Fuel Pump does not prime

[billt102]

My wifes 2000 Pathfinder died on the freeway.Towed it in. added some fuel just in case it was out of fuel (gauge was low but not empty). When i turn on the key i can hear the pump come on but it never stops. i crawled under it and i think i can hear fuel cycling back into the tank. bad fuel pump? (replaced 2 years ago). filter plugged?

it should build pressure then stop puping, right?

Thx!
Bill

[Towncivilian]

Replace fuel filter first. NAPA Gold or OEM are good choices.

[Pathy415]

I don't think it would hurt to change out the fuel filter, do you remember the last time it was done? As for the pump I believe it should turn on then shut off after switching the ignition to the on position.

[Innovazn]

I third the fuel filter change. Just because of the fact that the reason it died was due to no fuel. Good chances are that because your wife was so low on fuel, the pump sucked up all that delicous gunk that was settling at the bottom of the tank and clogged up your fuel filter. try it and throw some sea foam in there for fun.

[Towncivilian]

I third the fuel filter change. Just because of the fact that the reason it died was due to no fuel. Good chances are that because your wife was so low on fuel, the pump sucked up all that delicous gunk that was settling at the bottom of the tank and clogged up your fuel filter. try it and throw some sea foam in there for fun.

Instead of a harsh solvent such as Seafoam, I'd rather run a fuel system cleaner containing poly-ether amines (PEA) as this has been proven to clean effectively without leaving its own deposits. Some examples are Chevron Techron and Gumout Regane. BMW rebrands Techron as its own fuel system cleaner, and they helped develop it IIRC.

Either way, I think the fuel filter must be changed, especially if it hasn't ever been changed before. If it is clogged, the fuel pump must work harder to pump through a restricted filter and it can shorten the pump's life. I change mine yearly, but am thinking about changing every two years from now on as that's a more reasonable interval for cost effectiveness.

[billt102]

Guys, appreciate your thoughts, BUT
A. the fuel filter is not the original, it was changed when the fuel pump was changed 18-24 mos ago.
B.My wife runs her tank to the last drop and puts 10 dollars in it DESPITE my complaints, so I doubt very seriously the "deliscous gunk" is ever allowed to quantify.
C. Of COURSE I am going to change the filter, just trying to figure out WHY the pump runs and runs and never reaches PRIME when i turn the key to the on position. NORMAL is that the system pressures up in a few seconds and the pump stops. Mine is continuously running and going back through the bypass and i can hear it slpashing back into the tank.es that mean "Bad Fuel Pump"??? that's my real question

Would a clogged filter not still "pressure up" and kick off the pump at prime pressure??????? Never mind, I am just going to change the pump. I know that's the problem.

[Pathy415]

Maybe your pump has gone bad from your wife running it down to empty all the time? You never want to run the pump dry since it can cause a lot of cavitation.