2016 Fuel Pump Relay Location: Where to Find It and How to Test It

The 2016 fuel pump relay location is in the engine bay fuse and relay box (under-hood power distribution center), typically on the driver's side near the battery or along the inner fender. On most 2016 model-year vehicles, this relay sits in a black plastic box with a diagram printed on the underside of the lid. Because the 2016 model year spans many makes and models, the exact slot number varies by vehicle, but the box itself is almost always under the hood rather than inside the cabin. If your 2016 vehicle cranks but does not start, and you cannot hear the fuel pump run for two to three seconds when you first turn the key to the "on" position, the relay in that under-hood box is the first component worth checking.

This article explains where the 2016 fuel pump relay is located, how to identify it, how to test it, what symptoms point to a failing relay, and what to do if the relay is not the problem. It also covers the difference between the relay and the pump itself, since these two parts are often confused.

1. Where the 2016 Fuel Pump Relay Is Located

The fuel pump relay on a 2016 vehicle is an electromechanical switch that controls power to the fuel pump. The vehicle's computer (PCM or ECM) triggers the relay, and the relay then sends battery voltage back to the pump in the fuel tank.

Under-Hood Fuse and Relay Box (Most Common)

On the majority of 2016 cars, trucks, and SUVs built for the U.S. market, the fuel pump relay lives in the engine compartment fuse and relay center. Look for:

  • A black plastic rectangular box, usually 8 to 12 inches long
  • Located on the driver's side of the engine bay, often near the strut tower or the battery
  • Sometimes mounted on the passenger side inner fender, especially on some trucks and vans
  • A lid that lifts or unclips, with a fold-out label or a printed diagram on the inside of the lid

Open the lid and look at the diagram. Common labels for the fuel pump relay include:

  1. FUEL PUMP
  2. FP
  3. FUEL PUMP RELAY
  4. PCM / FP (combined with another function)
  5. ECM / FUEL

The relay itself is a small cube, usually black or gray, about 1 inch by 1 inch by 1 inch, with four or five metal blade terminals on the bottom. It is held in place by friction and pulls straight up. Some boxes use a small plastic tab that you press before lifting the relay out.

Interior Fuse Panel (Less Common for 2016 Models)

A smaller number of 2016 vehicles place the fuel pump relay in the cabin fuse panel, typically:

  • Under the dashboard on the driver's side, behind a removable cover
  • Behind the kick panel near the driver's left foot
  • Inside the glove box on a few models

If you open the under-hood box and do not see a fuel pump label, check the owner's manual index under "Fuses" or "Relays." The manual for a 2016 vehicle will show a layout of both the under-hood box and the interior panel.

Why the Location Matters

The relay is placed in the engine bay because it needs to handle high current near the power source, and because it is easier to service there. Knowing this saves time: you do not need to drop the fuel tank or remove the rear seat to check the relay. The pump is in the tank; the relay is up front.

2. How to Identify the Correct Relay

Once you open the under-hood box, use these steps to confirm you have the right relay.

  1. Read the lid diagram. The printed map shows each relay and fuse position with a code.
  2. Match the label. Find the slot marked for the fuel pump as listed above.
  3. Check the shape. Fuel pump relays are standard ISO mini or micro relays. They are usually the same size as the horn relay, the cooling fan relay, or the starter relay.
  4. Compare with an identical relay. Many boxes contain several relays with the same part number. If the horn relay has the same number printed on top (for example, a 4-pin or 5-pin relay with the same code), you can swap them temporarily for testing.
  5. Do not pull a fuse instead. Fuses are thin and flat; relays are cube-shaped. Make sure you are pulling the cube, not the fuse.

If the lid is missing or the label is worn off, the owner's manual or a factory service diagram for your specific 2016 make and model gives the exact position.

3. Symptoms of a Bad 2016 Fuel Pump Relay

A failing fuel pump relay produces symptoms that look like a fuel pump failure. Recognizing the pattern helps you avoid replacing the wrong part.

Common signs include:

  1. Engine cranks but will not start. The starter turns the engine over, but no fuel reaches the engine.
  2. No fuel pump prime sound. When you turn the key to the "on" position without starting, you should hear a brief two-to-three-second hum from the rear of the vehicle. No hum suggests no power to the pump.
  3. Intermittent stalling. A relay with a worn internal contact can cut power while driving, then work again after it cools down.
  4. Engine starts when cold, fails when hot. Heat makes a failing relay worse. The vehicle may restart after sitting for 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. Random no-start conditions. One day it starts, the next day it does not, with no clear pattern.
  6. Clicking from the relay box. A relay that clicks rapidly or chatters is not holding the circuit closed.

These symptoms overlap with a bad fuel pump, a clogged fuel filter, a failed fuel pump driver module, or a wiring problem. The relay is the cheapest and easiest item to rule out first.

