2001 Honda Civic Fuel Pump Relay Location: Step-by-Step Guide

The fuel pump relay in your 2001 Honda Civic is located inside the interior fuse box, mounted low on the driver's side dashboard near the door hinge. To access it, open the driver’s door, locate a rectangular plastic panel below and to the left of the steering wheel, and pull it straight toward you. The relay is typically inserted into one of the top row sockets labeled "FUEL PUMP" or bearing the Honda symbol for this component (a solid black square with a diagonal line and squiggles depicting fuel flow). This relay is crucial – when faulty, it prevents your Civic from starting by cutting power to the fuel pump.

Preparing to Access the Fuel Pump Relay

Before locating the relay, ensure safety and gather the right tools. Turn off the ignition and remove the key. Disconnect the negative terminal of your battery using a 10mm wrench to prevent electrical shorts – sparks near fuses could damage circuitry. Wear protective gloves if handling wires. Necessary tools include:

  • A flat-head screwdriver (for prying off fuse box covers without scratching plastic)
  • A flashlight for illuminating the dim under-dash area
  • Needle-nose pliers for gently extracting stubborn relays

Clear floor mats and obstructions near the driver’s footwell, giving space to crouch or kneel comfortably. Avoid pressing your head against wiring harnesses above the pedals. If kneeling, use a pad to protect your knees.

Detailed Steps to Find the Relay

  1. Open the driver's door fully – this provides critical clearance. Notice the rectangular kick panel (roughly 6" x 4") positioned vertically below the steering column where the dashboard meets the door frame.

  2. Remove the panel: Apply pressure to the panel's upper edge near the dashboard crease using your fingertips. Push inward slightly and pull straight toward the seat. If clipped tightly, insert a flat screwdriver wrapped in cloth to avoid marring plastic and gently pry outward. Never force it – broken tabs render the panel loose.

  3. Identify the fuse box: Once removed, you'll see a black plastic fuse box secured inside the cavity with clips. This houses about 12-16 relays/fuses facing toward the driver’s legs. The box may have a removable outer cover (some 2001 models omit this).

  4. Locate the fuel pump relay: Scan sockets for labels molded into the plastic. The fuel pump relay uses a socket designated "FUEL PUMP" or the Honda standard symbol resembling fuel flowing through a pipe. It occupies position #7 in the top row, near the right side (closest to the center console). Common incorrect spots include the under-hood fuse box – the fuel pump relay is exclusively inside the cabin.

  5. Identify by appearance: The relay is a small cube-shaped component measuring 1" x 1" with four metal prongs plugged into the socket. Most have a gray housing, though faded black or blue variants exist. Check for embossed markings: "GX" or "Honda 38502-S84-A01" indicates the standard part.

Testing and Replacing the Faulty Relay

Symptoms of a defective relay include the engine cranking but not starting, audible fuel pump whine missing at ignition ON, or intermittent stalling. Test it before replacing:

  • Swap test: Remove the horn relay (position #3) – identical shape and specs. Insert it into the fuel pump socket. Turn the key to ON without starting. If you now hear the fuel pump prime in the rear seat, the original relay is dead. Silence confirms another issue.

  • Visual inspection: Look for melted plastic, dark scorch marks around prongs, or corroded contacts inside the socket. Wiggle the relay gently while an assistant turns the ignition ON – humming sounds indicate loose or failing connections.

If replacement is needed:

  1. Grasp the relay body firmly between thumb and forefinger. Pull straight out with steady pressure. Don’t rock sideways.
  2. Insert the new relay aligning pins to socket holes. A click means fully seated. Auto parts stores stock replacements under part numbers 38502-S84-A01 or equivalent Standard Motor Works RY-126.
  3. Reinstall the kick panel by aligning its clips with dashboard slots and pressing until flush.
  4. Reconnect the battery and test.

Safety Tips and Troubleshooting

Avoid replacing the relay with generic parts not rated for 12V/20A continuous duty – subpar units overheat causing repeat failures. Aftermarket alarms or stereo wiring can tap into the fuel pump circuit; inspect for crimped/spliced wires leading to the fuse box which might overload it.

If the relay tests good but the pump won’t run:

  • Check fuse #11 (15A) in the interior fuse box, left-hand column. Blown? Trace shorts to the fuel pump or wiring.
  • Probe the socket terminals using a multimeter on 20V DC. With ignition ON, pin #2 should show 12V. No voltage indicates broken control wiring to the ECM.
  • Verify battery ground point G101 behind the driver’s headlight – corrosion here starves the relay coil.

Conclusion

Always prioritize this relay when diagnosing no-start conditions in your 2001 Civic. Once extracted, save the old relay – temporarily reinstalling it to limp home remains possible with a light tap to jar stuck contacts. For persistent electrical issues, reference Civic forum pinout diagrams mapping the relay’s switching logic: Pin #2 receives ECM command voltage, #3 powers the pump, #1 is fused battery feed, and #4 grounds. Proper relay function ensures fuel pressure builds instantly at every ignition cycle – critical for Honda’s reliable performance.

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