How To Test The Fuel Pump (1992-1993 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth Mini-Van)

By: Abraham Torres-Arredondo
Created: 03 January 2020
Updated: 19 February 2024
Articl Id: 916

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TEST 2: Using Starting Fluid To Confirm Lack Of Fuel

How To Test The Fuel Pump (1992, 1993 3.3L V6 Town & Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, And Grand Voyager)

A very common test, to see if the engine is not starting due to a lack of fuel, is the starting fluid test.

I've used this test many times and I can tell you that it's effective (although not the most accurate way to test the fuel pump).

NOTE: To get an accurate test result from the starting fluid test, it's important that you make sure that all six spark plug wires are sparking.

IMPORTANT: This is a very fast and easy test but you do have to take one very important safety precaution and this is to reconnect the air intake duct back to the throttle body after spraying starting fluid down the throttle bore (although you don't have to fasten it). This will prevent any backfire, that might occur, from scaring the heck out of you when cranking the engine.

These are the test steps:

1
Remove the intake air duct from the throttle body. You don't have to completely remove it, since you'll have to reconnect it in one of the next steps.
2
Open the throttle plate and spray starting fluid down the bore.

As a safety precaution reconnect the air duct after you have sprayed a good squirt of starting fluid (but you don't have to tighten the air duct).
3
Crank the engine once the air duct is back on and you're clear of the engine compartment.
4
You'll get one of two results with this test:

1.) The engine will start momentarily and after a few seconds will die or.

2.) The engine will only crank but not start at all.

OK, let's analyze your test result:

CASE 1: The engine started and ran for a few seconds. This test result confirms that a lack of fuel is keeping your min-van's 3.3L V6 engine from starting.

Your next step is to check to see what the fuel pressure is with a fuel pressure test gauge. Go to: TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge.

CASE 2: The engine did not start, not even momentarily. This usually means that a lack of fuel IS NOT the reason your car is not starting.

Now, remember what I said about this test not being very accurate? Well, I suggest you do one more test and this is to check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure test gauge. Go to: TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge.

Making Sure The Fuel Pump Is Getting 12 Volts

If you found that the fuel pump is not producing any pressure, then it's important that you make sure that it's getting power.

Specifically, you should:

Make sure the fuel pump fuse is not blown.
Make sure that the fuel pump relay is functioning correctly.
Make sure that 12 Volts are reaching the fuel pump connector.

Why check all of these things? Because in some cases the fuel pump does not function because it's not receiving 12 Volts.

You can check the fuel pump fuse just by removing it and making sure that it's not blown.

The fuel pump relay can be bench-tested or you can swap it out with a similar one.

To check that 12 Volts are present at the fuel pump connector is a bit more complicated. Personally, I've done this as I'm removing the gask tank and the connector is accessible.

Once I've unplugged the fuel pump connector, I then connect my multimeter (set to Volts DC) and probe the terminal that delivers 12 Volts to the fuel pump as a helper cranks the engine.

If 12 Volts are present, then I know that replacing the fuel pump will solve the no-start due to a lack of fuel problem.

If 12 Volts are not present, then I know that replacing the fuel pump won't do any good since without power, the new one won't work either.

Identifying The Fuel Pump Relay

The fuel pump relay is located on the left-side inner fender (in the engine compartment). To be more specific, it's located above the fuel injection computer and next to the battery.

You can identify the fuel pump relay by the colors of the wires coming out of its socket. To do this, disconnect the fuel pump relay from its electrical socket. Turn the socket over and check the color of the wires.

The color of the wires of the fuel pump relay socket are:

Pin	Wire Color	Description
1	DK GRN/BLK (dark green with black stripe)	12 Volts output (to fuel pump)
2	RED/WHT (red with white stripe)	12 Volts input (from fusible link)
3	DK BLU (dark blue)	12 Volts input (from ignition switch)
4	DK BLU/YEL (dark blue with yellow stripe)	Relay control