2009 Chevy Traverse Fuel Pump Relay: Where It Is, How It Works, and What To Do When It Fails

The bottom line up front: On a 2009 Chevy Traverse, the fuel pump relay is located in the under-hood fuse and relay box, which sits in the engine bay near the battery. This relay controls power to the in-tank fuel pump, and when it fails, your engine may crank but not start. Before you pay for a new pump, you should test the relay first, because a faulty relay produces symptoms that look just like a dead fuel pump.

The 2009 Chevy Traverse uses a returnless fuel system. The fuel pump lives inside the fuel tank, mounted to the fuel sender assembly, and it pushes fuel under pressure through a feed pipe to the engine. The relay is the switch that lets the engine computer turn that pump on and off. If the relay is bad, the pump never gets power, and the engine starves for fuel.

Understanding the Fuel Pump Relay's Job

The fuel pump relay is a simple electromechanical switch. When you turn the ignition to the ON position, the engine control module (ECM) energizes the relay coil. That closes the internal contacts, which sends battery voltage to the fuel pump inside the tank. The pump then builds pressure in the fuel lines within a couple of seconds.

The ECM only keeps the relay closed if it sees ignition reference pulses, meaning the engine is cranking or running. If you turn the key to ON but do not crank the engine, the ECM shuts the relay off after about two seconds. That is normal behavior, and it is the reason you hear the fuel pump hum briefly when you first turn the key.

On the 2009 Traverse, the fuel system also includes a high pressure fuel pump mounted on the engine, near the throttle body. That pump receives fuel from the in-tank pump and builds the high pressure needed for direct injection. The relay only controls the in-tank pump, not the high pressure unit.

Where To Find the Fuel Pump Relay

The under-hood fuse and relay box is the first place to look. On most Chevy models from this era, the fuel pump relay sits in the main fuse block in the engine bay, usually on the driver's side near the battery. The box has a black plastic cover. Pop it off and look at the diagram printed on the underside of the cover. You are looking for a relay labeled FUEL PUMP, F/P, or FP.

If the diagram is missing or faded, look for the relay visually. It is a small cube shaped component, usually dark gray or black, that plugs into the fuse box. On the 2009 Traverse, the relay is a standard mini relay with four terminals. You can identify it by tracing the thick wire that runs from the relay socket toward the rear of the vehicle, which is the wire that feeds the fuel pump.

Some Chevys place the fuel pump relay inside the cabin fuse panel, under the dash or behind the glove box. But on the 2009 Traverse, you should check the under-hood box first. That is where GM put it for this model generation, which includes the Traverse, Acadia, Enclave, and Outlook.

Symptoms of a Failing Fuel Pump Relay

A bad relay can cause several problems. The most common symptom is an engine that cranks normally but will not start. You turn the key, the starter spins the engine, but it never fires up. If you listen closely, you will not hear the fuel pump hum when you first turn the key to ON.

Other symptoms include:

  1. Intermittent stalling. The engine runs fine for a while, then suddenly dies. After waiting a few minutes, it restarts. This happens when the relay contacts get hot and lose connection.

  2. Long cranking time. The engine has to crank for several seconds before it starts, because the fuel pressure is too low. This can also be caused by a weak pump, so you need to test the relay first to narrow it down.

  3. No fuel pump noise. With the key in the ON position, you should hear a brief whirring sound from the rear of the vehicle, near the fuel tank. If you hear nothing, the relay is not sending power, or the pump is dead.

  4. Engine cranks, then dies immediately. The relay works long enough to build pressure, but the contacts fail under load, cutting power to the pump.

How To Test the Fuel Pump Relay

Testing the relay takes about ten minutes and requires no special tools beyond a test light or a multimeter. Follow these steps:

  1. Locate the relay. Pull the cover off the under-hood fuse box and find the fuel pump relay. If you are not sure which one it is, check the diagram on the cover.

  2. Listen for a click. Have a helper turn the ignition to the ON position while you hold the relay. You should feel and hear a distinct click as the relay energizes. If you hear nothing, the relay coil may be open.

  3. Swap the relay. Find another relay in the same fuse box that looks identical, such as the horn relay or the cooling fan relay. Pull both out and swap them. Try starting the engine. If it starts, the original relay was bad.

  4. Test the relay socket. If you want to be more thorough, use a test light to check the socket. With the key ON, you should see battery voltage on one terminal of the socket. If not, check the fuse that feeds the relay circuit.

  5. Check the pump directly. If the relay tests good but the pump still does not run, you can bypass the relay by jumping the socket. Connect a fused jumper wire between the battery positive terminal and the pump feed terminal. If the pump runs, the relay is the problem. If it does not run, you have a wiring issue or a dead pump.

