2010 Chevy Traverse Fuel Pump Relay Location: The Complete Owner's Guide

If you own a 2010 Chevy Traverse and your engine cranks but won't start, the fuel pump relay is one of the first components you should check. The fuel pump relay on a 2010 Chevy Traverse is located inside the underhood fuse and relay box, which sits on the driver's side of the engine bay near the firewall. Open the lid and look for a black or gray cube-shaped relay — it's typically labeled on the diagram printed on the underside of the fuse box cover. The 2010 Traverse also has a second pump, a high-pressure unit attached to the side of the engine, but the relay that controls the in-tank pump is the one you want to inspect first when diagnosing fuel delivery problems.

Understanding exactly where this relay lives and how to test it can save you hours of frustration and potentially hundreds of dollars in unnecessary repairs. This guide walks you through the precise location, how to test the relay yourself, and what to do when you confirm it is bad.

Why the Fuel Pump Relay Matters

The fuel pump relay acts as a switch that controls power to the fuel pump, allowing it to operate only when the engine is cranking or running. Without a properly functioning relay, the in-tank pump won't receive its 12-volt power supply, which means no fuel will reach the engine, and your Traverse will crank over indefinitely without firing up.

Common signs that the fuel pump relay is failing include:

  1. Engine cranks but won't start — The most common symptom. The starter spins, but the engine never catches.
  2. Sudden stalling while driving — The relay cuts power to the pump mid-drive, causing the engine to die abruptly.
  3. Intermittent starting issues — The vehicle starts fine one day, then refuses to start the next. A failing relay may allow the car to restart after cooling down.
  4. No fuel pump hum — When you turn the key to the ON position (without starting), you should hear a brief 2–3 second whirring sound from the rear of the vehicle as the pump primes. If you hear nothing, the relay may be dead.

The good news is that a fuel pump relay is a relatively cheap part, and testing it takes only a few minutes with basic hand tools.

Pinpointing the Relay Location

On the 2010 Chevy Traverse, the under-hood fuse and relay box is the primary control center for all major electrical components. Here's how to locate it step-by-step:

  1. Open the hood and stand at the front of the vehicle. The fuse and relay box is positioned on the driver's side — close to the firewall and above the brake master cylinder area.
  2. Release the retaining clips on the lid. Most Traverse models use a simple latch on each side; press both latches and lift the cover straight up.
  3. Find the diagram — the underside of the cover has a printed diagram showing every fuse and relay position. Look for the label "FUEL PUMP" or "FP." If the print is worn, check the owner's manual for the exact layout.
  4. Remove the relay — the fuel pump relay is typically a small black or gray cube with four to five blade terminals. Use the relay puller tool (often fitted inside the fuse box) or a pair of needle-nose pliers to gently pull it straight out.

Important note: some sources point to a "fuel system control module relay" which on the 2011 Traverse is located on the passenger side of the engine. However, for the 2010 model, the main fuel pump relay you'll need to test for starting issues is the one inside the under-hood box on the driver's side.

Testing the Relay: Three Methods

You don't need a mechanic's toolbox crammed with specialized gear to verify whether the relay is the culprit. Below are two straightforward methods anyone can handle in the driveway safe.

Method 1: Swap Test

  1. Find a relay of the same type and rating — the fuse box typically contains several 40-amp relays for other systems (fog lights, horn, etc.). Compare the part numbers or look at the diagram; they must match.
  2. Pull the suspect relay and replace it with the known-good one.
  3. Turn the key to the ON position and listen for the fuel pump prime hum near the rear of the car. If you skip, the pump turns on, your relay was the problem.
  4. If the engine starts, replace the old relay permanently with a new part from an auto parts store or dealership.

Method 2: Use a Multimeter (for Electrical Testing)

  1. Set your digital multimeter to measure resistance (ohms).
  2. Inspect the relay terminals — there should be two heavier-gauge pins (for the pump power circuit) and two smaller pins (for the coil circuit).
  3. Check for continuity between the heavy pins — with the relay unenergized, there should be no continuity. This is the normally open circuit.
  4. Apply 12V to the coil terminals — use two jumper wires from a battery. You should hear an audible click as the internal contact closes.
  5. Recheck continuity — with power applied, the heavy pins should now show continuity (near zero ohms). If it doesn't click, or if continuity doesn't change, the relay is also dead.

