Fuel Cut Off Switch?

Question

i have a ford focus and theres a thing on my sun visor saying it is fitted with 1 or something like that, i had a look in my manual for the car and it just says were it is. but what exactly is it for? what exactly does it do? thanx

Answer 1

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The 'Fuel pump cut off switch' aka 'fuel inertia switch' is actually a reset button.
It is an extra safety feature which has been installed on Ford Motor vehicles for as long as I can remember.
It is not used (as far as i know) by other automobile manufacturers.

Since fuel pumps are usually INSIDE of the fuel tank, and fuel tanks are usually towards the rear of any vehicle , Ford has added this safety feature as a precaution.
In the event of moderate-to-severe REAR end impact, a fuel tank (or fuel lines) could rupture.
If the fuel pump continued to pump it could cause fuel to project through the rupture.
(I'm sure you can understand that this would be a 'bad' thing)

There are sensors in the rear of Ford vehicles (much like the sensors in the front of vehicles, that sense frontal impact & deploy airbags) that will sense rear impact & automatically shut off the fuel pump.

The switch is used to reset the fuel pump.

It works much like a circuit breaker in your home.
If you blow a circuit at home you go to the circuit-breaker box & flick the "red button" to the blown circuit to reset it.
Same concept here.
When the sensors shut off the fuel pump, you will need to reset/restart the fuel pump by pushing the reset button.

The reset buttons location is different for each vehicle (model) but on the Focus it located in the little recess in the kick panel in the passenger foot area.

For more information see the owners manual for your Focus. Look at the chapter called "Roadside Emergencies_Fuel pump shut off switch.

If You don't have an owners manual I can provide you with a Free digital one. Please feel free to e-mail me (via the link on my profile page) for the directions to download the manual.

I hope this clears up the confusion.
;-)

Source(s):

in the auto business since 1983

Answer 2

The switch should be in trunk and it is there incase of an accident the fuel pump can be shut off so it stops any leaking fuel.

Answer 3

If you have a crash even a minor one then your fuel pump will automatically shut off. It's a safety thing.To get it going again you just press the switch.

Answer 4

Should you be in an accident it's designed to shut the fuel pump down. I have seen where cars have hit potholes or the doors slammed too hard and they have shut off the pump!!!

Source(s):

20 yr Auto Tech

Answer 5

in case of a accident it will cuts off power to the fuel pump so it doesnt over head.

Answer 6

In case your car gets tilted at a certain degree, like 35degrees or something, it will cause the fuel to cut off. By hitting the switch, it will reset it and the car will run again. I had a friend have that happen to him when he drove down an embankment. It may also happen if the car gets towed.

Answer 7

I also have a Ford Focus and the answers posted earlier are correct about how it shuts down the fuel flow in the case of an accident, but on the focus the switch is on the pass. side down by your right foot!! Look closely at the kick panel and you will see it!! Only need to push it if you need to reset it!!

Answer 8

The fuel shut off switch is design to stop fuel flow to motor in accident. This will prevent the car from moving or starting a fire. If the car is drive able, then you car reset the switch and drive away.

Source(s):

Myself. Tropical Motor Sports, Inc

Answer 9

Its like a circuit breaker . But it works off of a sudden shock or impact to it.

You can thump it with a screw driver handle and it will trip the button.

You just push the button to reset it.

Answer 10

a fuel cut off switch is fitted to most cars now in case you have a crash so the fuel is cut off and the motor stops running

Answer 11

The Fuel Cut-Off Switch is a safety reset switch which starts the fuel pump and allows gas flow to the engine. If you get hit and it is only a minor fender-bender, the fuel pump may shut off; you will know when you try to start the car again and the engine just turns but doesn't start. At this point, just hit the reset button and you're on your way. In the event of a major collision, where the gas line may get ruptured, it prevents the fuel pump from spewing gas continuously and increasing the chances of fire or explosion. All vehicles have a reset switch, but most of them need a dealer to access it after a collision.

Source(s):

Ford of Canada employee

Answer 12

it is a switch which cuts of fuel supply in case of an accident

Source(s):

used to be mechanic at ford main dealer