Bypassing the fuel pump ballast resistor. WHY?

[Ωhm]

I think all you're doing is taxing the pump harder (loss of pump life) and just pumping more fuel back through the fuel return line to the tank. No broken ballast excuses, just carry a small jumper wire in the glove box.

[omega_rugal]

you can get a few more miles out of a dying pump bypassing the resistor...

 

but yes, bypassing the resistor should be the exception not the rule

[Ωhm]

True, the dying pump can always use a good shot of voltage.

[HOrnbrod]

2 hours ago, Ωhm said:

I think all you're doing is taxing the pump harder (loss of pump life) and just pumping more fuel back through the fuel return line to the tank.

 

For sure. But tell that to the geniuses who say the resistor is only there to cut down pump noise and so they bypass it.      These people either love changing fuel pumps prematurely, or have stock in Bosch.

[Eagle]

The ballast resistor was introduced in the 1988 year for the purpose of reducing pump noise. The 1987s didn't have it.

[cruiser54]

9 hours ago, Eagle said:

The ballast resistor was introduced in the 1988 year for the purpose of reducing pump noise. The 1987s didn't have it.

 

 

Correct. 

 

How many other vehicles run pumps without resistors. 

 

 

[Ωhm]

So people bypass the ballast only to make their pump noisier. But in doing so, they tax the pump (pump life) and just pump more fuel back through the return line to the tank. That's my point. WHY?

[HOrnbrod]

Because they have existing fuel delivery problems, like a dirty filter, low fuel pressure, bad injector(s), low idle, etc. etc. and think bypassing the resistor will speed up the pump and cure all their problems.    

[87MJTIM]

1987, no ballast resistor, original pump, 300K.

 

What's the problem with bypassing?

[omega_rugal]

Just now, 87MJTIM said:

1987, no ballast resistor, original pump, 300K.

 

What's the problem with bypassing?

 

nothing, but apparently the pump is toooo noisy for some...

[gogmorgo]

I like noisy fuel pumps. At least I know they're doing something.

[omega_rugal]

Just now, gogmorgo said:

I like noisy fuel pumps. At least I know they're doing something.

 

my words exactly, that way i know if it´s getting power...

[HOrnbrod]

4 minutes ago, omega_rugal said:

my words exactly, that way i know if it´s getting power...

 

the only quiet pump is a dead pump.

[gogmorgo]

Depends on how the pump dies. Mine was making noise when it was dead, even with the ballast resistor in the loop. It just was worn out and wasn't pumping worth a damn. But because it was making noise I knew it wasn't an electrical problem. 

[cruiser54]

I've not ever had another vehicle with an in tank electric pump that used a ballast resistor.

 

If you read the bulletin I posted closely, in the first sentence they state it's more prominent in some XJs than others. Likely it's the design of the fuel tank mounting? Skid plate? Some reason our vehicles transmit/amplify the noise? 

They used the resistor until they went to a returnless fuel delivery system. 96 or so? 

 

All  mine still have the resistor installed. Bypassing it is a quick way of testing the resistor I guess.

Anyways, it was for noise. We installed quite a few of those kits at the dealership in the early years. 

 

 

[HOrnbrod]

This guy never ceases to amaze me with his dumb-down vids....