How To Test The Fuel Pump (1995-2000 2.0L Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze)

Sooner or later the fuel pump is gonna fail in your 2.0L Dodge Stratus (Plymouth Breeze) and let me tell you from first hand experience, testing it is not difficult at all!

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to test it, tell you what the fuel pressure specification is, and help you determine if it's good or bad.

I'm also explaining how to use starting fluid to diagnose an engine no-start problem caused by a lack of fuel.

You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar La Bomba De Combustible (1995-2000 2.0L Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 2.0L Dodge Stratus: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• 2.0L Plymouth Breeze: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.

IMPORTANT: Gasoline and starting fluid are extremely flammable. Take appropriate safety precautions. Before beginning the fuel pump pressure test or the starting fluid test, make sure the engine is cold, work in a well-ventilated space, and avoid open flames or sparks.

Symptoms Of A Bad Fuel Pump

The fuel pump in your 2.0L Dodge Stratus (Plymouth Breeze) usually fails in one of two ways:

• Complete failure: In this type of failure, the fuel pump doesn't send any fuel to the injectors. The end result of this is an engine that cranks but doesn't start.
• Slow failure: The engine cranks and starts but doesn't run right, especially under load. This is due to the fact that the fuel pump works, but only supplies enough fuel to start the engine. Once the engine is under load, this amount of fuel isn't sufficient to keep it running.

To go into more detail, these are some of the symptoms you'll see from a complete failure of the fuel pump:

• The engine cranks but does not start.
• No fuel pressure is detected.
• No noise from the fuel pump.

These are some of the symptoms of a slow failure of the fuel pump:

• Lack of power when accelerating the engine under load.
• Unexplained loss of power.
• Excessive fuel consumption.
• The engine suddenly shuts off.

Whether the fuel pump is just now starting to fail or has stopped working, you'll be able to find out with a pressure gauge. This tool will make diagnosing the fuel pump issue faster and easier, and the most important part: you won't spend time and money on parts that won't solve the problem.

Where To Buy A Fuel Pressure Test Gauge

A fuel pressure gauge is a must-have tool in your tool box to diagnose any fuel-injected vehicle. Cool thing is that you can buy one at almost any auto parts store or on online shopping platforms.

The following fuel pressure gauge kits are great deals and will connect to the vehicles covered in this tutorial:

For vehicles with a Schrader valve on the injector rail:

For vehicles without a Schrader valve on the injector rail:

NOTE: Before you buy any of the above fuel pressure test gauge kits for your Dodge Stratus (Plymouth Breeze), just make sure to check if the fuel injector rail has a Schrader valve or not.

Fuel Pressure Specifications

• KOEO = Key On Engine Off.
• KOER = Key On Engine Running.

Fuel Pressure Test With A Gauge (With Schrader Valve)

NOTE: If the engine of your Dodge Stratus (Plymouth Breeze) comes equipped with a Schrader valve, you're in the right section. If it doesn't, go to this section: Fuel Pressure Test With Gauge (Without Schrader Valve).

The fuel pressure test on your 2.0L Dodge Stratus (Plymouth Breeze) is done with the key ON and engine OFF (KOEO).

In a professional auto repair shop, the techs accomplish this with a professional level scan tool. The scan tool is used to activate the fuel pump and check its pressure output with the key on and the engine off. If you have such a scan tool, awesome!

If you don't have a scan tool with that functionality, don't worry. There's another way: If the engine starts, simply disconnect all four fuel injectors and crank the engine. This way, the fuel pump gets activated and you're able to check the fuel pump's pressure. Easy-peasy, right?

The following steps assume that you're not using a scan tool to activate the fuel pump and check the pressure.

OK, let's get started:

1. 1

   Disconnect the four fuel injectors from their electrical connectors.
   
   NOTE: This step only applies if the engine cranks and starts.

2. 2

   Remove the dust cap from the Schrader valve on the fuel injector rail.

3. 3

   Place a towel under the area of the Schrader valve.

4. 4

   Connect the fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve.
   
   With the towel, wipe off any fuel that may have been released during the gauge connection process.

5. 5

   When you're ready, ask your assistant to crank the engine while you observe the gauge.

6. 6

   The gauge should report the specified fuel pressure.

Let's take a look at what your results mean:

CASE 1: The fuel pump pressure is within specification. This tells you that the fuel pump is in good working condition and is supplying fuel to the injectors.

