystart so attention turned to the pump in the tank. Sure enough the pump had died. Car had been in store for a prolonged period. New pump fitted and that resolved the issue.
 

Tom_B

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2025
Points
13
Thank you for the reply - very encouraging!
I'll replace the fuel pump and see what happens. The part that makes me uneasy is the 4v on the relay switched earth, which I really don't understand but perhaps is something complicated to do with the way the DME controls the earthing..
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Similar situation to you on a Z3M, fuses and relays checked out, ran on easystart so attention turned to the pump in the tank. Sure enough the pump had died. Car had been in store for a prolonged period. New pump fitted and that resolved the issue.
The Zed in question was mine, Colin and me chased this for ages, my advice get the pump out and check / change it, its a simple removal just remove the drivers seat first it will save a lot of agro :thumbsup:

Edit: And drain the tank of fuel :whistle:
 

Tom_B

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2025
Points
13
Thank you guys, I'll get on with replacing the pump and try to stop over-thinking the relay coil voltage!
 

Tom_B

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2025
Points
13
That's a good question - I've not yet had the carpet up to access the top of the tank.
Fingers crossed it's got power though - I imagine replacing the pump is a lot easier than finding a break somewhere in the supply?
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
218
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Move drivers seat forward.
Behind seat you will see carpet partially cut then cut the remaing bits to make the 3/4 circle fold open behind it you will see a plate remove it pump behind it .
Stephen.
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
218
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
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Lower 2 pins are pump live and earth

Left earth
Live right

2 upper wires are level sender unit .

Stephen.
 
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