Checking fuel pump pressure to see if the fuel pump's delivering enough fuel to start the engine and keep it running isn't difficult.
In this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to use a fuel pressure test gauge to see if the pump is OK and doing its job.
Whether your vehicle doesn't start or has a performance problem you suspect is fuel-pump related, with this tutorial and your test results you'll be able to quickly pinpoint the pump as the cause —or rule it out altogether.
NOTE: The 2001 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable do not use a Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM). The 2002 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable do use an FPDM. The fuel pressure check in this tutorial applies to both setups.
Contents of this tutorial:
APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:
- 3.0L V6 (OHV) Ford Taurus: 2001, 2002.
- 3.0L V6 (OHV) Mercury Sable: 2001, 2002.
OTHER FUEL PRESSURE TESTS:
- How To Test The Fuel Pump (1990-1999 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
- How To Test The Fuel Pump (2000 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
- How To Test The Fuel Pump (2003 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
Symptoms Of A Bad Fuel Pump
The fuel pump will usually fail in one of two ways:
- Complete failure. The pump dies completely and no longer sends fuel to the injectors.
- Slow failure. The pump still builds some pressure, and the engine may even start, but as soon as you put the vehicle in Drive and step on the gas, there's no power at all.
Since the fuel pump is such a critical component —needed to start the engine and keep it running— when it fails it wreaks all kinds of havoc on engine performance. You'll usually see one or more of the following symptoms:
- Engine doesn't start.
- Lean air/fuel mixture trouble codes.
- Rough idle.
- Engine starts after extended cranking.
- Lack of power when accelerating the vehicle down the road.
- Back-fires thru' the intake manifold when accelerating your pickup or van down the road.
NOTE: On the 2002 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable equipped with an FPDM module, the module itself can cause all of the symptoms mentioned above. But the very first step in diagnosing the FPDM as good or bad is to check fuel pressure. And that's exactly what I'm going to show you how to do in this tutorial.
Where To Buy A Fuel Pressure Test Gauge
One of the must-have tools in your toolbox is a fuel pressure test gauge. The cool thing is, they aren't expensive. I recommend one of the following gauge kits for their reliability and price. They also include the adapter you'll need to connect to your Ford's Schrader valve:
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If my tutorials help you, using these links is an easy way to support the site at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Fuel Pressure Specifications
The fuel pressure specifications with the key on engine off (KOEO) and key on engine running (KOER) are:
| Year | KOEO | KOER |
|---|---|---|
| 1990-1993 | 35-40 PSI | 30-45 PSI |
| 1994-1995 | 40-43 PSI | 35-38 PSI |
| 1996-1998 | 35-40 PSI | 30-45 PSI |
| 1999-2000 | 37-43 PSI | 26-45 PSI |
TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge
To find out what's going on with the fuel pump on your Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable, we're going to connect a fuel pressure gauge to its fuel pressure test port (Schrader valve) on the fuel injector rail.
This is the fuel injector rail that feeds cylinders 4, 5, and 6 —the ones facing the radiator. The Schrader valve is at the end of that fuel rail, on the driver side of the engine compartment (see photo above).
By the way, the test instructions below cover whether the engine starts and runs, or whether it doesn't.
If you don't have a fuel pressure gauge, take a look at the section: Where To Buy A Fuel Pressure Test Gauge.
FUEL PUMP INERTIA SWITCH: Before you start the fuel pressure test, keep in mind that your Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable comes equipped with a fuel pump inertia switch. You'll need to check it and make sure it hasn't tripped. If it has, it'll cut power to the fuel pump and you'll see a zero PSI reading on your gauge. To learn more about the fuel pump inertia switch —and to find its location— see this article: .
OK, let's get started with this test:
- 1
Place a shop towel around the Schrader valve. The shop towel's job is to absorb any fuel that may leak when doing step 2.
To see the location of the Schrader valve, go here: Location Of The Schrader Valve. - 2
Connect the fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve on your 3.0L Ford Taurus's fuel injector rail.
