The fuel pump running for a short time after the ignition is turned is not a
design feature. It is a glitch. In order for the pump to run the ECU needs
to see the pulses from the distributor turning. Depending on distributor
position turning the key on will often give a pulse (accompanied by a
spark), and this will cause the pump to run briefly. If the pump runs while
the engine is turning then all is good. No reason to go further.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Nirav V. Patel [USA]
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2011 9:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 84 Westy Fuel Pump Problem

I'm a newbie with VW repair and maintenance, but getting better.
Would love any and all thoughts on a problem I have with my fuel pump.

I can't seem to get my fuel pump to do the one sec prime when the key
is in the run position.  Fuel pump runs when jumped with 12v.   I
tested my wires (Relay to Fuel Pump) with a multimeter, and the output
from the relay box to the fuel pump is reading .10 on the multimeter
for the 1sec duration when the key is on the run position.  When the
engine starts I'm getting 12v. I've swapped out my relays and tested
another ECU.  The wiring seems intact.

Today I removed the steering column cover to check the key lock
mechanism (ignition switch?). I was told that this mechanism is
signaling to the ECU. When I pulled out the connector behind the key
lock, this is what I saw: http://goo.gl/bgLcy

Is it possible to jump these wires in order to test to see if the key
lock mechanism is broken?  If it is broken, perhaps it's not signaling
correctly to the ECU. But then again, maybe I'm completely off base
here. Please help.  I'm at a loss.

Greetings from Austin, Texas.

+nirav