Fuel Pump - Whine Heard Through Radio Speakers
Article No.01-7-3
04/16/01
^ FUEL SYSTEM - FUEL PUMP
"WHINING"/"BUZZING" NOISE COMES THROUGH
ENTERTAINMENT OR TWO - WAY RADIO SPEAKER
^ RADIO - ENTERTAINMENT OR TWO - WAY
COMMUNICATION - "WHINING"/"BUZZING" NOISE
IN SPEAKERS CAUSED BY FUEL PUMP
^ NOISE - "WHINING"/"BUZZING" - COMES THROUGH
SPEAKERS OF ENTERTAINMENT OR TWO-WAY
RADIO
FORD:
1990-1994 TEMPO
1990-1997 PROBE, THUNDERBIRD
1990-1999 ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS
1990-2001 CROWN VICTORIA
1997-1999 CONTOUR
2001 TAURUS
1990 BRONCO II
1990-1996 BRONCO
1990-1997 AEROSTAR, F SUPER DUTY, F-250 HD, F-350
1990-1999 F-250 LD
1990-2001 ECONOLINE, F-150, RANGER
1991-2001 EXPLORER
1995-2001 WINDSTAR
1997-2001 EXPEDITION
1999-2001 SUPER DUTY F SERIES
2000-2001 EXCURSION
2001 ESCAPE
LINCOLN:
1990-1992 MARK VII
1990-1999 CONTINENTAL
1990-2001 TOWN CAR
1997-1998 MARK VIII
1998-2001 NAVIGATOR
MERCURY:
1990-1994 TOPAZ
1990-1997 COUGAR
1990-1999 SABLE
1990-2001 GRAND MARQUIS
1991-1999 TRACER
1997-1999 MYSTIQUE
1999 COUGAR
2001 SABLE
1993-2001 VILLAGER
1997-2001 MOUNTAINEER
This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to update the model year vehicles.
ISSUE
A "whining"/"buzzing" noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump may be caused by electrical noise from the fuel pump.
ACTION
Install an electronic noise Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) Filter (F1PZ-18B925-A) on the fuel pump inside the fuel tank. Refer to the following Test Procedure to confirm that the concern exists, then refer to the Service Procedure for repair details.
NOTE
SOME LIGHT TRUCKS REQUIRE ONE (1) RFI FILTER FOR EACH IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP ON MULTI-TANK VEHICLES.
NOTE
THIS TSB DOES NOT INCLUDE TAURUS FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLES (FFVS) OR 1999 RANGER 3.0L FFVS.
TEST PROCEDURE
Fuel pump radio noise is relatively constant and changes only slightly with vehicle speed. If the frequency of the noise varies or the noise comes and goes with the vehicle speed, then it is not the fuel pump and this fix will not be effective. The following procedure will help determine if the fuel pump is the cause of the radio noise:
1. Turn on the radio before the key is turned on (assuming the radio will operate without the ignition key - you may need to put the ignition key in the Accessory position).
2. Turn the ignition key to the Run position (do not start the engine).
3. The fuel pump should run for about 1 second with the key in the Run position with the engine not running. Listen for noise in the radio. If noise is present while the pump is running and stops when the pump stops, then the noise is being generated by the pump and this procedure should help.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Remove the fuel pump sender assembly from the fuel tank. Refer to the appropriate model year Workshop Manual for removal procedure.
2. On vehicles without a fuel delivery module, remove the negative and positive connectors from the fuel pump, Figure 1.
a. Cut the wires to the fuel pump 76 mm (3") from the flange of the fuel pump and discard the wires.
b. Connect the RFI filter connectors to the spade terminal on the fuel pump.
c. Cut and solder both the red and black wires of the RFI filter to the red and black wires of the flange. Use Heat Shrink Tubing (F5AZ-14A099-M) over the solder connections.
