Replacing The Fuel Pump Relay In Your 2001 Acura Cl

The fuel pump electrical relay in the Acura CL sometimes stops working. This issue has been reported by several Acura CL owners, with symptoms including the car not starting, stalling while driving, and cranking problems. To replace the fuel pump relay, you will need to locate it first. In some Acura CL models, the relay is located under the driver's side of the steering column, behind the fuse panel and wire harness. Once located, you can remove the old relay and install a new one, ensuring that it is securely mounted and connected.

Fuel pump relay location

The fuel pump relay in a 2001 Acura CL is located under the driver's side of the steering column. To access it, you will need to remove the knee panel underneath the steering column to get better access to the mounting plate that the relay is attached to.

From there, you will be able to see the relay, which has a reddish-coloured plug going into the back of it and sits by itself. It is mounted with a bracket that requires a 10mm socket to remove. To get access to the 10mm nut, you will need to unplug a cylindrical connector that is below the relay.

Once the relay is removed, you can open it up and resolder the two contacts that typically go bad. After putting the resoldered relay back in, your car should start up perfectly.

Symptoms of a bad relay

The fuel pump relay is an electromagnetic switch that uses low current to control a higher current circuit. When the relay goes bad, the fuel pump won't work properly, and your car will begin to exhibit some noticeable symptoms. Here are some common symptoms of a bad fuel pump relay in a 2001 Acura CL or any other vehicle:

• Engine Cranks But Doesn't Start: The engine will crank, but it won't start due to a lack of fuel. This is the most common sign of a bad fuel pump relay.
• Fuel Pump Runs Continuously: In rare cases, the fuel pump relay can get stuck in the closed position, causing the fuel pump to run continuously, even when the key is out of the ignition.
• Illuminated Check Engine Light: In some vehicles, the powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the fuel pump relay and its circuit. If the PCM detects an issue, it turns on the check engine light and stores a diagnostic trouble code (DTC).
• Multiple Attempts to Start: You may need to try multiple times to start the vehicle, especially in the morning when the engine is cold. Over time, this problem worsens, and the vehicle may not start at all.
• Unexplained Battery Drainage: A fuel pump relay stuck in the closed/on position can cause the fuel pump to run continuously, draining the battery. This can happen even after installing a new battery or fuel pump.
• Vehicle Won't Start, Appearing to be Out of Gas: The starter may crank for more than 10 seconds, even when you try to turn it off, but the vehicle won't start.
• Jump Starting or Remote Start Resolves Starting Issue: Jump-starting or using remote start can temporarily fix the starting issue as fuel pump relays perform better at higher voltages.
• Seasonal Starting Issues: The vehicle may start fine during warm months but refuse to start during colder months.
• Stalling While Driving: The vehicle may stall while driving, and you'll need to coast to a stop. This issue could be related to the fuel pump relay or a thermal expansion problem inside the TIPM or other electrical components.

It's important to note that other issues can cause similar symptoms, so it's recommended to perform a thorough diagnosis of your vehicle before replacing any parts.

Removing the knee panel

To remove the knee panel of your 2001 Acura CL, start by locating the knee panel underneath the steering column. Once you have found it, remove the panel to get better access to the mounting plate that the relay is attached to.

From underneath, you will only be able to barely see the mounting plate due to the massive wiring harnesses blocking the view. To get a better view, you can try to unplug a cylindrical connector that is located below the relay. The relay has a reddish-coloured plug going into the back of it and sits by itself.

Now, to remove the relay from the mounting plate, you need to remove the bracket that is holding it in place. For this, you will need a 10mm socket. Once you have removed the bracket, you can take out the relay.

If you are experiencing issues with your fuel pump relay, you may need to open it up and resolder the two contacts that typically go bad. Alternatively, you can choose to replace the relay entirely.

Accessing the mounting plate

To access the mounting plate, you will need to first remove the knee panel underneath the steering column. This will give you better access to the mounting plate that the relay is attached to. It sits by itself and is not attached to a board. The relay is mounted with a bracket that requires a 10mm socket to remove.

From underneath, you will have a better view of the mounting plate, but it may still be hard to see due to the massive wiring harnesses that block it. You will also notice a reddish-coloured plug going into the back of the relay. To get access to the 10mm nut holding the bracket in place, you will need to unplug a cylindrical connector that is located below the relay.

Once you have removed the bracket, you can then take out the relay. It is located under the driver's side of the steering column.

Replacing the relay

To replace the fuel pump relay on a 2001 Acura CL, follow these steps:

Firstly, locate the fuel pump relay. It is situated under the driver's side of the steering column, behind the mounting plate, and can be accessed by removing the knee panel underneath the steering column. You will find it has a reddish-coloured plug going into the back of it and it sits alone, not attached to a board.

Once located, you will need to remove the bracket that is mounting the relay with a 10mm socket. Before you can remove the bracket, you will need to unplug a cylindrical connector that is below the relay to access the 10mm nut.

Now you can take out the old relay and replace it with a new one. Ensure the new relay is securely attached to the mounting bracket and that all plugs and connectors are correctly plugged in.

Finally, test your new relay by turning the key to the "on" position and listening for the fuel pump to buzz as it should.

This process should help get your 2001 Acura CL starting up perfectly again!

Frequently asked questions