2001 Silverado - Low Mileage - Won't Start - Low Fuel Light &

Sundownn · April 12, 2015

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and hoping for some troubleshooting tips or someone having had the same experience leading to being unable to start their truck. I have a 2001 5.3 Silverado with only 11,000 original miles on it. As a result I decided to siphon out the older fuel and replace it before trying to start it after a few months on sitting idle. A couple of times over the past couple of years it ran rough with the check engine light on after starting it but cleared up in a moment or so and I thought this might be from older fuel so I wanted to change it before trying again thinking I was doing a good thing.

So, now it cranks well but won't start. It has never done this before. When turning the ignition to the on position the fuel gauge does not budge at all or when you try to actually start it but I know there is gas in the tank. The low fuel warning light flashes as well at this time in between the charge light and security light. I have listened for the fuel pump but can't detect any sound but never did notice it before in any event. There appears to be no fuel getting through and given its low mileage but sporadic usage this has me puzzled. I don't know if it has something to do with the Passlock system or if I jarred something in the tank with the siphon hose relating to the fuel pump etc. or what?

I tried just about everything a layman knows but compared to the old days off putting a bit of fuel in a carb or a push start I am a lost soul with the newer vehicles and before loading it and my wallet up on a flatbed to the dealer I wanted to ask for any input or ideas that I may have overlooked.

Thank you so much,

Take care,

P.

oldscsc · April 12, 2015

These trucks are known to eat a fuel pump every now and then. While the truck's mileage is very low, that pump is now 15 years old.

I'd check two things to start:

1. Fuel pressure. You should be able to rent a fuel pressure gauge at an auto parts store. Hook it up to the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Turn the key ON (engine OFF). You should be getting 55-62PSI fuel pressure. If the pickup is within spec here, there's no reason to try #2.

2. Power at the fuel pump connector. Disconnect the fuel pump connector. Grab a helper that can turn the key to ON (engine OFF). Each time you do this, you should have B+ (~12.6V) at the connector for 2-3 seconds. If you don't have power at all, post back and we can go from there.

DwayneJ · April 12, 2015

Can you hear the pump prime when turning to the run position before you crank? The needle not registering fuel would have me concerned about an electrical issue.

11,000 miles on a 15yo vehicle can cause as many or more problems than 110,000miles. Electrical connections corrode, seals don't stay lubricated etc........ Can cause a lot of intermittent electrical gremlins at least in most areas with some humidity and temperature swings.

Sundownn · April 13, 2015

Thank you for your suggestions and recommendations, I appreciate them very much and will explore these further based on what you have said. I don't hear the fuel pump and also wondered if this had anything to do with the Passlock system at all or perhaps it is the fule pump on its own. It operated and started before siphoning out and replacing the fuel and perhaps this is simply a coincidence but if I can't figure it out I will have to rely upon the dealer to do so for me I suspect. I wondered if pushing the siphon hose into the tank did anything to contribute to this.

Sincere regards,

Sundownn,