Fuel Pump Relay Repair (TIPM-7)

TIPM repairs are a permanent fix that will solve fuel pump relay problems without the high cost of a new TIPM ($1500+), the cutting of TIPM wires with an external relay, or any reprogramming by your dealer. If your dealer tells you TIPMs can't be repaired, they are likely trying to force you to buy a new TIPM.

Applicable Vehicles 

Fuel pump relay repairs can be performed on any of the following vehicles containing a TIPM-7 fuse box shown to the right:

• 2008-2016 Chrysler Town and Country
• 2011-2013 Dodge Durango
• 2008-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan
• 2009-2010 Dodge Journey
• 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro
• 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2007-2012 Jeep Liberty
• 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler
• 2014 Lancia Voyager
• 2011-2012 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500
• 2012-2014 Ram C/V
• 2009-2014 VW Routan
• 2011 VW Touareg

All repairs carry a one year warranty and are normally performed within 24 hours by an engineer.  After the repair, we'll ship your TIPM back to you Monday through Friday. Feel free to contact us via email or telephone with any questions you may have.  If you would prefer to pay after the repair is performed, please make sure you include your contact information, email address, telephone number, vehicle year/make/model, and a description of the problem inside the box and we'll contact you for payment after the repair is complete.

What You Receive

1. Inspection and testing of faulty fuel pump relay to confirm the problem, including a detailed report of our findings.
2. Replacement of faulty fuel pump relay with a new relay used on all repairs since August 2014. This new relay is the most current version from the same manufacturer (NEC/Tokin) with an identical footprint and operating characteristics. We feel that installing the same problematic relay will only result in future problems.
3. Testing of new fuel pump relay by applying 12 VDC to the coil and checking for continuity as far downstream as permitted
4. Visual inspection of all fuses (mini-blade and cartridge) and electrical testing of all rectangular gray plug-in relays using our relay tester. Approximately 1 in 7 TIPMs sent to our shop contain blown fuses.
5. Price includes a one year repair warranty.
6. All repairs will be performed by an engineer.
7. Your TIPM will normally be repaired and shipped within 24 hours. If your TIPM is received on a Wednesday, it will be normally be repaired and ship on Thursday.
8. Photographs of the repaired TIPM and a detailed analysis of your TIPM/relay will be provided via email, upon request.
9. Telephone and email support if you have any questions removing or installing your TIPM.

Where To Send Your TIPM

Please ship your TIPM to us at the following address:

Vertical Visions, 525 Parkland Road, Eldersburg, MD 21784 USA.  Phone: 304-933-9391

Further Details

You'll need to remove the TIPM from your vehicle using the instructions below and ship it to us via any common carrier (12"x12"x8" boxes and bigger work best). It doesn't take much time (15-20 minutes) or skill to remove the TIPM and we can help you through the process (or you can hire a mechanic). Once received, we'll disassemble your TIPM and replace the affected fuel pump relay with a new relay.  Our total repair time with new and old relay testing is normally 3 hours with all soldering and inspections performed under a microscope. Once you receive the repaired TIPM, you need only reinstall it in your vehicle and turn your key to the RUN position for 12 seconds. No reprogramming or any dealer involvement is necessary since we are simply desoldering the faulty relay and soldering a new relay on the circuit board. If your dealer suggests otherwise, they are misinformed and/or simply trying to sell you a $1000+ TIPM. Additional details and instructions will be sent to you once payment is received. This is a permanent fix with the installation of a new relay. We highly suggest you call or email us with any questions or concerns you may have.  

How To Remove Your TIPM

1. Removal should take 15-30 minutes.
2. Confirm that your TIPM is from one of the applicable vehicles listed above, your fuel pump relay is indeed faulty, and you don't have an external fuel pump relay modification (normally performed on 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles by the dealer to bypass a faulty fuel pump relay). Call or email us first for TIPM repairs on vehicles not listed above.
3. Locate your car battery and remove the negative (black) terminal. Some batteries are located under the passenger seat. This will prevent any accidental electrical shorts that may occur as you remove the positive (red) terminal from your TIPM.
4. Locate the TIPM under the hood of your vehicle.
5. Do not remove any fuses, relays, or other devices.
6. Remove the positive (red) battery connection in the upper corner of your TIPM. You'll need an open end wrench or socket to remove a single hex nut.
7. Release the four plastic retention clips that secure the TIPM to the vehicle and lift the TIPM upward slightly.
8. Unplug all seven cable harness connections to the TIPM. Each connector can be released by pushing a center release latch and rotating the locking arm, All connectors are color coded and keyed, so there is no need to remember or mark their locations.
9. Remove the TIPM from your vehicle.
10. Please keep the TIPM lid attached during your shipment to us. If you have already disassembled the TIPM and only need relays replaced, contact us for a discount on the price.
11. Purchase the TIPM Fuel Pump Relay Repair Service above. Additional instructions and a ship to address will be provided to you via the email address provided to us. If you'd prefer to pay after the repair is performed, please make sure you include contact information, email address, vehicle year/make/model, and a description of the problem. For the fastest service, payment prior to sending your TIPM is suggested.

