It seems you’re diving into diagnosing a fuel issue on your 1996 Toyota Corolla, and you’ve consulted the Haynes manual. That’s a good starting point, but there’s a crucial detail about the fuel pump operation in your Corolla that the manual might misrepresent.
A common misconception, possibly fueled by manuals, is that you should hear the fuel pump whirring as soon as you turn the ignition to the “ON” position. However, for your 1996 Toyota Corolla, this isn’t accurate. The fuel pump is designed to activate only when the key is in the “START” position or, importantly, when the engine is running and producing spark with the key in the “ON” position.
The engine computer plays a key role here. It needs to verify that the engine is sparking, which it does through a signal called IGF (Ignition Feedback signal) from the igniter. Without this IGF signal confirming spark, the computer will not activate the fuel pump via the circuit opening relay. This is a safety and efficiency feature in your 1996 Toyota Corolla.
Now, about that +B and Fp trick you might have read about. Jumping the +B and Fp terminals in the diagnostic connector should indeed force the fuel pump to run, assuming the metal terminals are still present in your Corolla’s connector. Toyota, at some point, started removing these terminals despite the Fp label remaining on the sticker. After jumping these terminals, remember you still need to turn the ignition key to the “ON” position to provide power. A good check is to see if you have 12 volts at the +B terminal with the key in the “ON” position. Furthermore, you can use a multimeter to check for continuity between the Fp terminal and the fuel pump wire at the pump itself. This confirms that the Fp terminal is directly connected to the fuel pump, and jumping +B and Fp should indeed power it up.
Another useful trick for isolating fuel pump noise is to pull the starter relay. By removing the starter relay, you can turn the key to the “START” position and hold it without the starter motor engaging and making noise. This allows you to clearly listen for the fuel pump operating.
However, before you get too deep into fuel pump diagnostics, there’s a more fundamental step for your 1996 Toyota Corolla: check for spark first! In your 1996 Toyota Corolla, a lack of spark will prevent the fuel pump from running (except during cranking). Use a timing light or simply pull a spark plug wire and check for spark while someone cranks the engine. This will quickly tell you if the ignition system is functioning.
Finally, you mentioned checking the ignition coil. It’s worth noting that ignition coils, especially in older vehicles like a 1996 Toyota Corolla, can sometimes pass standard resistance tests but still fail under load or higher temperatures. A faulty ignition coil, even if it seems to test okay, could be the root cause of your no-start issue and prevent the fuel pump from activating correctly. Consider this as you continue your diagnosis of your 1996 Toyota Corolla.
