The fuel pump relay is an important yet often neglected part of your car’s fuel system. The fuel pump relay controls the amount of fuel going to your engine.
So if it is broken, your engine performance will falter. If your field pump relay breaks, then you will need to get it replaced as soon as possible.
On average, you can expect to pay about $130 to replace a fuel pump relay. The typical price range is between $90 on the low end and $180 on the high end.
Some higher-end cars may cost upwards of $200+ to replace a fuel pump relay. Generally speaking, fuel pump relay costs are cheap compared to other car repairs.
Replacement costs will depend on the make and model of your car and your mechanic’s location.
To help you out, we put together this comprehensive guide on fuel pump relay costs. We will cover replacement costs for various models of cars and talk about factors that affect replacement costs.
Quick Navigation
What Is a Fuel Pump Relay?
The fuel pump relay is an electronic component on modern cars that is located near the vehicle’s fuse box.
The fuel pump relay controls power to the fuel pump and is controlled by either the ignition or powertrain control module (PCM) turned on, it sends current to the fuel pump so it can draw fuel from the tank into the engine.
As such, any faults with the fuel pump can lead to inconsistencies with the actual fuel pump mechanism. This can lead to engine problems and deceased car performance.
So, if your fuel pump relay is broken, it’s in your best interest to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Fuel Pump Relay?
Overall, you can expect to pay about $130 to replace a fuel pump relay. Fuel pump relays are relatively cheap compared to other car parts and labor is minimal.
Replacement is only difficult if your car requires special tools to access the fuse box. Below is a table showing average fuel pump relay replacement costs for various popular models of cars.
These prices are average and are subject to change depending on the age of your car and your mechanic’s location.
| Make/Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Honda Civic | $140 |
| Honda CRV | $160 |
| Toyota Camry | $130 |
| Toyota Corolla | $130 |
| Chevy Silverado | $170 |
| Ford F-150 | $170 |
| Ford Fusion | $110 |
| Ford Mustang | $120 |
| Nissan Altima | $130 |
| BMW 3 Series | $140 |
| Audi A4 | $130 |
As you can see, replacing a fuel pump relay is cheap compared to a lot of other car repairs.
Labor is minimal as replacing just involves locating the fuse box and replacing the existing relay for a new one. Replacement costs of luxury brands and high-performance vehicles are even low.
If you want to buy a fuel pump relay and replace it on your own. You can expect to pay about $30 to $40 to buy the parts. So, buying a relay and replacing it on your own can save you money.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Fuel Pump Relay Replacement
Type of relay
There are two major kinds of fuel pump relays: 4-pin and 5-pin. 4-pin relays control a single circuit whereas 5-pin relays alternate between two circuits.
Most modern cars have either a 4-pin or 5-pin relay. 5-pin relays are usually more expensive than 4-pin relays. Make sure you know what kind of relay your car needs.
Generally, you can use a 5-pin in place of a 4-pin, but not the other way around.
Car make/model
Your car’s make/model will also affect costs. Some cars require specialized tools to access the fuse box, so repairing these types of cars will usually be more expensive.
Age of your car
If you have a car more than 10 years old, you may want to replace other parts of the fuel injection system, including your fuel pump or fuel lines. Many fuel components need to be replaced after about 10 years.
Signs of a Bad Fuel Pump Relay
Here are some of the most common signs of a bad fuel pump relay.
Engine Stalling
The most obvious sign of a bad fuel pump relay is if your engine keeps stalling.
The fuel pump relay serves to control the fuel pump, which in turn controls the rate at which the fuel is channeled to the combustion chamber.
If not enough fuel makes it to the engine, it cannot start the combustion reaction and the engine will stall out.
No Fuel Pump Sound
Fuel pumps should make a low humming noise when they are operational and turned on. If the fuel pump relay is broken, then your fuel pump won’t turn on and won’t make a sound.
Check near the outside of the vehicle near the fuel tank to see if you hear the sound. If not, then a broken fuel relay is the likely culprit.
On the other hand, if your fuel pump is making too much noise, then the starter relay could also be damaged.
Engine Won’t Start
Similar to stalling, another sign of a broken fuel pump relay is if your engine will not start at all.
Since the fuel pump cannot pump fuel from the tank to the combustion chamber, the engine cannot start the combustion reaction at all.
Overheating Engine
The fuel pump actually plays an important role in regulating the temperature of your engine. So if the relay is broken and cannot work the pump, then your engine can actually overheat.
If your engine gets too hot, you may see smoke coming from your hood.
Low Fuel Pressure
Another common symptom of a broken fuel pump relay is low fuel pressure. If you are not sure if you have low fuel pressure, you can check using a fuel pressure gauge while revving the engine.
Engine Surging
Two things can happen when the fuel pump relay breaks. It can cause the pump to not pump enough fuel but it can also cause the pump to channel too much fuel.
If the fuel pump relay is broken, then the fuel pump may cause the engine to randomly gain or lose speed, which can be very dangerous as you may lose control of the car.
Lowered Fuel Economy
Like any problem with your fuel system, a broken fuel pump relay can lead to lowered fuel economy.
Combustion relies on a very specific mixture of air and fuel, so if the pump is providing too much or not enough fuel, the combustion reaction will be inefficient.
If your gas mileage decreases, the fuel pump relay could be the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace a fuel pump relay?
You can expect to pay about $130 to replace a standard fuel pump relay. The typical price range is between $90 on the low end and $180 on the high end.
Most of the cost of replacement comes from labor. The part itself is relatively cheap compared to other car components.
How often should I replace my fuel pump relay?
Fuel pump relays are designed to last the entire lifespan of the car. So if you take care of your car properly and get regular maintenance, you may never have to replace a fuel pump relay.
Generally speaking, your fuel pump relay will start to show some signs of wear and tear after about 150,000 to 200,000 miles, or about 15 years. You should still get your fuel pump array inspected once every year or so.
Can I replace a fuel pump relay on my own?
Yes, you can replace a fuel pump relay on your own with minimal expertise. The only tools you need are a standard ratchet wrench, needle-nose pliers, and wheel chocks.
All you need to do is locate the fuel pump relay in the fusebox, remove it, and replace it with the new relay.
Can I drive with a bad fuel pump relay?
Sometimes, yes, you can drive on a bad fuel pump relay. Your engine may stall and stop frequently though. If the relay is too damaged, then your engine may not even start at all.
Even if you can, we would not recommend driving on a broken fuel pump relay as it can cause further problems with your engine.
Can I bypass a fuel pump relay?
Yes, you can completely bypass a fuel pump relay by connecting a source of power directly to the fuel pump itself.
The most common way to do this is to connect a constant 12VDC source of power to the fuel pump relay with a manual switch to turn it on and off.
The main advantage to this setup is you can check fuel pressure when the engine is not currently on.
Final Words
Fuel pump relays are a relatively small but important part of your car. Without the relay, your engine performance may fall.
Fuel pump relays are fairly cheap, so you can replace them without too much trouble. If you don’t want to pay a mechanic, you can buy the parts and replace them on your own.
As always, make sure you get quotes from several mechanics so you can get the best price.
