Truck Won't Stay Running..tbi

[06tyler06]

I'm only 16, I took Auto I and Auto II in school, school closed Auto after that. But my problem is that I went to an auction from a family tow yard and bought a 1988 GMC Suburban V2500, 4x4, 350 Cid. Has TBI. I checked it out before the auction and it ran, my cousin even drove it through the auction. I went back about a week later and he could not get it started. I put in a new battery cuz the last one was dead. It sat for about 3 months. I played with it and had it going a little bit. It loves to run if you continually spray ether in it. I put in some new gas, cleaned the TBI and I can get it started, but it won't stay running. I was told I may need a new fuel pump filter/screen. I replaced the fuel filter. I do think some vacuum hoses are disconnected some where. But I looked and the previous person cut the exhaust pipe right before the fuel tank and that my catalytic converter is completely shot. So any suggestions? Thankyou

[frdfandc]

If it only stays running by spraying ether into the TBI, you have a fuel delivery problem. First thing to do is check fuel pressure with an accurate fuel pressure guage.

[GMstrong]

Could be alot of things.iac valve,cracked vacuum line,bad map sensor,egr valve.The cat is a whole different problem.

[[email protected]]

From what you describe and how common it is with those trucks, it's definitely the fuel pump or the hose between the fuel pump and pickup tube, if you hear the fuel pump run for a while when you key it on. On a TBI, there's no EASY way to check fuel pressure, so I wouldn't bother, especially if you don't hear the pump.

[mattcrawford512]

get under the truck where the tank is and have someone turn the switch on. You should hear the fuel pump turn on.