I was happily on my way to B&Q after work yesterday evening, when I noticed that my WRX was feeling a little hesitant on pulling away from a couple of roundabouts. I parked up, and after buying some DIY bits came to start the engine. The engine was turning over fine, but only appeared to fire once, before dying. It did this a number of times, but eventually it just turned over, with no hint of starting.
I checked for leaks, CEL, pulled off the MAF and lambda plugs, but nothing made any difference. The AA man had trouble making head-or-tail of the engine, but we eventually came to the conclusion that it appeared to be a problem with the fuel pump.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t 100% sure where to measure the current for the fuel pump (crap AA database instructions), but when he tried measuring where the no2 fuse was (under the bonnet), only got 1.2A – he was expecting around 4 or 5A, and the fuse is rated 30A.

My car ended up going home on the back of a truck!

Has anyone had a similar experience / able to offer any advise?
Are fuel pumps of this age prone to dying, or is it more likely to be a wiring fault?
Anyone know exactly what current the pump should be pulling and where to measure it?

Any help greatly received – my car ain’t going nowhere in the mean time!

 

If you turn the ignition on can you hear the fuel pump run for 10seconds or so..

Have you tried it today now it is cold?

Might be crank sensor..

 

Si,

the relay clicks, but can't hear any hint of a whine, or the usual gurgle when the fuel system is primed. Tired agaiin this morning - still no joy.

Thought of crank sensor, but no CEL?

 

You would still get the pump priming sound if it was crank sensor, so that can be ruled out pretty much.

So either fuel pump or wiring to it.. worth removing the panel above the fuel tank and checking the voltages at the fuel pump connector and / or putting a new supply to it temporarily to see if it runs.

Simon

 

Will have a look at the pump end tonight.
Am I right in assuming this is under the rear seats of my 4-door saloon?

Assuming we were checking at the correct fuse point, the pump appeared to be pulling 1.2A, so power must be going somewhere!!

 

just behind the seats you need to remove / fold down the rear seat back.. it is easy on my 5door but think you might need to unbolt them in the 4door.

There is then a cover held in on the drivers side with four screws under the carpet(there is one passenger side to but pump is under drivers side). you take the cover off and then you can see the top of the fuel tank.. you will then see the fuel hose connections and the wiring plug for the fuel pump.

 

seen this problem quite a few times, the fuel pump just packs in.

if you need a spare i have standard one you could try, best off putting in a walbro one in though.

 

Hi

My fuel pump packed up just two weeks ago same symptoms as yours.
Mine was a uk my95.
Just a thought a guy was selling the walboro uprated pumps recently £75 pounds buy it now. Do a search you maybe lucky.
Good news just did a search and they still got them advertised £79.99.Search for "Subaru Fuel Pump"
Pete

 

Thanks for all your help guys.

It was indeed the fuel pump that had died.

On checking the resistance, it had gone completely open circuit. I followed the instructions I found in this thread and swapped with a std fuel pump acquired from Grade A Subaru.

Only took about an hour to change, and car is again running sweet!