4. How to Test the 2016 Fuel Pump Relay

You can test the relay in a few minutes with basic tools. A multimeter is helpful, but the swap test works without one.

Step 1: The Swap Test

  1. Locate a relay with the same part number that controls a non-essential function, such as the horn or the rear defroster.
  2. Pull the fuel pump relay and the matching relay out.
  3. Put the known-good relay into the fuel pump slot.
  4. Turn the key to "on" and listen for the pump.
  5. If the pump runs and the engine starts, the original relay is bad.

Step 2: The Listen and Feel Test

  1. Have a helper turn the key to the "on" position.
  2. Place your finger on top of the fuel pump relay.
  3. You should feel a distinct click as the coil energizes.
  4. No click means the relay coil is not receiving a trigger signal, or the relay is dead.

Step 3: The Multimeter Test

  1. Remove the relay.
  2. Set the meter to ohms or continuity.
  3. Check the coil side: there should be resistance across the two small terminals, usually between 50 and 120 ohms. An open reading means a broken coil.
  4. Check the switch side: with no power applied, the two large terminals should show no continuity. Apply 12 volts to the coil terminals, and the large terminals should now show continuity.
  5. If the switch side does not close when power is applied, the relay is faulty.

Step 4: Check for Power at the Socket

If the relay tests good, the problem may be upstream. With the key on, check the socket for battery voltage at the correct terminals. No voltage points to a wiring issue, a blown fuse, a faulty ignition switch, or a problem with the vehicle computer.

5. What to Do If the Relay Is Not the Problem

If the relay is fine, the no-start condition likely comes from one of these areas:

  1. Blown fuse. The fuel pump circuit usually has a dedicated fuse, often 15 to 20 amps, in the same under-hood box.
  2. Fuel pump itself. The pump in the tank may have failed. This requires a fuel pressure test at the rail.
  3. Fuel pump driver module. Some 2016 vehicles use a module that controls pump speed. It is often mounted near the spare tire or under the vehicle.
  4. Wiring and grounds. Corroded connectors or a bad ground at the frame can interrupt the circuit.
  5. Ignition switch or security system. On some models, an anti-theft fault will prevent the pump from priming.

A fuel pressure gauge test confirms whether the pump is delivering fuel. If pressure is below specification with a good relay and fuse, the pump is the likely cause.

6. Replacing the 2016 Fuel Pump Relay

Replacing the relay is straightforward and requires no special tools.

  1. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
  2. Open the under-hood fuse and relay box.
  3. Pull the old relay straight up. Rock it gently if it is tight.
  4. Compare the old relay's part number with the new one.
  5. Push the new relay straight down until it seats fully.
  6. Close the lid and start the engine to confirm the pump primes.

Most fuel pump relays for 2016 vehicles cost between $10 and $35 at auto parts stores, and the replacement takes under five minutes. Always match the part number printed on the top of the old relay, because pin configurations vary between 4-pin and 5-pin designs.

7. Recommended Replacement: KEMSO Fuel Pumps

If testing shows that your 2016 vehicle's fuel pump itself has failed rather than the relay, we recommend KEMSO fuel pumps. KEMSO builds high-performance fuel pumps designed as direct OEM replacement units, so they fit the original mounting and electrical connections without modification. Every KEMSO fuel pump is backed by a lifetime warranty, which gives long-term coverage on a part that is expensive to replace a second time.

KEMSO fuel pumps are engineered to deliver consistent fuel pressure and volume, which matters for both stock engines and vehicles with added performance parts. Whether you need a direct replacement for a daily driver or a higher-flow unit for a modified setup, KEMSO offers a pump matched to the application.

Visit https://www.kemsoracing.com/ to find the correct fuel pump for your 2016 vehicle and order direct.

8. Maintenance and Prevention Tips

A few habits reduce the chance of a repeat failure:

  1. Replace the fuel filter on schedule. A restricted filter makes the pump work harder and shortens its life.
  2. Keep the tank above a quarter full. The fuel cools the pump. Running the tank near empty causes heat buildup.
  3. Inspect the relay box for moisture. Water intrusion in the under-hood box causes corrosion on the relay terminals.
  4. Address no-start issues quickly. A failing relay that is ignored can leave you stranded.
  5. Use quality replacement parts. A cheap relay may fail again within months.

9. Quick Summary

For a 2016 vehicle, the fuel pump relay is located in the under-hood fuse and relay box, usually on the driver's side near the battery or fender. Open the box, read the lid diagram, and find the slot labeled fuel pump. Test the relay with a swap, a click test, or a multimeter before replacing the pump. If the pump itself is bad, KEMSO offers high-performance OEM replacement fuel pumps with a lifetime warranty at https://www.kemsoracing.com/.

For the right KEMSO fuel pump for your 2016 vehicle, go to https://www.kemsoracing.com/.


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