A faulty fuel pump caused by poor electrical contacts will stop your engine or prevent your Kia Picanto from starting. Fortunately, this common problem has a quick solution if you know what to look out for. Read on to find out how to recognise the fault and what you can do about it.
Recognise a failed fuel pump straight away
The fuel pump delivers fuel from the tank to the engine. If this component fails, you immediately notice clear symptoms. The engine struggles to start or will not start at all because there is too little pressure and no fuel reaches the engine. Some owners report that the car loses power while driving or even comes to a standstill.
Other signals also point to a weak or faulty fuel pump. Your car has less pulling power, misfires or judders when accelerating. This happens mainly when the engine is still cold. Fuel consumption increases because the engine is not running efficiently. On more modern Picanto models, a warning light sometimes comes on on the dashboard, although a diagnostic scan does not always show a fault code.
Various Picanto owners experience that the Kia Picanto car problems often start with starting issues. The starter motor turns, but the engine does not fire. In some cases you do not hear a humming sound from the tank when you turn the ignition key. That immediately points to a problem with the pump or the relay.
‘ Driving with an empty tank significantly shortens the service life of the fuel pump. ’
What causes the fuel pump fault
The causes of a faulty fuel pump vary. Wear due to ageing is common, especially on older Picanto models. Dirt from a clogged fuel filter can damage the pump. Using the wrong fuel particularly harms diesel engines, because they have an additional high-pressure pump with higher pressure values of around 3 to 3.8 bar.
Electrical problems are a very common culprit. Poor contacts inside the pump itself can cause the fuse to blow. Owners report that the fuel pump fuse regularly blows due to a short circuit in the pump. A blown fuse or problems with the relay in the fuse box under the dashboard can also be the cause.
Driving with an empty tank significantly shortens the fuel pump’s lifespan. The fuel cools and lubricates the pump. Without enough fuel, the pump overheats and wears out more quickly. Some drivers find that the pump suddenly stops without warning and without a fault code appearing during a diagnostic scan.
Where to find the fuel pump in your Picanto
On most Picanto models, the electric low-pressure pump is located in the fuel tank. This applies to the Picanto I, II, III and Van versions. The pump runs on 12 volts (the vehicle’s on-board voltage) and delivers between 90 and 110 litres per hour. You will find the relay that controls the pump in the fuse box on the driver’s side.
Diesel engines often have an additional high-pressure pump located near the engine and injectors. This high-pressure pump works with higher pressure values and is more sensitive to dirt and the wrong fuel. When replacing it, choose quality pumps with the correct pressure and flow rate for your model year.
Check yourself whether the pump is working
There are a few checks you can do yourself before going to a garage. When you turn the ignition key, listen for a humming sound from the tank. If you do not hear this, the pump or the relay is probably faulty. Pay attention to the immobiliser light on the dashboard. If it flashes, there may be a problem with the immobiliser system.
Check the fuses and the relay in the fuse box. Look for signs of blown fuses or corrosion. Replace a blown fuse, but be careful: if it blows again, there is probably a short circuit in the pump itself. Measure the fuel pressure with a pressure gauge (a device for measuring pressure). Normal pressure is between 3 and 3.5 bar. Lower pressure indicates a weak pump or a clogged filter.
Owners sometimes report leakage at the fuel pump, which is visible when inspecting under the car. Juddering when the engine is cold also indicates a too-lean mixture caused by a weak pump. These signs call for quick action.
‘ Replace the fuel pump quickly to prevent engine damage and higher repair costs. ’
How to solve the problem
Replace the fuel pump quickly to prevent engine damage and higher repair costs. If you are handy, you can do this yourself. First empty the tank, then remove the pump module. Note: have a specialist test the fuel pressure to make sure the new pump is working properly. Save money by ordering parts yourself from a reliable supplier.
Do you have no technical experience? Then leave the job to a Kia specialist. They can quickly identify the cause and order the correct parts. Some owners find that cleaning the pump does not help. In that case, also check the sensors and the electrical circuit.
