Fuel Pump Amperage Draw Test (2000, 2002-2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable)

  • By: Abraham Torres-Arredondo
  • Created: 27 September 2025
  • Updated: 27 September 2025
  • Articl Id: 71
Fuel Pump Amperage Draw Test (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable)

In this tutorial, I'm gonna show you how to measure the fuel pump's internal resistance to determine its amperage draw on the 2000 and 2002–2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable.

Why check the fuel pump's amperage draw? Because a failing pump that pulls too much current can destroy the FPDM module —even if the pump still runs.

This is a super easy test, and more importantly, it'll let you spot a worn, high-draw fuel pump before it kills the FPDM module or fries your brand-new replacement module.

Contents of this tutorial:

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

  • 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
  • 3.0L V6 Mercury Sable: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.

MORE FUEL PUMP DIAGNOSTIC RESOURCES:

Why Check Fuel Pump Amperage Draw?

Your Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable's returnless fuel system uses a Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM) that supplies the fuel pump with power and a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controlled Ground.

And let me tell you, since the FPDM module activates the fuel pump directly, it is highly sensitive to excessive current draw from the pump.

If the fuel pump is failing and drawing (using) too much current to produce pressure, it will burn out the FPDM module and destroy it.

Here's why: all electric motors (such as the fuel pump) use a certain amount of current (Amps) as they run:

  • When new, a good fuel pump draws minimal current.
  • As the fuel pump ages, worn bushings, bearings, and brushes increase resistance, making the pump's motor pull more current to keep running.
  • At the end of its service life, the fuel pump's motor usually just dies completely. But in some cases, it keeps running while overdrawing current.
  • On non-PWM system (as in no FPDM module) —this excess current simply blows the fuel pump fuse.
  • In Ford's PWM system (FPDM module equipped vehicles) —the actual current delivered to the fuel pump isn't fuse-protected, so an aging fuel pump with a high amperage draw will overheat and destroy the FPDM module's internal circuitry.
  • This lack of fuse protection is the biggest design weakness (flaw) of Ford's FPDM system.

One very common misdiagnosis happens when bypassing the FPDM module to check pump operation. The fuel pump may build pressure and even start the engine, leading to the conclusion that the FPDM module is bad and needs replacing.

Unfortunately, what's really going on is that the fuel pump is overdrawing current. That's what killed the FPDM module, and when a new one is installed, the pump quickly fries it too.

This happens a lot and results in repeated FPDM module failures, making the person think they just got a bad replacement module.

To avoid this headache, it's important to check the fuel pump's internal resistance with a multimeter and then, using Ohm's Law, calculate the it's current draw.

If the current draw is 15 amps or higher, the fuel pump is bad (even if it still runs and produces fuel pressure). Replacing the pump will save the new FPDM from being destroyed.

Checking The Fuel Pump's Internal Resistance

Checking The Fuel Pump's Internal Resistance. Fuel Pump Amperage Draw Test (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable)

Alright, let's get started:

  • Step 1 —Disconnect the FPDM from its 6-wire connector.
  • Step 2 —Set the multimeter to Ohms mode.
  • Step 3 —Place the red lead on terminal 10 (FP PWR).
  • Step 4 —Place the black lead on terminal 3 (FP RTN).
  • Step 5 —Record the resistance reading.
  • Step 6 —Calculate current draw using Ohm's Law: divide 12.5 by the resistance value.
    • Example: 0.4Ω gives 31.25A (12.5 ÷ 0.4 = 31.25).
  • Spec limit —Fuel pump amperage draw must not exceed 15 amps.

More Fuel Pump Troubleshooting Help

FUEL PUMP PRESSURE TESTS:

More 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus And Mercury Sable Tutorials

I've written several more 3.0L V6 Taurus/Sable specific diagnostic test tutorials. You can find them all here:

The following tutorials are a sample of the articles you'll find in the index:

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