Tahoe will not start, Feul Pump?

jimmy406 · December 9, 2004

Hey Guy, I need some help, I've always had this problem with my 1997 5.7 tahoe where it would have a hard time turning over if i dident wait a few second after turning ther key. My dealer told me this was normal, yet I own a few 5.7 trucks that dont do the same. When I turned the key, I would hear what i think to be the feul pump turn on, then i would know it would be safe to turn start the engien

Now I dont hear it and the car wont turn over. It will turn just never start like its not getting fuel. DO you think its the fuel pump, Could it be a fuse to fuel pump. I know these things run about 400 bucks.

Any Comments would be great,

Thanks

Jim

mcreyaufmiller · December 9, 2004

Hey Guy, I need some help, I've always had this problem with my 1997 5.7 tahoe where it would have a hard time turning over if i dident wait a few second after turning ther key. My dealer told me this was normal, yet I own a few 5.7 trucks that dont do the same. When I turned the key, I would hear what i think to be the feul pump turn on, then i would know it would be safe to turn start the engien

Now I dont hear it and the car wont turn over. It will turn just never start like its not getting fuel. DO you think its the fuel pump, Could it be a fuse to fuel pump. I know these things run about 400 bucks.

Any Comments would be great,

Thanks

Jim

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If we are talking about a Chevy truck here, and you turn the key on and do not hear the Chevy whine (niose from the back of the truck), it is most likley the fuel pump. 1 way to be sure is to have someone sit in the drivers seat while you are at the drivers side rear tire. Have your helper turn the key on, not start the truck, if you do not hear the noise, proceed to step 2. Open the hood and find the relay center, black box on the drivers side. locate the relay for the fuel pump. Have your helper turn the key again and listen and feel for the click in this relay. If you are certin that there is no click, you could replace the relay (not sure how much they are) if you hear of feel the click, chances are the fuel pump is bad.

GM-Tech · December 10, 2004

It will turn just never start like its not getting fuel. DO you think its the fuel pump, Could it be a fuse to fuel pump.

The first thing we do when we suspect a fuel pump is SMACK the bottom of the fuel tank. Not the "officially approved" method of diagnosis, but a good quick test when the truck is out in the lot and cranks but won't start. 99% of the time, if it's the pump it will start after that.

jimmy406 · December 10, 2004

Thanks for the info guys

THE QUICK FIX WORKED!!, you saved my girfirend a drive to my work to pick me. I guess I gotta get the feul put replaced ..

Thanks, you guys rock.

asepgrad98 · December 10, 2004

no problem, thats what where hear four

GM-Tech · December 10, 2004

THE QUICK FIX WORKED

What fix was that? Smackin' the tank?

budhayes3 · December 10, 2004

THE QUICK FIX WORKED

What fix was that? Smackin' the tank?

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In the 80's, they used a similar method to test PCM's (ECM's at the time). When a vehicle had a hard start, no start, or some other form of runability problem, you were supposed to tap the computer with the handle of a screwdriver...it was called the "GM tap test". If the condition changed, or the idle changed, or the vehicle started, etc., the ECM was faulty. Unfortunately, many techs used the smack test, and ended up replacing perfectly good ECM's.

I've used the smack method many times.....to diagnose window motors, wiper motors, starter motors, and yes, fuel pumps.

GM-Tech · December 10, 2004

In the 80's, they used a similar method to test PCM's (ECM's at the time). When a vehicle had a hard start, no start, or some other form of runability problem, you were supposed to tap the computer with the handle of a screwdriver...it was called the "GM tap test".

Yep. Smacked many a computer in those days. MAF sensors too.

brownk01 · December 10, 2004

Thanks for the info guys

THE QUICK FIX WORKED!!, you saved my girfirend a drive to my work to pick me. I guess I gotta get the feul put replaced ..

Thanks, you guys rock.

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Glad the fix worked. I have a 99 Yukon that wouldn't start due to the fuel pump. The cost to replace was $630 (330 parts 300 labor). Hope this will help prevent sticker shock for you. Good luck.

thirdgoat · December 11, 2004

just an FYI, I just bought a new GM Fuel pump from eBay from a guy in Miami last week. I paid $145.00 for it. Dealer cost were $305-$345.

Hope this helps!

jimmy406 · December 12, 2004

Hey guys, I replaced my fuel filter this weekend. The pump was only 99 bucks from the dealer. THey told me since I have a two door and not a four its a lot cheaper. He said with a four door it would have been 275 bucks. When i droped my gas trank out I notice someone was doing some tempering with it before i bought the truck. The return line was broken and duct taped on. safe huh. So I replaced that part to. Now the truck runs fine. Thanks for your help

mcreyaufmiller · December 13, 2004

Hey guys, I replaced my fuel filter this weekend. The pump was only 99 bucks from the dealer. THey told me since I have a two door and not a four its a lot cheaper. He said with a four door it would have been 275 bucks. When i droped my gas trank out I notice someone was doing some tempering with it before i bought the truck. The return line was broken and duct taped on. safe huh. So I replaced that part to. Now the truck runs fine. Thanks for your help

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I have a 3 door and it was $300