Prevent faults with proper maintenance
Prevention saves time and money. Replace the fuel filter at every major service to prevent dirt getting into the fuel pump. Keep the tank at least a quarter full so that the pump remains properly cooled and lubricated. Use quality fuel and occasionally add a fuel additive to keep the system clean.
Watch out for signs of a weak pump, such as juddering or loss of power. Early action prevents the pump from failing completely and leaving you stranded. If in doubt, have the fuel pressure checked during your service appointment.
- Replace the fuel filter regularly
- Keep the tank at least a quarter full
- Always use quality fuel
- Respond immediately to starting issues or loss of power
- Have the fuel pressure tested during inspections
Experiences of other Picanto drivers
Picanto owners share their experiences with fuel pump faults online. Some report that the fuel pump fuse repeatedly blows due to a short circuit in the pump. Others report no power and high fuel consumption, but without any fault code. In such cases, cleaning the pump does not solve the problem.
One owner reports that the starter motor turns, but there is no pump hum or spark at the spark plugs. In that case, the immobiliser light flashes. Leakage at the fuel pump is also a reported problem, visible during inspection. Juddering when the engine is cold is common and points to a too-lean mixture.
The general experience is that the Kia Picanto is a reliable car. Fuel-related faults caused by poor electrical contacts are described as a minor issue that a specialist can solve quickly. Acting in time prevents bigger problems and keeps repair costs down.
‘ Do not wait until the pump fails completely, because then you will really be in trouble. ’
Why acting quickly pays off
A faulty fuel pump is more than just an inconvenience. If you keep driving with it, the engine can suffer damage due to a too-lean mixture. The engine runs inefficiently, which increases fuel consumption and can damage other components such as the catalytic converter. Breaking down in an unsafe location is also a risk.
Therefore, repair or replace the pump as soon as you recognise symptoms. Most faults are caused by poor contacts or a blown fuse. These are relatively simple and inexpensive to fix. Do not wait until the pump fails completely, because then you will really be in trouble.
On the Carnews website you will find much more information about common car problems in Kia models and other brands. Discover practical tips on maintenance, recognising faults and cost-saving solutions. Take a look around and increase your knowledge about your car.
Frequently asked questions
Typical symptoms of a faulty fuel pump on a Kia Picanto are starting problems (the engine is hard to start or will not start at all) and loss of power, where the car hesitates, misfires or even stalls while driving. Fuel consumption can also increase because the engine is not running efficiently. On more modern Picantos, a warning light may come on on the dashboard, sometimes with corresponding fault codes. In addition, juddering when accelerating, especially with a cold engine, or leakage around the pump can indicate a problem.
Common causes of fuel pump problems in a Kia Picanto include wear or contamination due to a clogged fuel filter or poor/incorrect fuel. Electrical problems such as poor contacts, a blown fuse or a faulty relay are also common. Frequently driving with a (nearly) empty tank can cause the pump to overheat and drastically shorten its service life. In addition, leaks or short circuits inside the pump itself can cause sudden failure.
Yes, in principle you can replace the fuel pump in a Kia Picanto yourself if you are technically skilled, have the right tools and follow the safety instructions for fuel systems carefully. Bear in mind that you will be working with open fuel lines and often have to remove the pump module from the tank, which is not recommended for inexperienced DIY mechanics. The cost of the part alone is generally roughly between €100 and €250, depending on brand and model year. If you have a garage do the work, you can usually expect a total amount of around €300 to €600 including labour.
Ideally, always keep the fuel tank at least a quarter full so that the pump is properly cooled and lubricated. Have the fuel filter replaced on time and preferably use good-quality fuel, optionally with a system cleaner from time to time. During maintenance, also check the fuses, relays and electrical connections of the pump for corrosion or poor contacts. Respond immediately to symptoms such as starting issues, loss of power or juddering so that a deteriorating pump can be replaced in good time.