Gas Tank Sending Unit
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek Ohio
Gas Tank Sending Unit
I would like to find out if anyone else has heard of or have seen this issue. In september i replaced the orginal fuel pump in my 87 vette,and that one failed after 3 miles. I took the pump and sending out again thinking it was the pump again. After carefull inspection I foung the hot wire and the ground were melted together and the plug was melted somewhat on the sending unit inside the tank. 
I have ordered a sending unit from Ecklers. I can reuse the pump. My question could this have been a real issue if it did arch between the 2 wires. How safe is this set up. and why do you think it was drawing heavy amps to melt the wire and will it happen again??????
I have ordered a sending unit from Ecklers. I can reuse the pump. My question could this have been a real issue if it did arch between the 2 wires. How safe is this set up. and why do you think it was drawing heavy amps to melt the wire and will it happen again??????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Reuse the pump 
or exchange it where you bought it.
Most new fuel pumps come with a new harness included reason being the the old push on connectors can be coated in "crap" and not make soild connections with the new pump's contacts points once installed. My guess is you have/had a very poor connection between the pump's electrical connector and this created a high current situation that heated up the conductors and melted them together.
or exchange it where you bought it.Most new fuel pumps come with a new harness included reason being the the old push on connectors can be coated in "crap" and not make soild connections with the new pump's contacts points once installed. My guess is you have/had a very poor connection between the pump's electrical connector and this created a high current situation that heated up the conductors and melted them together.
Last edited by engle1147; Mar 13, 2010 at 02:34 PM.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
When I changed out my original fuel pump a couple of years back I cut off the old electrical connectors and soldered on new high quality connectors. I took my time and did this work on the work bench will good lighting and the proper tools. All worked out fine and I have not had any problems with the new unit or the wiring (knock on wood).
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek Ohio
The thing that worries me is the fact that there could have been an arch situation and with that a huge explosion. Is this not true or am I worrying to much about small things!!! I am sure GM has known of this issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
electric fuel pumps have been around for many moons.Not saying messing with a gas tank should be taken lightly though.
But:
Gas is a pretty poor conductor of electricity.
Drop a lit match into a bucket of gas......it will go out pretty much 9 of 10 times....watch out for that other 10% though
The idea is that the fumes mixed with o2 are what is extremly dangerous. For a conductor to get hot enough to ignite fuel it would need to be close to heat of a lightbulb filiment.
If the conductors are good CF member pmihaltian 's solution of replacing the connectors & soldering them in place is more than an acceptable solution.
If you don't feel comfortable with working on this yourself sub/hire out the work.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
i pulled mine out the other day. its a 96. i had a bad level signal- over 200 ohms. anyways, i cleaned up the potentiometer with some fine 1500 sandpaper and that fixed it. but that's besides the point. I was surprised to see how open it was, gas could be all over the electrical connections, especially the pot and wiper. oh well it's engineered, and it works, and it's reliable, and it doesn't blow up, so I'd say your safe. just make sure you repair/replace any wire or connections if they don't look perfect.
edit:
and I would say (as an electrician) that it probably isn't the pump that cause your wires to melt, because if so, the fuse would have likely burnt first. more than likely there was a short that was touching periodically, or something rubbed through the insulation. a flakey connection can also do it. a connection that is making and breaking over and over will get hot, spark, and often NOT blow a fuse.
edit:
and I would say (as an electrician) that it probably isn't the pump that cause your wires to melt, because if so, the fuse would have likely burnt first. more than likely there was a short that was touching periodically, or something rubbed through the insulation. a flakey connection can also do it. a connection that is making and breaking over and over will get hot, spark, and often NOT blow a fuse.
Last edited by Bloodvette; Mar 15, 2010 at 12:58 AM.