NOTE
HEAT SHRINK TUBING MUST BE USED OVER ALL SOLDERED CONNECTIONS MADE PRIOR TO THIS TSB. USE SUFFICIENT TUBING (ABOUT 50 mm (2",)) OF THE SPECIFIED TYPE TO ENTIRELY COVER EACH SOLDERED CONNECTION AND SHRINK APPROPRIATELY TO PREVENT EXPOSURE OF THE CONNECTIONS.
NOTE
FOR SOME VEHICLES WITH EXTREMELY LONG FUEL PUMP GROUND WIRE CIRCUITS, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO SHORTEN THE GROUND WIRE TO A POINT CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE GROUND IS MOVED, BE SURE IT IS SECURE AND PROTECTED FROM CORROSION SINCE IT IS THE OPERATING GROUND FOR THE PUMP. CHECK SERVICE LITERATURE (EVTM, ETC.) FOR GROUND LOCATIONS.
WARNING
ALL SOLDERING AND HEAT SHRINKING MUST BE COMPLETED AWAY FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA. USE A SOLDERING IRON ONLY FOR SOLDERING AND HEAT GUN ONLY FOR APPLYING SHRINK TUBING.
3. On light trucks and compact trucks with a fuel delivery module, cut the fuel pump wires to the fuel delivery module 50 mm (2") from the flange and discard the wires, Figure 2.
a. Cut the connectors from the RFI filter and solder wires to the fuel delivery module (red to red and black to black). Use heat shrink tubing over soldering connections.
b. Solder wires from the RFI filter to the flange wires (red to red and black to black). Use heat shrink tubing over soldered connections.
NOTE:
HEAT SHRINK TUBING MUST BE USED OVER ALL SOLDERED CONNECTIONS MADE PRIOR TO THIS TSB. USE SUFFICIENT TUBING (ABOUT 50 mm (2")) OF THE SPECIFIED TYPE TO ENTIRELY COVER EACH SOLDERED CONNECTION AND SHRINK APPROPRIATELY TO PREVENT EXPOSURE OF THE CONNECTIONS.
NOTE:
FOR SOME VEHICLES WITH EXTREMELY LONG FUEL PUMP GROUND WIRE CIRCUITS, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO SHORTEN THE WIRE TO A POINT CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK IF THE GROUND IS MOVED, BE SURE IT IS SECURE AND PROTECTED FROM CORROSION. SINCE IT IS THE OPERATING GROUND FOR THE PUMP. CHECK SERVICE LITERATURE (EVTM, ETC.) FOR GROUND LOCATIONS.
WARNING
ALL SOLDERING AND HEAT SHRINKING MUST BE COMPLETED AWAY FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA. USE A SOLDERING IRON ONLY FOR SOLDERING AND HEAT GUN ONLY FOR APPLYING SHRINK TUBING.
4. Secure the RFI filter to the fuel pump and sender assembly with a Bundling Strap (95873-S101) to prevent rattling in the tank, Figures 1 and 2.
5. Reinstall the fuel pump sender assembly into the fuel tank.
CAUTION
INSTALL NEW GASKETS WHEN REINSTALLING SENDER TO PREVENT LEAKS. REFER TO THE PARTS CATALOG FOR PROPER APPLICATIONS.
6. Check the appropriate Electrical and vacuum troubleshooting manual (EVTM) (or other Service Literature) for the location of the fuel pump pump ground. If ground is more than 0.9m (3') from the tank, cut wire and ground fuel pump end within 0.9m (3') of the tank to prevent ground wire from acting as an antenna. Be sure ground is secure and protected from corrosion since it is the operating ground for the fuel pump.
7. Install the fuel tank in the vehicle as outlined in the appropriate Service or Workshop manual.
PARTS BLOCK
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 90-18-3, 91-17-5
SUPERSEDES: 99-12-9
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
OPERATION/DESCRIPTION/TIME
DEALER CODING
OASIS CODES: 205000, 207000, 404000, 702000, 702300