Anyone know how to replace fuel pump ECU?
#2
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: International
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Changing the Fuel pump ECU is quite easy:
Remove rear seats, lift up the seat base at the front edge. the upright part is held in by the now exposed bolts (2 or 3 of them).
Remove the exposed left side panel (the ECU is in here on the RHD models, could have been re-located to the right side for the US models).
Unplug harness and remove single bolt.
Heres a photo of the internals, it's all set in epoxy so replacing any bits is a real no-no.
Picture replaced with one courtesy OLT
Remove rear seats, lift up the seat base at the front edge. the upright part is held in by the now exposed bolts (2 or 3 of them).
Remove the exposed left side panel (the ECU is in here on the RHD models, could have been re-located to the right side for the US models).
Unplug harness and remove single bolt.
Heres a photo of the internals, it's all set in epoxy so replacing any bits is a real no-no.
Picture replaced with one courtesy OLT
Last edited by DaveGS4; 04-17-07 at 01:40 PM.
#3
The fuel pump ECU (at least for SC300) is located on the side panel, rear seat, driver side, just below the side window. Just remove the side panel, and you will see it there.
The only purpose of the fuel pump ECU is to supply lower voltage to the fuel pump when the main engine ECU determines max fuel pressure is not needed. Many owners, especially with turbo upgrades, have bypassed the ECU entirely, which just sends a full 12V to the fuel pump at all times. Doesn't really seem to lower pump life and eliminates any problems with the FP ECU. (This voltage jump does NOT affect fuel pressure to the engine, this is controlled by the pressure regulator up front). For details on how to simply accomplish this modification, look in the technical section for 12V Fuel Pump mod on the Supra site: wwww.mkiv.com
Phil
The only purpose of the fuel pump ECU is to supply lower voltage to the fuel pump when the main engine ECU determines max fuel pressure is not needed. Many owners, especially with turbo upgrades, have bypassed the ECU entirely, which just sends a full 12V to the fuel pump at all times. Doesn't really seem to lower pump life and eliminates any problems with the FP ECU. (This voltage jump does NOT affect fuel pressure to the engine, this is controlled by the pressure regulator up front). For details on how to simply accomplish this modification, look in the technical section for 12V Fuel Pump mod on the Supra site: wwww.mkiv.com
Phil
#5
Fuel Pump ECU
The Fuel Pump Pressure has no DIRECT effect on actual fuel flow to the injectors or air/fuel mixture. That function is all handled by the fuel pressure regulator (with signals from the main engine ECU) mounted on the engine. Fuel in excess of that needed at any given moment is routed through the fuel bypass line and back into the fuel tank. Only when fuel flow from the pump is LESS than needed by the engine management system will there be an adverse effect on the overall air/fuel ratio.
The Fuel Pump ECU is designed to detect lower power engine situations (as determined by the main engine ECU) which do not require full fuel pump pressure, and send a lesser voltage to the pump, hence lower fuel flow output. This is presumably to add life to the pump itself, but, again, has no direct effect on actual fuel usage, or engine power output. Many owners bypass the FP ECU completely, giving it full 12 volt power and full flow continuously to insure that any add-on after-market electronic devices which might 'trick' the main engine control unit into assuming less than normal power and hence not give the Fuel Pump ECU the correct signal. This could result in a lean fuel mixture and possibly damage the engine!
The only adverse effect of bypassing the Fuel Pump ECU is the possibility of shortened pump life since it WILL be working at full bore all the time. This does NOT seem to be a problem or concern among owners who have made this mod. Worse case, the replacement pump is a $150 or so item, and replacement is a hour or less!
The Fuel Pump ECU is designed to detect lower power engine situations (as determined by the main engine ECU) which do not require full fuel pump pressure, and send a lesser voltage to the pump, hence lower fuel flow output. This is presumably to add life to the pump itself, but, again, has no direct effect on actual fuel usage, or engine power output. Many owners bypass the FP ECU completely, giving it full 12 volt power and full flow continuously to insure that any add-on after-market electronic devices which might 'trick' the main engine control unit into assuming less than normal power and hence not give the Fuel Pump ECU the correct signal. This could result in a lean fuel mixture and possibly damage the engine!
