97 s10 blazer not starting every few days
 

Hey guys, i'm new to the forum and the lovely world of car problems... gone from a few hand me downs to finally being able to buy my own car. The 97 Chevy s10 blazer, up until now it was running like a charm compared to what I was driving. Anyway ontopic about a month ago I was running several errands and just before I could leave the last location to head home I went out to my blazer, threw everything in and went to try and start it. Sounds like it wanted to start but just wouldnt, even after several tries and waiting 15minutes it would just crank over but not start, that or it would start just for a few seconds and then drop again.

Luckly I had my cell with me and a friend came to pick me up, I went back the next day to try and start it again, and it started right up to my disbelief. Drove it home with my friend following me and let it sit in my drive way since I didnt have anything else to do. Then for about a week everything was fine, driving it to work and back but it had a 8 - 10 hr break inbetween starts.

Now it seems like every few days if I drive it over to my friends house, store, etc and it doesnt sit for more then 3 - 4 hours it wont start, just kind of cranks over or starts for a very short second and then drops. The oil, air filter, and i believe a few other things were just changed not even 2months ago. My friends brother thought it might be the fuel filter but when he tried that little trick hitting the fuel tank with a wrench for a little bit it still wouldnt start so he wasnt sure what it would be, though he still recommended I take it in and have the fuel pump / filter replaced.

I was hoping maybe someone could point me in a cheaper direction first? I called several repair shops around town and the fuel pump alone is going to be nothing less then 550$ and that doesnt even include labor or tax to have it put in !

I have very little experience with Cars so im not really 100% sure how to do all the at home check up things. I can always try to call one of my friends and see if they can help me with it, just kind of looking for a direction to start, hopefully something simple that I can do, or someone with a few basic mechanic skills isntead of having to fork over 600$ to have it fixed if that is even the problem.

You mentioned that you whacked the tank, but did you listen for the pump to prime when you turn the power on?

If it is the fuel pump, $550 is a bit steep. Try Autozone, I paid $290 for mine about 3 months ago.

Before we go on any further, verify that the pump does prime. If you hear it prime, we need to look elsewhere first. If it doesn't. Verify voltage at the pump. Then we can decide if you need a new pump.

Well like I said im not that good with cars, but I went outside and turned the key and then listened under the car, and it made a sound like something was turning on.

That being the case, what is the next thing I need to look for? - Or try in my case:p