fuel pump issues

[vw_golf_nutter]

Hi all,
my 1989 gti 16v has a problem with the fuel pump. when you turn the key the pump starts but it doesnt go off, it stays on constantly when the ignition is on. Sometimes the car starts fine and other times it doesnt start and runs the battery out. Also the car stalled the other day sitting in the carpark and i noticed when it stalled the pump was still whirring away..
It isnt supposed to stay on permanently is it?!
And where do i start? Will it cause damage for it to stay on like that? Will it be over fuelling?

[Brighouse-gti]

Almost certain it should prime then stop, then fuel when the engine is running, and stop when the engine stops running. First place I'd look is at the relay.

[Waspy]

My limited knowledge tells me it won't be over fuelling. The fuel will just go in a circle from feed, through the fuel rail and back out the return.

I too would start with the relay.

[VW BUSH]

This car is fast becoming Triggers broom
check your relays first then check for fuel leaks.
check lift pump is working (you might not have one).
Have a new filter handy.
I bought genuine bosch pump for kjet two weeks ago for £70.
relays are about £11+vat

[gazareth]

it is a safety feature that the pump cuts out in 1-2 seconds in case of an accident. stops fuel getting pumped everywhere if there is a burst pipe. of course the engine is going to die if a pipe bursts so then the pump should stop to. it should work fine as is but I would check it out as said above.

[Brighouse-gti]

Another thing to think about... Have you got an immobiliser fitted? If your immobiliser is having issues then this would affect the fueling too. Just putting it out there!

[vw_golf_nutter]

ok so this may be connected then... it does have an immobiliser i think as there is a little slot in the centre console for a fob which is on the keys but it doesnt work as far as i know because i dont ever put the fob in the slot and the car starts....

how do i know if there is a lift pump?

this car is not triggers broom, its a curse, a massive curse and this is payback for all the good vws i have sold because i was bored!!

i will check the relay soon as i get the car back from the bodyshop... again 

[Waspy]

it is a safety feature that the pump cuts out in 1-2 seconds in case of an accident. stops fuel getting pumped everywhere if there is a burst pipe. of course the engine is going to die if a pipe bursts so then the pump should stop to. it should work fine as is but I would check it out as said above.

Interesting. When my fuel line burst it fed the fire for a lot longer than 2 seconds. As far as I could tell it was feeding until I turned the key off. I hadn't even thought about that until now.

[Brighouse-gti]

If there is a lift pump, if you go into your boot and lift the carpet up you should see the top of it or at least a round metal plate with some wires going down to the lift pump. If you disconnect the pump from under the car, as in temporarily pull the wires, turn on ignition and listen you should hear the lift pump prime, if you don't hear anything it could be a contributing factor. However it doesn't explain the fuel pump constantly priming? I'd be more inclined to be looking at the electrics of the car, first relay, then the dodgy immobiliser.

[gazareth]

if the car runs good then its unlikely the lift pump at fault. I would be having a look at the relay/fuse box first.