The only adverse effect of bypassing the Fuel Pump ECU is the possibility of shortened pump life since it WILL be working at full bore all the time. This does NOT seem to be a problem or concern among owners who have made this mod. Worse case, the replacement pump is a $150 or so item, and replacement is a hour or less!
The following users liked this post:
FrankT (12-17-22)
#6
Racer
Great Tip, Phil! (nice LexusTT web page, too!)
Wow- what kind of design logic is this, where a $150 fuel pump is "protected" by a Fuel Pump ECU that approaches the same cost.
And what happens when a FP ECU fails? Does the fuel pump:
1) stop working altogether, stalling the engine? Or does it just...
2) stop lowering the voltage at times, sending 12 volts full time- the very same effect as bypassing it?
If it is 1), then you theoretically make your car MORE RELIABLE by removing it! This has got to be the TIP OF THE MONTH!
If it is 2), then you'll never know it fails! But then I doubt "lionj" would have posted this question in the first place!
So I must be missing something here- maybe when a FP ECU fails you got another condition besides 1) or 2).
And what happens when a FP ECU fails? Does the fuel pump:
1) stop working altogether, stalling the engine? Or does it just...
2) stop lowering the voltage at times, sending 12 volts full time- the very same effect as bypassing it?
If it is 1), then you theoretically make your car MORE RELIABLE by removing it! This has got to be the TIP OF THE MONTH!
If it is 2), then you'll never know it fails! But then I doubt "lionj" would have posted this question in the first place!
So I must be missing something here- maybe when a FP ECU fails you got another condition besides 1) or 2).
Last edited by PERRYinLA; 03-13-04 at 05:29 PM.
#7
Fuel Pump mods
Good points you've made about the necessity for the ECU. I'm not a Toyota engineer, so can't guess. I'll just pass along my own observation and experiences with this critter.
I've done the bypass to my SC300 (which, admittedly, now has the Supra Twin Turbo engine, and the higher-capacity Supra fuel pump), and it has worked flawlessly. Sorry, I'm not gonna tear into the upholstery again to look at my bypassed ECU, but, since the info on the SUPRA site IS specific to the very similar but sometimes different Supra setup, I DID review my factory manual for the SC300. Here's the scoop:
When you unplug the connector to the Fuel Pump ECU, here is what you will find:
The connector should have 5 pins and/or wires coming out. According to the manual, from left to right, (or vice versa, depending on which way you are looking at it):
Left: GROUND White/Black
Diagnostic Connector Purple
Input from Main ECU Red/Green
12v Power fm EFI Relay Black/Red
Right: Power TO Fuel Pump GREEN
First, I would get out my voltage tester, and confirm with ignition switch on : 12 volts on the Black Red Wire, 8-12 volts on the GREEN wire. If this checks:
1. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!! Can't be too careful with that main Engine ECU
2. Leave about 2 " of wire on the ECU connector in case you want to reverse the process later
3. Cut BOTH the BLACK/RED Wire (main 12V power from the EFI relay), AND the GREEN wire (power TO the fuel pump)
4. Join the two wires together you've just cut (NO!! NOT the short ones still on the connector, but the other two ends!) DON'T use the hokey household romex twist connectors as shown in the pics on the SUPRA site. Do it right, with a good solder connection and heat-shrink wrap over. After all if this connection fails, you are definitely gonna be WALKING! (not an easy roadside fix)
5. Tape over the two separate ends of the 2 inch wires left on the connector (shouldn't be necessary, but just to be safe.
That's it! You've successfully eliminated the Fuel Pump ECU!