- 3
When ready, ask your helper to cycle the key on and off but don't crank the engine while you check for fuel leaks at the fuel gauge connection (at the Schrader valve).
If you see fuel leaking, tighten the fuel pressure a bit more (by hand only) to eliminate them.
ENGINE DOES NOT START: Key On Engine Off (KOEO) Test:
- 4
Crank the engine as you observe the fuel pressure gauge.
- 5
Your fuel pressure gauge should register 37-43 PSI if the fuel pump is OK.
ENGINE STARTS AND RUNS: Key On Engine Running (KOER) Test:
- 4
Crank and start the engine as you observe the fuel pressure gauge.
- 5
Your fuel pressure gauge should register 26-45 PSI if the fuel pump is OK.
Let's take a look at what your results mean:
CASE 1: You got zero PSI fuel pressure. This confirms the engine isn't getting the fuel it needs to start and run.
If your vehicle doesn't come equipped with an FPDM module, you can conclude the fuel pump is toast and needs to be replaced. I'd still go one step further and make sure the fuel pump is getting power. That's a super easy check you can do at the fuel pump inertia switch connector, and this tutorial will show you how: Power To Fuel Pump Check (1991-1999 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
If your Ford Taurus does have an fuel pump driver module (FPDM), your next step is to make sure the module itself is OK. It can be tested, and this tutorial will show you how to do it step by step:
CASE 2: The fuel pressure is below specification. Any fuel pressure that isn't within the specified range is going to cause engine performance issues.
If your vehicle isn't equipped with an FPDM module, you can conclude the fuel pump is failing and needs to be replaced.
If your Taurus or Sable does have an FPDM module and there aren't any FPDM or fuel rail pressure sensor diagnostic trouble codes stored, then you can conclude the fuel pump is on its way out and needs to be replaced. But if you do have any of those codes, you'll need to diagnose them first before blaming the fuel pump.
CASE 3: Fuel pressure is within specification. Awesome. This is the correct and expected test result, and it confirms the fuel pump is doing its job.
If you're troubleshooting an engine no-start or performance issue, this tells you the fuel pump isn't the cause. You'll need to keep digging now that you've ruled it out.
If your Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable is equipped with an FPDM module, this test result also confirms the module is OK and activating the fuel pump.
TEST 2: Using Starting Fluid To Confirm Lack Of Fuel
One of the first things I do when I'm troubleshooting an engine no-start is grab my can of starting fluid and see if a fuel delivery issue is behind it.
But before I start spraying starting fluid into the intake and cranking the engine, I make sure all the spark plug wires are delivering spark to their spark plugs with a spark tester. And let me tell you, this is critical. To get an accurate result from the starting fluid test, you've got to confirm spark at all six cylinders first.
Alright, having said that, if a fuel delivery issue is causing the no-start, spraying starting fluid into the intake manifold (via the throttle body) will get the engine to fire up and run —at least until the starting fluid is burned off.
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 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.
Alright, let's get started with this test.
- 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's hose clamp). - 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 find out what your results mean:
CASE 1: The engine started and ran until the starting fluid was burned off. This confirms that a fuel delivery issue is keeping the engine from starting.
This generally means fuel pump isn't delivering fuel to the injectors. Now, this isn't the most accurate way to test a fuel pump. If I were you, I'd still go ahead and check fuel pressure with a gauge, go to: TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge.
If your Ford Taurus is equipped with an FPDM module, keep in mind it could be either a bad fuel pump or a bad FPDM causing the fuel delivery issue.
CASE 2: The engine did not start, not even momentarily. This test result usually means a fuel delivery problem isn't the cause of your vehicle's no-start. I do want to emphasize that this is true only if you've checked and confirmed that all six cylinders are getting spark.
More 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus Diagnostic Tutorials
You can find a complete list of 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable diagnostic tutorials in this index:
Here's a sample of the diagnostic tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Do And Interpret An Engine Compression Test (1990-2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
- How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1990-2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
- How To Test The MAF Sensor (1996-1999 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
- How To Test The MAF Sensor (2000-2003 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
