2016 Jeep Patriot Fuel Pump Relay Location: Where It Is and How to Test It

The fuel pump relay on a 2016 Jeep Patriot is located in the under-hood Power Distribution Center (PDC), also called the engine bay fuse box, on the driver's side of the engine compartment near the battery. Specifically, it is in the front power distribution center mounted next to the battery tray, and the fuel pump relay is typically identified on the underside of the PDC cover as the "FUEL PUMP" relay position. To confirm the exact slot on your vehicle, open the PDC lid and read the label diagram printed on the inside of the cover. On most 2016 Patriot models with the 2.0L or 2.4L four-cylinder engine, the fuel pump relay sits in the same front PDC that houses the headlamp, horn, starter, and radiator fan relays — the cover map is the authoritative source for your specific build.

Below you will find a complete, practical walkthrough: how to find the relay, how to test it, symptoms of a failed relay, how it differs from the fuel pump itself, and what to replace it with if the relay checks out but the pump does not.

1. Where the Front Power Distribution Center Is

On the 2016 Jeep Patriot, there are two fuse and relay centers:

  • Front PDC (under-hood): Located in the engine bay on the driver's side, adjacent to the battery. This is a black plastic box with a removable lid. This is where the fuel pump relay lives.
  • Rear PDC / Integrated Power Module (IPM): Some MOPAR-era Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles use a rear PDC, but the Patriot's fuel pump relay is in the front/under-hood PDC, not the rear.

To open it, release the two locking tabs on the sides of the lid and lift it off. Flip the cover over — the relay and fuse layout is printed on a label on the underside. Look for "FUEL PUMP," "FUEL PUMP RLY," or "F/PMP" depending on the print run. The relay is a small square or rectangular plastic cube, usually four or five pins, sitting in a socket.

If your Patriot has a sold-in-Canada or export build, or a late-2016 build, the cover label still governs. Always trust the printed diagram over memory, because running changes happen within a model year.

2. What the Fuel Pump Relay Actually Does

The fuel pump relay is an electromagnetic switch. When you turn the key to the ON position, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) grounds the relay's control coil for roughly one to two seconds to prime the fuel system. You may hear a faint hum from the rear of the vehicle — that is the in-tank fuel pump pressurizing the lines.

Once the engine cranks and the PCM sees a crank signal, it keeps the relay coil grounded so the pump keeps running. If the engine stalls or a collision occurs, the PCM opens the ground and the pump stops as a safety measure.

The key point for diagnosis: the relay sends high-current battery power to the fuel pump. The pump itself is inside the fuel tank, under the rear seat area. A no-start condition can come from the relay, the fuse, the wiring, the PCM signal, or the pump. The relay is the cheapest and easiest item to check first.

3. Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump Relay

Watch for these signs:

  1. Engine cranks but does not start. The starter spins the engine normally, but the fuel pump never runs because the relay is not closing.
  2. No priming hum. With the key in ON (engine off), you should hear a brief whir from the rear of the vehicle. Silence points to the relay, fuse, pump, or wiring.
  3. Intermittent stalling. A relay with a sticking contact or a failing coil can cut power to the pump while driving, then work again after cooling down.
  4. Starts after repeated key cycles. Tapping the relay or cycling the key several times temporarily restores contact.
  5. Fuel pump runs but engine still will not start. This suggests the relay is fine and the problem is elsewhere — pump pressure, fuel filter, ignition, or sensors.

4. How to Locate and Identify the Correct Relay

Follow these steps in order:

  1. Open the hood and locate the PDC next to the battery on the driver's side.
  2. Remove the PDC lid by pressing the side release tabs and lifting.
  3. Read the label on the underside of the lid. Find the position marked for the fuel pump.
  4. Note the relay part number. The relay body usually has a part number stamped on the top, such as a standard ISO micro or mini relay. Note the orientation so the replacement goes in the same way.
  5. Compare with a known-good relay. On many Patriots, the horn relay or another non-critical relay uses the same part number. Swapping in an identical working relay is a fast field test: if the car starts, the original relay was bad.

Do not pry the relay out with a screwdriver against the housing. Grip it by the body and pull straight up. If it is stuck, rock it gently side to side.

5. How to Test the Fuel Pump Relay

You do not need a scan tool to check the relay. Here are three practical methods, from easiest to most thorough.