2. Cut BOTH
I've done the bypass to my SC300 (which, admittedly, now has the Supra Twin Turbo engine, and the higher-capacity Supra fuel pump), and it has worked flawlessly. Sorry, I'm not gonna tear into the upholstery again to look at my bypassed ECU, but, since the info on the SUPRA site IS specific to the very similar but sometimes different Supra setup, I DID review my factory manual for the SC300. Here's the scoop:
When you unplug the connector to the Fuel Pump ECU, here is what you will find:
The connector should have 5 pins and/or wires coming out. According to the manual, from left to right, (or vice versa, depending on which way you are looking at it):
Left: GROUND White/Black
Diagnostic Connector Purple
Input from Main ECU Red/Green
12v Power fm EFI Relay Black/Red
Right: Power TO Fuel Pump GREEN
First, I would get out my voltage tester, and confirm with ignition switch on : 12 volts on the Black Red Wire, 8-12 volts on the GREEN wire. If this checks:
1. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!! Can't be too careful with that main Engine ECU
2. Leave about 2 " of wire on the ECU connector in case you want to reverse the process later
3. Cut BOTH the BLACK/RED Wire (main 12V power from the EFI relay), AND the GREEN wire (power TO the fuel pump)
4. Join the two wires together you've just cut (NO!! NOT the short ones still on the connector, but the other two ends!) DON'T use the hokey household romex twist connectors as shown in the pics on the SUPRA site. Do it right, with a good solder connection and heat-shrink wrap over. After all if this connection fails, you are definitely gonna be WALKING! (not an easy roadside fix)
5. Tape over the two separate ends of the 2 inch wires left on the connector (shouldn't be necessary, but just to be safe.
That's it! You've successfully eliminated the Fuel Pump ECU!
2. Cut BOTH
Trending Topics
#8
Lexus Champion
I don't see why we have to use this method to raise the fuel pressure. Increasing pressure fuel can damage injectors, injectors seals etc . Why don't we use a bigger pump, bigger injectors?
JPI
JPI
Last edited by JPI Racing; 03-13-04 at 05:46 PM.
#9
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: International
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A reported "downside" to the fuel pump bypass;
The fuel ECU delivers three states, OFF/LOW FEED/HIGH FEED, this is determined by the running conditions, if the engine is stalled the ECU would go to OFF, with the bypass in place this option is not available, so in worst case scenario if you had an accident and killed the engine or fractured a fuel line the ECU would not be able to go to OFF and would continue to pump fuel round the system or into the engine bay or just dump it onto the road.
The fuel ECU delivers three states, OFF/LOW FEED/HIGH FEED, this is determined by the running conditions, if the engine is stalled the ECU would go to OFF, with the bypass in place this option is not available, so in worst case scenario if you had an accident and killed the engine or fractured a fuel line the ECU would not be able to go to OFF and would continue to pump fuel round the system or into the engine bay or just dump it onto the road.
#10
Originally posted by JPI
I don't see why we have to use this method to raise the fuel pressure. Increasing pressure fuel can damage injectors, injectors seals etc . Why don't we use a bigger pump, bigger injectors?
JPI
I don't see why we have to use this method to raise the fuel pressure. Increasing pressure fuel can damage injectors, injectors seals etc . Why don't we use a bigger pump, bigger injectors?
JPI
#11
The ECU is NOT there to protect the fuel pump. It is there to make less noise and heat the fuel less under light load conditions.
Bypassing does NOT raise fuel pressure. Only messing with the regulator can do that. Bypassing is just done by turbo cars that are afraid their upgrades may mean fuel starvation when the ECU thinks the engine only requires low flow from the pump. Anyone with a Supra TT pump should do it as well, because the FP ECU probably can't handle the extra current required to operate this pump, and would most likely burn out or shut down. The safest way to do this would be with a heavier, fused, direct 12V from the battery, switched by a high current relay. The FP ECU operates the relay. You need to find a high current one so it thinks the relay is the pump and doesn't shut down due to "pump missing".
Bypassing does NOT raise fuel pressure. Only messing with the regulator can do that. Bypassing is just done by turbo cars that are afraid their upgrades may mean fuel starvation when the ECU thinks the engine only requires low flow from the pump. Anyone with a Supra TT pump should do it as well, because the FP ECU probably can't handle the extra current required to operate this pump, and would most likely burn out or shut down. The safest way to do this would be with a heavier, fused, direct 12V from the battery, switched by a high current relay. The FP ECU operates the relay. You need to find a high current one so it thinks the relay is the pump and doesn't shut down due to "pump missing".
