BIG TIME HELP please!! Dr. J! Someone!

[GregElliott]

I sucked all the gas outta my 91 3SFE SV21 Camry... at the tank, I disconnected the overflow/vent line that is attatched to the inlet (filler) pipe. Then i put a hose in there and pumped the gas out. Then I poured 5 gal of brand new gas in.
Well now my fuel pump doesn't pump when I turn the key on... could I have damaged it somehow or cause something to come loose inside the tank to make it not work?

[Doctor J]

The pump is not turning on when you turn ignition ON; to have pump running the key must be in start or the engine must run, so the AFM switch will keep the fuel pump working.
After drain and refill the tank, you can prime the pump doing this:
using paper clip jump FP and B+ terminals in diagnostic box;
turn ignition on
At this time the pump should produce noise[faint whine]
after 5 seconds, remove the jumper and start the engine

[Phils Camry]

As usual Doctor J you have the clencher.

[GregElliott]

i stuck a jumper wire in to bridge the terminals, i'm not sure if it went in far enough or not... either way the pump didn't make any noise

[Doctor J]

You may need to jiggle the jumper a little; the running fuel will make noise.

[GregElliott]

will it be instant? and what if nothing happens?

[Doctor J]

You would hear this noise as long as jumper is in place; the best way to verify that power is getting to the pump is to unplug the pump and attach the 12v cordless drill motor using alligator wires if after shorting Fp and B+ terminals the drill will work then the power is getting to the pump.

[fredk]

I like to take the big intake hose off the air meter, turn the key on, and put your finger in the meter and push the door open, if you have the line off the fuel filter it will pour gas out, if not the pump is not running

[TBayToyotaBoy]

If the original factory pump is still in your tank, I'd be surprised if you damaged it while draining/filling the tank. My tank has been replaced twice, the car has almost 400,000km on it, and still the original pump works A-1. If, however, the pump was replaced with an aftermarket unit on your car, then it's entirely possible that it's fried.

Either way, it should be quite audible (the whining sound) as soon as you jump the terminals. If you have the rear bench and the sending unit access hatch removed, the pump will be impossible to miss when running...

[GregElliott]

does every camry have that hatch? and do I have to drop the tank to change the pump?

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Yes, every Camry (and Corolla, and Celica, and Tercel now that I think of it) of that era has the access hatch under the rear bench. Unfortunately, it only performs two functions: 1) to disconnect the power line to the pump, and 2) to inspect the sending unit.

To remove/replace the pump, you have to drop the tank. After the first two or three times you're forced to go through this procedure, it's easy! sigh*

[GregElliott]

give me some tips if possible... what do I need to be aware of... what do I have to disconnect before dropping the tank?

..tips please.

[GregElliott]

Also, how do you remove the rear seat and sending unit hatch?

[toyomoho]

Pull up from the front of the lower seat cushion, then pull forward and out.

You should see a cover that was under the seat behind the driver. Remove the cover to expose the gas tank and hatch to the pump. Remove gas lines, wiring harness to the pump and gas level sending unit.

Remove the screws around the hatch and pull up. The pump and gas level sending unit are together.

[GregElliott]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Remove the screws around the hatch and pull up. The pump and gas level sending unit are together.

Okay thanks. Lemme make clear... are you saying I can remove/change the pump via the back seat without dropping the tank?