Hi, My 1996 Escort Cosworth has been garaged for the past few years and I start her often. The last time I went to start it, it fired momentarily, then that was it. The fuel gauge read empty, so I assumed it was dry, so put £20 in it, still wouldnt start. Took fuel rail off, tried again, nothing coming out at all.

Strange thing is, when you look at the fuel gauge (no key in ignition) its on the red bar, but when you turn the key to "ignition lights on" the gauge goes backwards, ie lower - more empty.

I am stumped, all I have to go on is there was a mouse under the bonnet that ate through the batter strap, needless to say its without it head now. So it makes me think "sender unit, Pump, same location?, wires eaten.

The inertia switch is ok, cant locate the Fuel pump relay, if anyone knows, and how to test.
Maybe the alarm, that has a Fuel immobilizer, but why the strange sender unit behavior.

As the car is chipped I am thinking of removing the tank and changing the pump anyway, for a better one, that way I can at least check the wiring to the Unit, as hard to find them above.

Has anyone got any ideas, why two things next to each other have F Up

Thanks in advance

Mark