Last edited by Fred Smith; 03-15-04 at 03:30 PM.
#12
Lead Lap
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: GA
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sorry to bring back an old thread but at least i searched. hopefully someone can help and i don't have to start a new thread...
i've in the process of tuning the na-t. boostlogic stage 2 w/ 525cc injectors, tt denso fuel pump, and aem 1101.
idle is good but car is sputtering under 3k RPM's under full throttle. i have not done the 12v mod yet but could this be causing the sputtering issue? here's my theory...since i'm running the aem, the fuel pump ecu does not get the "high speed" mode signal it would normally get w/ the stock ecu. thoughts? tia.
i've in the process of tuning the na-t. boostlogic stage 2 w/ 525cc injectors, tt denso fuel pump, and aem 1101.
idle is good but car is sputtering under 3k RPM's under full throttle. i have not done the 12v mod yet but could this be causing the sputtering issue? here's my theory...since i'm running the aem, the fuel pump ecu does not get the "high speed" mode signal it would normally get w/ the stock ecu. thoughts? tia.
#13
Lead Lap
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: GA
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
after some further research, i found dejacky's thread where he mentioned that this mod was required or "car would not get proper fuel when the throttle was applied more than a "little bit."".
i'd like to know people's thoughts though so let me know...i'll see if this resolves my issue as well later on next week.
i'd like to know people's thoughts though so let me know...i'll see if this resolves my issue as well later on next week.
#14
Driver School Candidate
Thanks so much
Well my 92 sc400 has been sitting for 6 months.I just changed out the crank seal.Now i traced a no fuel problem to the fuel pump ecu .I got a bad wire "no continuity between fuel pump ecu and engine ecu.
But thanks to this thread and its posters,You guys saved me 100's of dollars ,and maby a trip to a garage.I jumped out the pins as directed "strait 12 v to the pump,and i have fuel ,and now a running car.Thanks alot for posting this,you guys saved me hours of headaches and the cost of parts @!!!!!! yay ill be driving my lexus today
But thanks to this thread and its posters,You guys saved me 100's of dollars ,and maby a trip to a garage.I jumped out the pins as directed "strait 12 v to the pump,and i have fuel ,and now a running car.Thanks alot for posting this,you guys saved me hours of headaches and the cost of parts @!!!!!! yay ill be driving my lexus today
The following 2 users liked this post by Sc4004me:
2jzBrandon (05-18-24),
FrankT (12-17-22)
#15
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NC
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fuel Pump ECU Bypass
Wow- what kind of design logic is this, where a $150 fuel pump is "protected" by a Fuel Pump ECU that approaches the same cost.
And what happens when a FP ECU fails? Does the fuel pump:
1) stop working altogether, stalling the engine? Or does it just...
2) stop lowering the voltage at times, sending 12 volts full time- the very same effect as bypassing it?
If it is 1), then you theoretically make your car MORE RELIABLE by removing it! This has got to be the TIP OF THE MONTH!
If it is 2), then you'll never know it fails! But then I doubt "lionj" would have posted this question in the first place!
So I must be missing something here- maybe when a FP ECU fails you got another condition besides 1) or 2).
And what happens when a FP ECU fails? Does the fuel pump:
1) stop working altogether, stalling the engine? Or does it just...
2) stop lowering the voltage at times, sending 12 volts full time- the very same effect as bypassing it?
If it is 1), then you theoretically make your car MORE RELIABLE by removing it! This has got to be the TIP OF THE MONTH!
If it is 2), then you'll never know it fails! But then I doubt "lionj" would have posted this question in the first place!
So I must be missing something here- maybe when a FP ECU fails you got another condition besides 1) or 2).
Loo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bugjug
SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)
1
02-15-11 04:41 PM