Fuel Pump Out!!! Dangerous??

[[email protected]]

Hey - So from the sound of it, I think the fuel pump is going out. Just one question though:

If the fuel pump quits while going 80mph on highway, and the car stalls out, will the automatic transmission freeze, causing all wheels to lock, or will I be able to coast out of it?

I have to drive 800miles to Helena Montana and back tomorrow and just want to know if the wheels will lock upon stalling.

Thanks for your quick answers guys, I have to leave at 6am!

[[email protected]]

!!

[diagnosticator]

If it the event that the fuel pump stops while driving at 80 mph, the only effect is running out of fuel suddenly, would be like lifting your foot off of the gas pedal quickly. The trans won't do anything wierd or cause any dramatic malfuntions like locking up, it will just loose internal system fluid pressure as the engine stops turning, and the clutches will all be slipping, with some extra drag as the torque converter will initially spin against the stopped engine, then as soon as system fluid pressure is zero, there won't be any significant torque transfer backwards through the trans anymore, the trans is in "Neutral" without any fliuid pressure as the car slows to a stop. The alternator light will probably turn on, and the steering will get a lot harder to turn the wheel, and the brakes will loose the power assist, requiring a lot more pedal force to brake.

[Papachristou]

lol! WHY would u think the whole car would lock up?

try replacing your fuel filter first!

[[email protected]]

I thought it would lock up because it is in drive. If a manual trans runs out of gas, I know I can throw it into neutral and be okay, but I've never had an auto and didn't know what would happen. Seems probable that if the car is in gear, those gears would continue to grab and lock the shit up. Obviously not!

Thanks a lot guys, this will make my trip a little less stress free. ('A little less' being the key phrase here...lol)

[diagnosticator]

I thought it would lock up because it is in drive. If a manual trans runs out of gas, I know I can throw it into neutral and be okay, but I've never had an auto and didn't know what would happen. Seems probable that if the car is in gear, those gears would continue to grab and lock the shit up. Obviously not!

Thanks a lot guys, this will make my trip a little less stress free. ('A little less' being the key phrase here...lol)

Yeah, that is understandable thinking, but the key factor here with auto transmissions, is that there must be atf/transmission fluid presssure as developed by the rotation of the engine/trans input shaft/trans fluid pump, above some minimum value, in order for the trans to be "engaged" internally. All internal functions that transmit engine torque, (or transmit drive line torque backwards to the engine, during throttle over run conditions,) can only be activated do so when there is fluid pressure inside the trans. The internal transmission parts cannot "engage" or be "in gear" if there is no fluid pressure with a stalled engine.

[Papachristou]

even if a manual runs out of gas, its not going to lock up, you will just coast to a stop, quicker than if you were in neutral...

BTW i didnt realize just how loud my fuel pump was until it went out and i got my new one..i dont even hear it prime anymore