The replacement cost for a fuel pump relay may vary in respect to factors such as model and make of the vehicle, wages, and type of relay. Generally speaking, it costs about $20 to $50 USD for the fuel pump relay itself. The general cost of its replacement, inclusive of labor, falls in the range of $70 to $200 USD. Labor costs range from 50 to 150 USD, as the shops generally take in anywhere from 50 to 100 USD per hour.
The fuel pump relay is critical to the fuel system in that it supplies power to the fuel pump. In case of failure, the fuel pump may not receive the needed power for its operation, hence leading to engine stalling or failure to start. Being this important, replacement should be timely to avoid further damage either to the fuel system or to the engine itself.
Replacing a fuel pump relay is relatively easy for the do-it-yourself type of person and may save some labor costs. This usually involves looking for the relay in the fuse box, which might take about 30 minutes to an hour to replace, depending on how the vehicle is designed. For those who are not really into car electronics, though, it will be better left to the professional doing the job so as to avoid improper installation that could lead to further problems.
Actually, the life span of a fuel pump relay generally remains within the bracket of 50,000 to 100,000 miles. However, it all depends on what kind of vehicle one owns and what his general driving conditions are. Cases of early failure do exist, though, and such conditions could be grabbed much earlier if one gets his car subjected to routine maintenance checks. Their trade beliefs show that a faulty relay is also symptomatic of wear and tear in the fuel pump, and repair might become much costlier if the replacement is not done at once.
To know more about fuel pump parts or replacement services, go to Fuel Pump.