Hi,
Probably a stupid question but I'd figured I'd ask.
Our 2001 Blazer (112k miles) has been having rough starts in the morning for a few weeks.
It basically just takes holding down the started for 4-5 seconds (sometimes a bit more) instead of the normal immediate turnover.
Once you get it running in the morning for the first time - it starts like normal the rest of the day.

This morning, it would not start at all. Turns over, but wouldn't start - I finally gave up.
Thinking I was going to need a tow truck to get to a mechanic (because I am not one aside from some basics) - I finally tried one last time in it started on the second try and ran fine for a short trip just to get it out of the garage and to the driveway in the front of the house where a tow truck could get to it. Ran fine.

Been through two fuel pumps on this truck and this seemed like that, but I know there are a million things it could be. (Last fuel pump is about 5 years old, but not many miles.)
Only codes I can ever pull are 0171 and 0174 if the check engine light comes on - but it wasn't doing that right now, it just happens sometimes. The codes were not present today and no check engine light on.

Just tested it again and it cranked up in a second and ran great. (It seems like the cold starts where it's not happy lately, but it's not cold here yet and the battery is about the best you could get.)

Could have got some bad fuel, but I doubt it. Was thinking of trying just some Heet or Seafoam in the tank, but not sure if that is a good idea.

Thanks for any ideas, I'll probably end up taking it in to the shop, but it runs fine now, so who knows if they could figure it out either.
--Matt

 

These trucks are very sensitive to fuel pressure, and anything lower than 60 psi can often result in no-start situations. Doing a leak-down test is probably the first thing I'd suggest. If you are most likely to have issues on a cold start, that should be when you do the leak-down test.

One other thing to throw out there too, is that a weak battery could create a situation that can make it seem to be a bad fuel pump. If the battery is weak then there may be insufficient power to get an old or cheap fuel pump up to operating pressure. Getting a load test done on your battery would rule this out. many parts stores and battery stores will do a load test on batteries for free.

 

Test fuel pump https://blazerforum.com/forum/2nd-ge...eakdown-88305/

 

Thanks for the info! I don't think my battery is weak, but worth testing it...
I'll look into the leak test and pressure test. That Actron scanner that puttster mentioned is no longer available, but looks awesome! I'll see if I can find another.

It started and ran great this morning for a short run, still rough on the cold start.
Same thing later this afternoon, cold start was a bit harder, but started right away after that when I shut it down and restarted.
Testing battery in the AM...hoping that's it.
Thanks again for the replies!

 

cold start issue - what does the scanner show for ecm temp vs engine temp vs temp outside when it wont start
if that passes id test the fuel pressure asap and post back

 

Is there a pressure regulator or bypass in the throttle body, if there is a throttle body?

95, lack of sensing ignition at cranking will do that.