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

The 2016 Nissan Sentra fuel pump relay is located in the engine bay fuse and relay box, also called the IPDM (Intelligent Power Distribution Module), mounted on the driver's side of the engine compartment next to the battery. Inside that black box, the fuel pump relay is one of the plug-in relays in the relay block. If your Sentra won't start, the engine cranks but doesn't fire, or you can't hear the fuel pump hum when you turn the key to the "ON" position, this relay is one of the first things you should check. It is a low-cost part, it takes only a few minutes to reach, and it is a very common cause of no-start complaints on this model.

Below you will find the exact location, how to identify the right relay, how to test it, what symptoms a bad relay causes, and what to do if the relay is fine but the pump still doesn't run.

1. Where the Fuel Pump Relay Is on a 2016 Nissan Sentra

Open the hood and look at the driver's side of the engine compartment. You will see a black plastic box near the battery and the strut tower. That is the IPDM, or Intelligent Power Distribution Module. It contains fuses and several relays that control the engine, the cooling fan, the horn, the headlights, and the fuel pump.

Quick facts about the location:

  • Box name: IPDM E/R (engine room) fuse and relay box
  • Side of the car: Driver's side, United States models (left-hand drive)
  • Nearby parts: Next to the 12-volt battery and the air intake duct
  • How it opens: Release the two locking tabs on the cover and lift the lid straight up
  • Inside the lid: There is a small diagram or label that shows the fuse layout and relay positions

In the 2016 Sentra, the fuel pump relay is not in the cabin fuse panel under the dashboard. It lives only in the under-hood IPDM. Some older Nissans used a separate fuel pump relay near the pump access panel or in the trunk, but the 2016 Sentra uses the IPDM to control pump power through a control circuit, so the relay you need is under the hood.

2. How to Identify the Correct Relay Inside the Box

The IPDM holds several relays that look alike. They are small black or gray cubes with four or five pins. Pulling the wrong one will only waste your time.

How to find the right one:

  1. Read the lid diagram. Flip the IPDM cover over. The underside has a printed map showing each relay by name and number.
  2. Look for "FUEL PUMP" or "F/PUMP." Nissan prints the relay function on the map. The label is usually short, such as "FUEL PUMP" or "F PUMP."
  3. Match the shape. Most of these relays are the same physical size, so do not rely on size alone. Rely on the label and the pin count.
  4. Use the owner's manual. The fuse and relay section at the back of the manual confirms the exact position for your trim level.
  5. Check the part number. The relay body often has a part number stamped on the top, such as a standard 4-pin or 5-pin Nissan relay. Match it against the number in the manual.

A safe way to confirm you have the right relay: With the key turned to "ON" but the engine not started, have a helper listen near the rear seat or fuel tank. When the correct relay is pulled, the fuel pump will not prime. When it is pushed back in, you should hear a short humming sound from the tank area for about one to two seconds.

3. Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump Relay

A failing relay does not always fail completely. It can work when cold and fail when hot, which makes the problem confusing.

Common signs of a faulty relay:

  • Engine cranks but will not start. The starter turns the engine over normally, but there is no fuel delivery.
  • No humming sound from the tank. When you turn the key to "ON," a working pump makes a faint hum for a second or two.
  • Car starts only after several tries. Heat inside the box can open a worn internal contact, then it closes again once it cools.
  • Stalling while driving. A relay that loses contact for a moment will cut power to the pump and shut the engine down.
  • Intermittent no-start. The car works fine one day and refuses to start the next.
  • Burned or melted plastic smell near the IPDM. A relay that overheats can discolor the box around it.

If you notice these signs, do not assume the fuel pump itself is dead. A bad relay is a much cheaper fix, and replacing the pump without testing the relay first often leads to spending money on a part you did not need.

4. How to Test the Fuel Pump Relay

You do not need a full shop to test this relay. A simple swap test works well, and a multimeter gives you a clearer answer.

Swap test (easy method):

  1. Open the IPDM and locate the fuel pump relay.
  2. Find another relay in the same box with the same part number and pin layout, such as the horn relay or the cooling fan relay, that you know works.
  3. Swap the two relays.
  4. Turn the key to "ON" and listen for the pump.
  5. If the pump now runs, the original relay is bad. If the problem stays the same, the relay is likely fine and the issue is elsewhere.

