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Electric fuel pump install help... please

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Yes, the relay stays pulled in all the time the engine is running. There is really no reason a relay should not last forever in that application, since all of the wear and tear happens when it is changing state. Otherwise, it is just current flowing through a wire.

Lots of cars use fuel pump relays, although these days the relay is normally controlled by the ECU rather than the signal from the points. The one on my 95 Buick wagon has outlasted the pump now, and still works fine with over 250,000 miles on the clock.

Seems like maybe I did replace that relay once in the VW Rabbit I was given; but if so it was due to the rain water that leaked through the windshield at the bottom and down over the relay plate. The relay housing was not water-tight where the fuse contacts stuck out the top. I remember finding a used one at the junk yard, but I don't recall now if I cleaned up the original and coaxed it to work, or put in the used replacement (which was just as old, just not as corroded/contaminated).
 
Thanks for the explanation Randall. I've already order the relay... it should be here this week. The price was very reasonable.... $11 delivered.
Now, where is the best place to mount the pump, below the tank? or in the engine compartment on the firewall?

Part Number Part Type Price EA Core EA Quantity Total
1983 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT 1.8L L4
BECK/ARNLEY 2030020 Fuel Pump Relay
Wholesaler Closeout -- 30 Day Warranty $ 9.00 $ 0.00 1 $ 9.00
Discount $ -0.45
Shipping First Class Mail $ 2.23
<span style="font-weight: bold">Order Total $ 10.78</span>
 
My thought would be in the rear, near or slightly above the level of the tank, where it is relatively protected and easy to inspect or change. My Stags have it at the side of the trunk, behind a bit of carpet-covered board.

But almost anywhere should work well enough. PI TR7 have it mounted under the body just in front of the rear axle, which is a pain to access but seems to work OK otherwise.
 
When I installed an electric pump in my TR4A, I decided to put it on the firewall, low (below the tank level), right where the line comes into the engine compartment. I decided on that location because it is fairly protected, still gravity fed from the tank, and easier to get power to. Seems to be working fine for me.
 
my Carter electric pump is mounted in the boot, already has mounting points in the boot on the left side, where the PI fuel pump was suppose to mount, only issue I have is the pump makes a humming noise because its mounted to the body, I used the rubber buffers too but still hums. If I was going to buy an electric pump now I would think about this one

https://bpi.ebasicpower.com/pc/CARP60965/ALL4C

it is also a carter fuel pump, its the same one the goes on my 1997 Chris craft boat, my boat has a carburator too and it says its a low pressure model, and I never noticed the pump making any noise plus on my boat is mounted higher than the fuel tank and never noticed any issue with pumping so mounting it in the engine bay should not be a problem

Hondo
 
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