Starting Issues

mwm13 · May 27, 2010

So Ive been searching for a bit and cant find out what I need to know. 1998 GMC sierra 350 vortec will not start. Seemed to run okay, went in the store for 30 mins came out and all she did was turn over. There is definetly no noise coming from the fuel pump assuming its located in the tank, is there anything else I should check? I has 205,000KM on it and i have owned it since 160,XXX and have never done the fuel pump and im not sure if the previous owner ever did. I check the fuse in the fuse box also. Theres also a little black valve looking unit on what im sure are the fuel lines, they run up the frame, into black box type thing and one runs out, theres no pressure by pushing down on the thing....Any ideas would be great I need to be able to get to work unfortunatly .

kuhl_530 · May 27, 2010

Definately sounds like a fuel issue, but could also be ignition. Generally you will hear a whining noises from the pump if you take the gas cap off and listen down the filler neck (don't need to push the flap open). Before you replace the pump, check the fuse, relay, and down the wiring to make sure you have power running to the pump, and that you don't have a damaged connection. After that, it's the pump.

Also, take off (or open up) the throttle body assembly and try to start the truck for a few seconds. Check to see if you can smell fuel coming from the engine. If you can, you may have an ignition issue. If not, again, probably the fuel pump.

Hope that helps!

mwm13 · May 30, 2010

got the tank out and im swapping pumps right now, anyone got any tricks to getting this fuel pump unit into the tank with that seal there, suuuper tight and I dont want to bust my 250 fuel pump hammering it!