[reflection]

I have a 1997 29 Tiara open powered by 454 XL Crusaders. Cold starting is getting more difficult. Crusader recommends priming the system by putting the shifters into forward and turning the key as if you were starting the engines. This should turn the electric fuel pumps on which primes the system. My problem is the pump doesn't turn on, but after trying to prime the system and for no reason they just start working. After the engines have started and they are warmed up I have no problem restarting them. I have replaced the fuel pump relays, oil pressure pump switches and now I'm looking at replacing the electric fuel pumps (@ $350/pump). I have also checked out all grounds and found nothing. Has anyone had this problem and if so how/ what did they do to correct it? Could this be fuel pumps?

John Polandick

[ReelNauti]

Typically electric fuel pumps are wired through an oil pressure switch as a safety. If you lost oil pressure the fuel is cut off to hopefully prevent or minimize damage.

Thats why the pumps won't run simply by turing hte key on. The solution is to add a manual prime button to the system that allows you to bypass the pressure switch. Turn the key on and press the button to prime the system. This is typically a seperate switch from the one located by the sender.

You could test this by locating the switch and putting a jumper in the wire. The pump should run when your turn the key on. This would ONLY be a test and not a permenent fix.

[Uhehner]

Look in your Owners Operation and Maintenance Manual or Google it. On the electrical schematic you will see the 12 volt fuel pump power starts at the starter and goes through a 5 amp fuse to the pump. Once the engine starts and you release the key the starter power drops out and an oil pressure fuel pump interlock switch picks up and continues to supply fuel pump voltage. You could try jumpering 12 volts directly to the pump at the fuse and see if the pump starts. And then there is the old tap on the pump with a hammer test, maybe its just stuck from sitting.
My next guess is you have a starter problem. You may never be getting the initial voltage from the starter to the pump. By cranking the engine the oil pressure builds up and the interlock switch closes and then the fuel pump comes on and the engine starts.
Capt.. George