What To Do If the Relay Is Bad

If the relay fails, the fix is simple. Buy a replacement relay, plug it in, and you are done. The GM part number for this relay is 13503102, and it replaces several earlier part numbers, including 12193604 and 15328864. You can buy it from a GM dealer, an auto parts store, or online. The relay is not expensive, usually under twenty dollars.

Make sure you buy the correct relay. The 2009 Traverse uses a standard four terminal relay. Check the part number on the side of the old relay and match it. If you buy a generic relay from an auto parts store, compare the terminal layout to the old one before you plug it in.

After you install the new relay, turn the key to ON and listen for the fuel pump to prime. Then try starting the engine. If it starts and runs, the problem is solved. If the relay fails again quickly, you likely have a deeper issue, such as a fuel pump that is drawing too much current and burning out the relay contacts.

When the Relay Is Not the Problem

If you replace the relay and the engine still will not start, the problem is elsewhere in the fuel system. The 2009 Traverse has a known weak spot that is not the relay at all. It is the fuel pump control module, or FPCM. This module sits under the vehicle, near the rear axle, and it regulates the voltage to the in-tank pump. The FPCM fails more often than the relay on this model, and it is actually covered by a GM special coverage program for some owners.

Here is what to check if the relay is good but the pump still does not run:

  1. Check the fuel pump fuse. Look for a fuse labeled FUEL PUMP in the under-hood fuse box. If it is blown, replace it, but know that a blown fuse often points to a shorted wiring harness under the vehicle.

  2. Check the fuel pump control module. The FPCM is mounted on the underbody near the fuel tank. It is a separate computer that tells the pump how fast to run. If it fails, the pump gets no signal and stays silent.

  3. Check fuel pressure. Use a fuel pressure gauge on the test port. With the key ON and the pump running, pressure should be between 56 and 62 psi (384 to 425 kPa). If it is much lower, the pump itself could be weak.

  4. Check the pump ground. A poor ground connection under the vehicle can stop the pump even when the relay sends power. Look for corrosion at the ground strap near the fuel tank.

Fuel Pump Replacement Reality Check

If you determine the in-tank pump is actually dead, you need to know what you are getting into. On the 2009 Traverse, there is no access panel under the rear seat. The entire fuel tank must be dropped from under the vehicle to reach the pump module. That is a significant job. You need to drain the fuel, support the tank with a jack, disconnect the filler neck, the EVAP lines, and the electrical connectors, then lower the tank and remove the lock ring that holds the pump in place.

The pump itself sits inside the fuel sender assembly, and it includes the fuel filter and the pressure regulator as part of the same module. You replace the whole module, not just the pump. This is why diagnosing the relay and the FPCM first is so important. Replacing the fuel pump module costs several hundred dollars in parts alone, plus hours of labor, when the real fix might be a twenty dollar relay or a moderately priced control module.

A Better Option: Choose a Reliable Replacement Fuel Pump

If the diagnosis does point to the in-tank pump, do not buy the cheapest pump you can find. A low quality aftermarket pump may fit, but it often fails within months because it draws too much current or delivers inconsistent pressure. The original equipment pump is reliable, but it is expensive from the dealer.

For a dependable replacement, consider KEMSO brand fuel pumps. KEMSO builds high performance fuel pumps that meet OEM replacement standards, so you get the same fit and function as the factory part without paying the dealer markup. Every KEMSO fuel pump is designed for durability and consistent fuel delivery, which keeps your engine running smoothly under all driving conditions. Plus, KEMSO stands behind its products with a lifetime warranty, giving you peace of mind long after the installation is done. If you need a fuel pump you can trust, visit KEMSO at https://www.kemsoracing.com/ and check their wide range of fuel pump options for many makes and models.

Final Thoughts

The 2009 Chevy Traverse fuel pump relay is a small part with a big job. It is located in the under-hood fuse box, easy to test, and cheap to replace. When your Traverse cranks but will not start, start with the relay before you spend money on anything else. If the relay tests good, move on to the FPCM and the fuel pressure reading. Only after those checks point to a dead pump should you consider dropping the fuel tank.

Take your time, use a test light, and do not skip the simple checks. Many owners have replaced a fuel pump only to find the real problem was a five dollar relay or a faulty control module. The tools you need are minimal, and the diagnostic steps are straightforward. A little patience and careful testing will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

If you do need a new pump, stick with a qualty brand like KEMSO. High performance, OEM replacement design, and a lifetime warranty make it the smart choice for keeping your Traverse on the road. Visit https://www.kemsoracing.com/ to see the full lineup of KEMSO fuel pumps.


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