Ok, I've been doing some searches on fuel pump as I feel that is the likely culprit. This is my only car, I've got a bike but its cold as crap out... I drove it to work today, and it was fine. Left about 2:00 to run a couple errands and started fine. Left work around 5:00 still fine. After dinner my wife tried to go to the store, and it wouldn't start?? She said it started to fire, then sputtered and died. It just cranks and cranks. I put a little fuel in the throttle body, and it fired up for a sec, then died. It seems to not be getting fuel. Just seems strange that the thing started just fine several times today, and haven't had any issues recently, now wont start.

Last summer it would kind of sputter out, and even died a few times on really hot days when the tank was low. I thought that either the fuel pump was getting too hot, or the filter was clogged. I changed the filter then (about 6 - 8 months ago). It has still sputtered a few times since... Anyway, I don't have a fuel pressure gauge to dbl check the pressure at the throttle body. I did lay under the truck and have my wife turn on the key, but I didn't hear anything. I thought I would hear the pump come on. I also unscrewed the cap from the line feeding into the injectors, where I would put the pressure gauge. I depressed the little nipple thing, and fuel came out, but not a lot. I then had my wife turn the key on while I had it depressed, but no fuel came out. Even had her crank it, but nada... I'm guessing fuel pump, but was hoping some folks could tell me if I'm missing something, or if there are other things I should do to verify that.

Assuming it is the fuel pump, I gotta drop the tank huh..?? Almost a full tank of fuel too.. Crap!

edit: I do here something buzzing when the key is on, but it's not coming from the tank. It's something you can hear from inside the blazer, maybe behind the dash or firewall?? Not sure what that is though?

TIA,
nibs

*Combining posts. Please use the EDIT function if no one has replied since your last post, thanks. TBB

I think it is the fuel pump... I swapped the relay with another one, and still no fuel. Plus when I depress the nipple on the schrader valve nothing comes out.. the first time I did, a small amount of fuel dribbled out on my finger. When I held it down and my wife turned the key on, shouldn't fuel have squirted out? That didn't happen...

 

I think it is the fuel pump... I swapped the relay with another one, and still no fuel. Plus when I depress the nipple on the schrader valve nothing comes out.. the first time I did, a small amount of fuel dribbled out on my finger. When I held it down and my wife turned the key on, shouldn't fuel have squirted out? That didn't happen...

 

if there is no buzzing from the tank the pump is the culprit

 

Looking in the svc manual, dropping the tank doesn't seem too bad... I do have over 3/4 tank of gas though.. not sure if I'll try and siphon some out or not.. Not to mention it supposed to be like 20* tomorrow. No heat in the garage.

 

Ok, I need some help... I banged around on the tank this morning, and the truck started. Ran rough for a sec, then died. I'm pretty positive it's the pump.

I've started trying to drop the tank. I got the fuel inlet and vapor return hose clamps loose. The hoses are still on, but I they are loose, so I think I can slide them off when lowering the tank slowly. I have 3 lines that connect to the pump. Two have the quick release connections, and I was able to depress the white/clear tabs and remove those from the pump. However, the middle line, which also appears to be a fuel line (not sure why there are 3??) has a different style connection. I can't seem to figure out how it is supposed to be released?

Anybody got any advice? The book I have covers multiple models, but it only shows 2 lines...

 

one line is fuel out, another is the return line, and i belive the other is for vapor.

as far as taking it off im not sure.

I recently did a 99 tahoe and they are the connectors where you have a slidea round tool in to depress all the pins. That may be the thing your talking about but im not too sure.

 

I have nearly 3/4 tank. Am I asking for trouble attempting to drop it with that much fuel? What's the best way to siphon, or otherwise get the fuel out if needed?

 

tip of advice, be careful with the plastic lines !!! they snap very easily,,, esp with it being so cold....and def drain the tank some get a siphoner that ya use for like kerosene or sumthing along those lines...you`ll just have to add some hose to the end..

 

I just got all the lines off. The only thing still on is the elctrical lines. I cant get to them very well. I think if I drop it a little I can get them. I put a 2x6 on my floor jack and have that under the tank. I've started loosening the 2 bolts holding the straps on, but still have it 3/4 full. Maybe I'll stop and go look for some kind of siphon pump at Autozone or something..??

*Combining consecutive posts. Please use EDIT, thanks. TBB

Thanks for the replies. I'm done. It's running great again!

The one thing I didn't expect was that the new pump came with a new connector for the harness. I thought they gave me the wrong pump, so I went to different parts store, but was told, and also saw it in the directions, that the old connectors on GM pumps from like 95-2000 had issues. The pump came with the wires, and decent connections. Took about 10 minutes, but I do a lot of wiring on my bike so I'm used to stuff like that.

I did drop and raise the tank still with about 3/4 tank of gas with no problems and no spills.


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There are 10 types of people in the world, those that know binary and those that don't.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm done. It's running great again!

The one thing I didn't expect was that the new pump came with a new connector for the harness. I thought they gave me the wrong pump, so I went to different parts store, but was told, and also saw it in the directions, that the old connectors on GM pumps from like 95-2000 had issues. The pump came with the wires, and decent connections. Took about 10 minutes, but I do a lot of wiring on my bike so I'm used to stuff like that.

I did drop and raise the tank still with about 3/4 tank of gas with no problems and no spills.