If your Stratus or Breeze's engine does not start, you can now eliminate the fuel pump as the cause of the 'cranks but does not start' problem.

CASE 2: The fuel pump pressure is NOT within specification. This result tells you that the fuel pump is not working. Since the fuel pump isn't working, you can now conclude that it's behind the 'cranks but does not start' issue with your Stratus (Breeze).

Fuel Pressure Test With A Gauge (Without Schrader Valve)

Some Dodge Stratus (Plymouth Breeze) fuel injector rails don't have a Schrader valve on them. The cool thing is that you can still check the fuel pump pressure. You just need a specialized adapter for the fuel pressure gauge (see photo 2 of 2 in the image viewer above).

What you'll need to do is connect the specialized adapter between the fuel supply line and the fuel injector rail. In the photo above, the orange arrow points to this location.

One more thing. The fuel pressure needs to be checked with the key ON and engine OFF (KOEO). In the shop, the technician checks the fuel pressure with a professional grade diagnostic scanner. This scan tool is used to activate fuel pump without having to crank or start the engine. If you've got one, fantastic!

If you don't have such a scan tool, no worries. You have another option: If the engine starts/runs, just unplug all four fuel injectors and then crank the engine. This will activate the fuel pump and allow you to check its pressure output. Pretty easy, isn't it?

OK, here are the steps for the test:

1. 1

   Disconnect the four fuel injectors from their electrical connectors.
   
   NOTE: This step only applies if the engine cranks and starts.

2. 2

   Disconnect the fuel inlet line from the injector rail.
   
   NOTE: As a safety measure, place a towel in the area under the fuel line to catch/absorb any spilled fuel.

3. 3

   Connect the gauge adapter to the injector rail.

4. 4

   Connect the fuel supply line you just disconnected to the adapter.

5. 5

   Connect the gauge to the adapter.

6. 6

   When you're ready, ask your assistant to crank the engine while you observe the gauge.

7. 7

   The gauge should report the specified fuel pressure.

Let's take a look at what your results mean:

CASE 1: The fuel pump pressure is within specification. This tells you that the fuel pump is in good working condition and is supplying fuel to the injectors.

If your Stratus or Breeze's engine does not start, then the result of this test now rules out the fuel pump as the source of the 'cranks but does not start' issue with the engine.

CASE 2: The fuel pump pressure is NOT within specification. This result tells you that the fuel pump is not working. Since the fuel pump isn't working, you can now conclude that it's behind the 'cranks but does not start' issue with your Stratus (Breeze).

Using Starting Fluid To Test For A Lack Of Fuel

Performing a starting fluid test is a simple and quick process that'll help you determine if the engine won't start due to a lack of fuel. However, it's important to note that this test is not as accurate as actually measuring the fuel pump's pressure output with a gauge.

Another crucial point you should consider is that, before starting and in order to get an accurate result from this test, you need to make sure all four cylinders are receiving spark.

You can easily find this out by using a spark tester and testing the spark on each spark plug wire. Once you've verified that all cylinders have spark, you'll be ready for the starting fluid test.

OK, here are the steps for the test:

1. 1

   Remove the air intake duct from the throttle body.
   
   You don't have to remove it completely, as you'll need to reconnect it in one of the following steps.

2. 2

   Manually open the throttle plate and spray starting fluid into the throttle body bore.

3. 3

   Quickly reconnect the air intake duct to the throttle body (you don't need to tighten the hose clamp).
   
   NOTE: Reconnecting the air intake duct is a very important safety precaution in case of a backfire through the intake manifold.

4. 4

   Crank the engine once the air intake duct is back on the throttle body.

5. 5

   You'll get one of two results:
   
   1.) The engine will momentarily start, run, and then shut off after a few seconds.
   
   2.) The engine will only crank but won't start at all.

Alright, let's find out what your test results mean:

CASE 1: The engine started and ran for a few seconds. This confirms that your vehicle's 'cranks but does not start' problem is due to a lack of fuel.

I suggest that your next step should be to test the fuel pump's pressure with a gauge. For this test, go to:

• Fuel Pressure Test With A Gauge (With Schrader Valve).
• Fuel Pressure Test With A Gauge (Without Schrader Valve).

CASE 2: The engine DID NOT start, not even momentarily. This tells you that a lack of fuel is not behind the engine not starting.