Will Your Car Stall? The Fuel Pump's Role

If the fuel pump is bad, the car will not run and will not start. The fuel pump cannot transfer gas to the engine and the engine will be starved of gasoline. If the fuel pump causes the engine to overheat, the entire engine can overheat.

Engine overheating

If your car's fuel pump is bad, it will not run. If the fuel pump is sending too much fuel to the engine, or if the relief valve doesn’t close to stop the fuel flow, you'll notice your vehicle isn’t getting the gas mileage it normally gets.

If the fuel pump is overheating, it can cause the entire engine to overheat. If you notice your vehicle loses power when you drive up steep inclines or load it up with cargo, your fuel pump could be the culprit.

If the fuel pump cannot get gas from the tank to the engine, you will have trouble starting your car. The car will struggle to start and run because the pump cannot push enough gas through. A worn pump loses its pressure and the engine is being starved of gasoline.

If the fuel pump cannot produce a constant stream of gas at higher speeds, your vehicle’s engine will sputter and threaten to stall. If your engine is getting gas from the pump, even a lesser amount than needed, it won’t likely stall.

If the fuel pump gets clogged or dies, it cannot transfer gas to the engine. When this happens, you won’t be able to start your car, truck, or SUV at all.

Power loss on inclines

If your vehicle’s fuel pump cannot get gas from the tank to the engine, you will have trouble starting your car. The car will struggle to start and run because the pump cannot push enough gas through. A worn pump loses its pressure and the engine is being starved of gasoline. Your fuel pump doesn’t stop pushing gas through to the engine once you’ve started your vehicle; it also pumps gas to meet your vehicle’s speed. If the pump cannot produce a constant stream of gas at higher speeds, your vehicle’s engine will sputter and threaten to stall. If your engine is getting gas from the pump, even a lesser amount than needed, it won’t likely stall.

If the fuel pump was bad, the car would not run. A “running lean” code indicated the engine is getting too much air (vacuum leak) or not enough fuel. But more than likely vacuum leak as lost modern cars have a fuel pressure sensor that will tell you whether or not fuel pressure (if your fuel pump is working) is correct. If the car has over 50k miles, just replace the O2 sensor. Just remember there are at least two sensors on modern cars.

If you notice your vehicle loses power when you drive up steep inclines or load it up with cargo, your fuel pump could be the culprit. If the fuel pump is sending too much fuel to the engine, or if the relief valve doesn’t close to stopping fuel flow, you’ll notice your vehicle isn’t getting the gas mileage it normally gets. Track your mileage to stay on top of fuel efficiency. A drop in fuel efficiency could be attributed to a dying fuel pump. You might end up with a dead engine even if you don’t notice any of the signs above. If the fuel pump gets clogged or dies, it cannot transfer gas to the engine. When this happens, you won’t be able to start your car, truck, or SUV at all.

Fuel efficiency drop

If your vehicle’s fuel pump cannot get gas from the tank to the engine, you will have trouble starting your car. The car will struggle to start and run because the pump cannot push enough gas through. A worn pump loses its pressure and the engine is being starved of gasoline. Your fuel pump doesn’t stop pushing gas through to the engine once you’ve started your vehicle; it also pumps gas to meet your vehicle’s speed. If the pump cannot produce a constant stream of gas at higher speeds, your vehicle’s engine will sputter and threaten to stall. If your engine is getting gas from the pump, even a lesser amount than needed, it won’t likely stall.

If the fuel pump was bad, the car would not run. If the fuel pump gets clogged or dies, it cannot transfer gas to the engine. When this happens, you won’t be able to start your car, truck, or SUV at all.

If the fuel pump is sending too much fuel to the engine, or if the relief valve doesn’t close to stopping fuel flow, you’ll notice your vehicle isn’t getting the gas mileage it normally gets. Track your mileage to stay on top of fuel efficiency. A drop in fuel efficiency could be attributed to a dying fuel pump. You might end up with a dead engine even if you don’t notice any of the signs above.

If you notice your vehicle loses power when you drive up steep inclines or load it up with cargo, your fuel pump could be the culprit. If the fuel pump is causing your engine to overheat, an old and worn pump motor may get too hot and this can overheat your entire engine.

Car won't start

If your vehicle’s fuel pump cannot get gas from the tank to the engine, you will have difficulty starting your car. The car will struggle to start and run because the pump cannot push enough gas through. A worn pump loses its pressure and the engine is being starved of gasoline. Your fuel pump does not stop pushing gas through to the engine once you’ve started your vehicle; it also pumps gas to meet your vehicle’s speed. If the pump cannot produce a constant stream of gas at higher speeds, your vehicle’s engine will sputter and threaten to stall. If your engine is getting gas from the pump, even a lesser amount than needed, it won’t likely stall.

If the fuel pump was bad, the car would not run. If the fuel pump gets clogged or dies, it cannot transfer gas to the engine. When this happens, you won’t be able to start your car, truck, or SUV at all.

If you notice your vehicle loses power when you drive up steep inclines or load it up with cargo, your fuel pump could be the culprit.

If the fuel pump is sending too much fuel to the engine, or if the relief valve doesn’t close to stopping fuel flow, you’ll notice your vehicle isn’t getting the gas mileage it normally gets. Track your mileage to stay on top of fuel efficiency. A drop in fuel efficiency could be attributed to a dying fuel pump. You might end up with a dead engine even if you don’t notice any of the signs above.

Engine sputtering

If your vehicle’s fuel pump cannot get gas from the tank to the engine, you will have trouble starting your car. The car will struggle to start and run because the pump cannot push enough gas through. A worn pump loses its pressure and the engine is being starved of gasoline. Your fuel pump doesn’t stop pushing gas through to the engine once you’ve started your vehicle; it also pumps gas to meet your vehicle’s speed. If the pump cannot produce a constant stream of gas at higher speeds, your vehicle’s engine will sputter and threaten to stall. If your engine is getting gas from the pump, even a lesser amount than needed, it won’t likely stall.

If the fuel pump was bad, the car would not run. A “running lean” code indicated the engine is getting too much air (vacuum leak) or not enough fuel. But more than likely, it is a vacuum leak as lost modern cars have a fuel pressure sensor that will tell you whether or not fuel pressure (if your fuel pump is working) is correct. Aww cmon, Lou. We really like this place. ... If the car has +50k miles just replace the O2 sensor. Just remember there are at least two sensors on modern cars.

If the fuel pump is sending too much fuel to the engine, or if the relief valve doesn’t close to stopping fuel flow, you’ll notice your vehicle isn’t getting the gas mileage it normally gets. Track your mileage to stay on top of fuel efficiency. A drop in fuel efficiency could be attributed to a dying fuel pump. You might end up with a dead engine even if you don’t notice any of the signs above. If the fuel pump gets clogged or dies, it cannot transfer gas to the engine. When this happens, you won’t be able to start your car, truck, or SUV at all.

If you notice your vehicle loses power when you drive up steep inclines or load it up with cargo, your fuel pump could be the culprit. An old and worn pump motor may get too hot and this can overheat your entire engine. If you have the time/money to get it checked out. Do so. Just don't put it off.

Frequently asked questions