Truck Won't Run

leboyd · January 12, 2010

My wife was driving home the other day in our 97 Tahoe (175,000 miles). As she was driving, she said it started "cutting out" on her. She was able to get it home and into the garage, but now it won't start.

The battery cables are tight and I just replaced the fuel filter (just to be sure it wasn't something simple). I checked the under the hood and everything looks okay.

When I try to start it it turns over great, but seems to have a fuel problem. There is a sound coming from the pump that sounds like the pump could be the problem. However, there was gas in the old filter. I'm guessing it could pump some limited amount of fuel through to the filter, but not have enough power to pump it all the way up to the engine or not enough fuel to the engine.

Before I go through the "fun" of replacing the fuel pump, I wonder if there some way to test this theory or check if it's something else.

Since it one start, I can't "see" if there are any codes. Would there be a code if the pump was bad?

Thanks,

Larry

BTW there a good video on utube on removing the tank and replacing the pump on these style trucks.

truckofwinandawesome · January 12, 2010

my only suggestion is to get your wife to get in the driver's seat, while you have your ear by the tank listening for the pump as your wife cycles the key. just my $0.02

leboyd · January 12, 2010

my only suggestion is to get your wife to get in the driver's seat, while you have your ear by the tank listening for the pump as your wife cycles the key. just my $0.02

Thanks, I can hear something happening, but it's not the typical or "regular" sound made by the fuel pump. The "regular" sound that recall hearing is the high-pitched sound. This sound is more like a "clunking" sound - although not a clunking of metal on metal. A little more than a "bumping" sound.

Snow White · January 12, 2010

my only suggestion is to get your wife to get in the driver's seat, while you have your ear by the tank listening for the pump as your wife cycles the key. just my $0.02

Thanks, I can hear something happening, but it's not the typical or "regular" sound made by the fuel pump. The "regular" sound that recall hearing is the high-pitched sound. This sound is more like a "clunking" sound - although not a clunking of metal on metal. A little more than a "bumping" sound.

with a 12v test light you should be able to find the hot feeding the pump, probe it when she turns the key on to see if you're getting power... sounds like you are. another trick is to listen for the relay click. i also believe there has to be a way to test the fuel line pressure up at the intake someplace, not real sure with these newer engines though. on my old v8's we'd just pull the fuel line heading into the intake and see if gas came out when you turn the key on quick.

ColoradoSkiCountry · January 12, 2010

Is it the original pump? If so, time for a new one.

leboyd · January 12, 2010

Is it the original pump? If so, time for a new one.

Yes, that's what I'm thinking - but I *really* hate to go through all the trouble if that's not the problem.

Are you saying the indications of sound and non-running is the pump in your experience?

Thanks!

grose67 · January 12, 2010

There is a schrader valve on the back of the engine, drivers side top. You need to put a pressure gage on it to see how many pounds of pressure your pump is pushing with the key on and then observe it the pressure leaks off. I have replaced 4 pumps on my 95 Blazer. None of them gave warning or caused the engine to die, the truck just wouldnt start. I have seen that happen on other vehicles though.