Shipping Your TIPM to Us

1. Carefully wrap your TIPM in a plastic bag and bubble wrap, then place it in a cardboard box. We normally use 12"x12"x8" boxes from USPS.
2. Ship your TIPM to us at the above address. USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, or any reputable shipping company is recommended.
3. Please provide your shipment tracking number to us, if available, so we'll know when to expect your shipment.
4. When we receive your TIPM, we'll send an email to let you know when your repair work will begin.
5. After your TIPM has been repaired, we'll email you again with the results, optional photos of your new relay, and a repair checklist.
6. Please be aware that our repair service normally involves replacement of the fuel pump relay along with other related services as needed (trace repair, etc.). Additional relays can be replaced, such as those for problematic windshield wipers or door locks for a small additional charge.  We do not recommend replacing any relays that are not currently problematic.
7. Our repair service is normally performed within 24 hours and shipped back to you via USPS or FedEx. We'll provide tracking information to you at the time of shipment.
8. Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.

TIPM Repair Process

Our detailed process begins by photographing the entire TIPM, including the fuse layout. We utilize a two-page system checklist that facilitates an accurate and thorough repair. We then remove and check all mini-blade and cartridge fuses.  We find blown fuses in approximately 1 in 7 repairs. Relays and other devices near the fuses are removed and set aside. The TIPM enclosure is disassembled and all six circuit boards are slowly removed, providing access to both sides of your relay(s).  At this point, your TIPM will look similar to the disassembled TIPM shown below. The affected relay(s) are tested by applying 12VDC to the coil while measuring continuity and coil resistance. All resistance values and findings are logged in our system checklist. Most continuity checks are performed using locations as far downstream as possible.

Once we've determined that your relay is faulty, we'll desolder it from the circuit board and inspect it via microscope. The new relay will be tested and soldered to the circuit board under a microscope, then tested again.  All six circuit boards are reinstalled into the TIPM enclosure and all fuses and plug-in relays are inserted. All faulty relays removed from the circuit board will be sent back to the customer.

If we find that your relay is not faulty, we will continue with relay replacement(s) since they sometimes fail intermittently and the majority of our repair work involves disassembling the TIPM in preparation for testing. In this situation, if you find that the relay wasn't the real problem and your vehicle still has issues, we'll work with you to provide a fix or offer some financial relief through a partial refund.

Items We Can't Repair

Please be aware that our TIPM relay repair service focuses on relay replacements to solve problems with your fuel pump, front/rear wipers, front/rear washer, horn, backup lights, and door locks. We can also perform minor repairs such as damaged traces and loose connector pins. Do not send us your TIPM and expect problems beyond the above items to be solved. TIPMs are complex and some problems are due to issues outside the TIPM.  A fuel pump relay repair will never solve problems with your headlights or air conditioning, nor will our repair cause problems like this to suddenly appear. If you are experiencing issues with your check engine light, headlights, warning symbols, windows, air conditioning, radio, a failure for the starter to attempt to rotate the flywheel, or similar problems, please visit our Library of Information.  Alternately, we often suggest that you look into purchasing a new or used TIPM if you are unable to solve the problem.

Our Guarantee

All TIPM repairs come with a one year warranty. If you continue to have problems with any relays that were replaced within the warranty period, we will make things right by repairing and shipping your TIPM both ways to identify the problem or refund your money.  

If Your TIPM Relays Aren't Faulty

If we find no problems or defects with your relays, we normally contact you to share our findings and decide how to proceed.  At this point, a $95 diagnostic fee is the only fee that will be required if you would like all work to stop.  We don't want you to incur the full cost of the repair if your problem isn't resolved.

How To Fix Your Own

For those who possess advanced soldering and electrical skills, it may be possible to repair your own. If you're up for a challenge, you'll need to purchase a new NEC/Tokin #EX1-2U1S relay and replace the existing faulty NEC/Tokin #EX1-1F1J relay. The only difference in the replacement relay linked above is the lack of a vent hole in the enclosure and a small change in coil resistance. This is the relay we have used since August 2014 for hundreds of repairs. You'll need soldering skills, a microscope, and several hours to carefully disassemble the TIPM. Be sure to take a photo of your fuse layout before disassembly. Keep in mind this TIPM is not meant to be serviced by your dealer and it contains multiple circuit boards, so you'll risk damaging it if you can't figure out how it comes apart.