[DONTWANT2]

I have a 72 and a few years back I installed an edelbrock electric fuel pump. I just installed a Dakota Digital dash this week and now when I start the car, everything seems fine but when I turn on the directionals I can hear the pump make a surging sound as the lights flash. It almost seems like a ground issue but I'm not sure were to look. I never did install a relay in the power line as I didn't know if I really needed one for that pump. It's a mildly built 350. any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Coppertop]

If there is no relay, how is it wired then?

 

[72RoundTable]

Did it come with installation instructions?

 

[DONTWANT2]

Joe,
I wired it to a keyed positive so as soon as you turn the key on it has power. And Elizabeth, I imagine it did but it was 7-8 years ago!

 

[rkd]

Typically, an electric fuel pump draws too much current to be wired and powered directly through the key, at least in my experience. It would risk melting the power wire to the key imho, the way my 66 is wired. Most people would use a relay to power it and use the key to turn it on and off.

I think I would change to a relay for the pump. Then insure the dash wiring was sound and well grounded. The dash is normally powered directly by the ign switch.

 

[Coppertop]

Ron is on the right track.

If you directly wired your fuel pump's power into the dash wiring, your are putting excessive current strain on your wiring. You should run a wire from the "IGN" terminal on the fuseblock to trigger a relay to turn on the pump.

The pump needs its own ground connection to body sheet metal and its power source protected by a circuit breaker or appropriate fuse.

 

[DONTWANT2]

Thanks guy's. It's been wired this way for years but I ordered the relay last night. Sounds like a good idea to get it changed. And I'm not sure why but the surging disappeared by the time I finished everything. :yes:

 

[DONTWANT2]

Not only did I order 1, Ran into a buddy last night and he gave me 6 pigtails and 18 relays. I guess I should be set for life now.LOL