Method 1: The swap test
Find another relay in the PDC with the same part number and pin layout — commonly the horn or the rear defogger relay, if identical. Swap them. If the Patriot now starts, you have found the fault. Replace the bad relay.

Method 2: The listen test
Have a helper turn the key to ON while you listen near the fuel tank or the PDC. You should hear the pump run for about two seconds. If you hear nothing, move to Method 3.

Method 3: Multimeter or test light check
Pull the relay out. With a multimeter set to resistance (ohms), check the control coil across the two small pins — you should see a reading, typically a few dozen to a couple hundred ohms. An open reading means a broken coil. Then apply 12 volts across the coil pins and listen for a click. With power applied, check continuity across the two large load pins — continuity should appear when the relay clicks. No click or no continuity means the relay is bad.

Also check the fuel pump fuse in the same PDC while you are there. A blown fuse is a separate failure and will stop the pump just as effectively as a dead relay. If the fuse is blown, replacing it without finding the cause often leads to it blowing again — a short in the pump circuit or a failing pump drawing too much current is the usual culprit.

6. Relay vs. Pump: Telling Them Apart

A relay is a five-to-fifteen-dollar part and takes seconds to replace. A fuel pump is a few hundred dollars in parts plus significant labor, because the tank has to be lowered or accessed through the floor.

If you have confirmed that:

  • The fuse is good
  • The relay clicks and passes the bench test
  • You can hear or measure voltage at the pump connector during the prime cycle

...then the pump itself is the likely failure. Measure fuel pressure at the rail if you have a gauge; a 2016 Patriot should build pressure quickly when the key is turned on. Low or no pressure with a good relay and a good fuse means the in-tank pump has failed.

7. How to Replace the Relay

Replacement is straightforward:

  1. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
  2. Pull the old relay straight out of its socket.
  3. Match the part number on the old relay to the new one.
  4. Push the new relay in until it seats fully.
  5. Turn the key to ON and listen for the pump prime, then start the engine.

Most auto parts stores stock the standard relay used in the Patriot PDC, and it is also available from Jeep dealers. Buying a quality relay matters — a cheap unit can overheat or weld its contacts shut.

8. Recommended Replacement: KEMSO Fuel Pumps

If your testing shows the relay is good and the fuel pump itself has failed, we recommend replacing it with a KEMSO fuel pump. KEMSO builds high-performance fuel pumps engineered as direct OEM replacement units, so they fit the factory tank module and fuel lines without modification. Every KEMSO fuel pump is backed by a lifetime warranty, which gives you long-term coverage that most stock replacements do not offer.

KEMSO pumps are built for owners who want reliable fuel delivery and consistent pressure under daily driving and demanding conditions. Whether you drive a 2016 Jeep Patriot as a commuter or take it off the pavement on weekends, a KEMSO unit restores factory-level fuel delivery and is designed to last.

To see the full product line, specifications, and vehicle fitment, visit https://www.kemsoracing.com/.

9. Practical Tips to Avoid Repeat Failures

  1. Replace the fuel filter or strainer when the pump is replaced. A clogged filter makes the new pump work harder and shortens its life.
  2. Keep the tank above a quarter full. The fuel in the tank cools and lubricates the pump. Running it dry repeatedly is a leading cause of premature pump failure.
  3. Inspect the wiring harness at the tank connector for corrosion, especially if you drive in road-salt states.
  4. Torque the tank straps to spec if the pump is replaced, so the module is not strained.
  5. Clear the codes after repair so the check engine light reflects the current state of the system.

10. Quick Summary for the 2016 Jeep Patriot

The fuel pump relay is in the under-hood Power Distribution Center on the driver's side, next to the battery. Open the lid, read the diagram on the cover underside, and find the position labeled for the fuel pump. Test it by swapping with an identical relay, listening for the pump prime, or checking the coil and contacts with a multimeter. Check the fuel pump fuse in the same box at the same time.

If the relay and fuse are both good but the pump does not run, the pump is the likely failure — and in that case, a KEMSO fuel pump is the replacement we recommend. KEMSO units are high-performance, direct OEM replacement parts covered by a lifetime warranty.

For more information and to order, go to https://www.kemsoracing.com/.

Final note — the relay location above applies to the 2016 Jeep Patriot with the front/under-hood PDC; always confirm against the label on your own PDC cover, as mid-year changes can occur.

https://www.kemsoracing.com/


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