Multimeter test (clear method):

  1. Pull the relay out of the box.
  2. Look at the small diagram printed on the side of the relay. It shows two coil pins and two or three contact pins.
  3. Set your meter to ohms. Place the leads on the two coil pins. You should see a reading, usually a low but non-zero number. No reading means the coil is open and the relay is bad.
  4. Apply 12 volts to the coil pins using fused jumper wires. You should hear a click.
  5. With power applied, check the contact pins for continuity. A good relay shows near zero ohms. A bad relay shows no continuity.
  6. If it fails any part of this test, replace the relay.

Extra check before replacing: With the relay removed, inspect the socket in the IPDM. Look for corrosion, pushed-out pins, or melted plastic. A damaged socket will kill the new relay too.

5. How to Replace the Fuel Pump Relay

Replacement takes only a few minutes.

  1. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
  2. Open the IPDM cover by pressing the locking tabs.
  3. Pull the old relay straight up. Do not rock it hard. Use your fingers or a small pick if it is tight.
  4. Push the new relay in until it seats fully. It should click into place.
  5. Close the box lid and make sure the tabs lock.
  6. Turn the key to "ON" and listen for the pump hum.
  7. Start the engine to confirm normal operation.

Use a relay with the same pin count and rating as the original. The 2016 Sentra uses a standard automotive relay, and most auto parts stores carry a direct replacement by application.

6. What to Check If the Relay Is Good

If the relay passes the test but the pump still does not run, move down the chain. The relay is only one part of the circuit.

Other parts to inspect:

  • Fuel pump fuse. Inside the same IPDM, check the fuse labeled for the fuel pump. A blown fuse means a short somewhere downstream.
  • Wiring and connectors. Look at the harness near the tank and along the frame for damage, especially on older or high-mileage cars.
  • Fuel pump itself. The pump motor can wear out. A shop can check pump current draw and fuel pressure.
  • Ground connections. A poor ground at the tank or frame will stop the pump even with good power.
  • Ignition switch or ECM signal. The IPDM receives a signal to turn the relay on. If that signal is missing, the relay never closes.
  • Crankshaft or camshaft sensor. On some Nissans, a missing sensor signal prevents the ECM from commanding the pump relay.

Testing in this order saves time. The relay and the fuse are free to check. The pump is not.

7. Why the Location Matters for Real Repairs

Knowing that the relay sits in the IPDM under the hood helps in two real situations. First, if your car will not start in a parking lot, you can pop the hood, swap the relay with the horn relay, and possibly drive home. Second, when a shop tells you that you need a complete fuel pump, you can ask whether they confirmed power at the pump and tested the relay first. Many pumps get replaced when the real fault was a twenty-dollar relay.

The 2016 Sentra is a compact car with a straightforward layout. Nissan placed the IPDM within easy reach, so this is a job most owners can handle in the driveway with basic tools.

8. Recommended Fuel Pump: KEMSO Fuel Pumps

If testing shows that the relay is fine and the pump itself has failed, you need a replacement you can trust. We recommend buying a KEMSO fuel pump. KEMSO fuel pumps are built as high-performance OEM replacement parts. They are designed to match or exceed the original equipment specification for flow, pressure, and fit, so installation is direct and the pump works with the factory wiring and fuel lines.

Every KEMSO fuel pump comes with a lifetime warranty. That warranty covers the part for as long as you own the vehicle, which removes the risk of buying a pump that fails early. KEMSO builds its pumps for drivers who want steady fuel delivery, quiet operation, and long service life, whether the car is a daily commuter or sees harder use.

To see the full range and order the correct pump for your 2016 Nissan Sentra, visit: https://www.kemsoracing.com/

9. Final Reminder

The 2016 Nissan Sentra fuel pump relay is in the under-hood IPDM on the driver's side, next to the battery. Check it first when the engine cranks but will not start. Test it with a swap or a multimeter before you buy a pump. If the pump is the real problem, choose a KEMSO fuel pump for high-performance OEM replacement quality and a lifetime warranty.

For the full selection of KEMSO fuel pumps and parts, go to: https://www.kemsoracing.com/


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