Fuel pump problems

[55CrownVic]

I have an 01 3.9 V8. Fuse 17 in rear power dist. box has blown twice in the last 3 weeks with about 15 starts. This last time car wouldn't start. Checked fuse, it was ok. Removed relay 007 and checked pins for corrosion-looked clean. Replaced relay, car started. Cycled engine on and off about 3 times to check, fuse blew. Replaced fuse, no start. Pulled relay, replaced. Could hear relay click with key on and could hear pump start. Started car fine. Cycled off and on a couple of times fine. Question is: does fuse 17 protect only the relay or the relay and pump and jet pump? Car has 130,000 miles so pump may be getting hard to start and blowing fuse. Thanks for any info.
Ben

 

[joegr]

That fuse protects the fuel pump. It could be an intermittent short in the wiring, but much more likely is that the bearings in your fuel pump are wearing out. Keep going like this for long enough and you may damage the REM.

(There is no electrical power to the jet pump. It is powered by the flow of gasoline from the electric pump. The electrical connections to the jet assembly are just for the fuel level sender on that side.)

 

[tireman]

Yep, mine did this just before the fuel pump completely died. Mine died at about 135K.