Beyond the Relay: What Else to Check

If you've confirmed the relay works but the pump still misses, don't jump straight to replacement. There are a few other failure points that are equally common — and much cheaper to fix.

1. The Fuel Pump Connector (Left Side Under the Driver's Seat)

This is a known trouble spot for the Traverse platform. A partially separated or unseated connector under the driver's seat can cause hard starts, no starts, or erratic fuel gauge readings.

  • Locate the connector by lifting the driver's seat or removing the access panel.
  • Push it firmly until it clicks into place.
  • Inspect terminals sleeves for corrosion; one or two clean or replace if needed.

2. The Fuel Pump Fuse

Before you pull the relay, locate the fuel pump fuse in the same under-hood box. Use a test light or ohmmeter to confirm it hasn't blown. A shorted pump can also trip the fuse, so assume it's bad if it's melted.

3. The High-Pressure Fuel Pump

The 2010 Traverse actually has two fuel pumps: a low-pressure pump inside the tank and a high-pressure pump mounted to the rear of the engine (below the throttle body). The high-pressure pump is driven by a camshaft and can deliver up to 1500 PSI in the fuel rail. If the low-pressure pump and relay are fine, the high-pressure pump or its associated control module could still fail.

4. Fuel Pressure Test

To confirm the pump itself is delivering fuel, attach a fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve on the fuel rail. A 2010 Traverse in good working order should produce somewhere between 40 and 60 PSI with the ignition on cranking or at idling. If the pressure reads near zero, the problem is in the pump, not the relay — though it's still a lever to the relay.

The 2010 Traverse's Two-Pump System: A Quick Overview

First-time owners are often surprised to learn they have two separate fuel pump assemblies. The first is the in-tank pump sending fuel from the tank toward the engine. The second, high-pressure pump sits on the side of the engine, near the throttle area. That second pump helps the engine direct-injection system reach the necessary fuel pressure, and it runs off the camshaft — not the relay you're looking for.

If you're thinking about replacement, keep in mind it's not a backyard project:

  • The in-tank pump requires dropping the fuel tank or opening a service panel.
  • The cost to have a professional replace it runs between $1,107 and $1,546 (parts: $900–$1,285, labor: $207–$261).
  • The relay itself, however, is a cheap aftermarket part — usually under $25.

KEMSO Fuel Pumps: A Smart Investment Down the Line

If you eventually confirm that the fuel pump itself — not the relay — has failed, do not settle for an expensive OEM replacement or a cheap knockoff. KEMSO makes high-performance, direct OEM replacement fuel pumps that fit a wide range of vehicles, from the Honda Civic Del Sol to the BMW R1200GS, the Kawasaki Jet Ski, and many more.

Every KEMSO fuel pump delivers up to 340 liters per hour (at 43 psi), supports gasoline and E85, and comes with a lifetime warranty for the full range. If you are sticking with an original OEM pump or upgrading for performance, KEMSO's products are engineered with precision tolerances — you they're designed to meet or exceed the original parts. You only buy it once, and they’ll never have to worry about replacing it again.

Browse the full lineup at https://www.kemsoracing.com/ and find the exact pump for your vehicle. Their fuel pump options are straightforward, fairly distributed at $79. 98 for most cars and trucks in the catalog. Check their blog for helpful grid guidance on fuel system issues across various makes and models, including full cost breakdowns and step-by-step repair tips that align with what we discussed.

How Long Can You Delay an Ignition?

The quickest route to get back on the road:

  • Hear your relay – confirm it’s clicking or swap it with the same type to start the pump.
  • Check the connector under the driver's seat – it's the easiest free fix.
  • Test fuel pressure – use a gauge on the fuel rail to get a definitive reading on the pump condition.
  • If the pump is dead, visit KEMSO at KEMSO racing.com for a high-quality replacement pump with a lifetime warranty. All the costs involved are a fraction of dealer pricing.

Getting this part right saves you time, avoids the risk of lift, and keeps your Traverse running reliably for many miles. With this guide in hand, you know exactly when to start, where to look, and what to do when something goes wrong — without tearing into the vehicle without answers.

Check the fuse box first, because sometimes a ten-minute fix beats a $1,200 repair. If it comes down to the pump, choose the performance you’ll never replace again — choose the KEMSO Fuel Pump at https://www.kemsoracing.com/ .


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