i have a 95 s-10 blazer (4.3, 4x4, 4 dr auto w/ ac) and i am having a problem with the fuel pump relay.. i think!

symptoms: intermitantly, the truck will not start, no fuel pump primer whine, no smell... when i remove the fuel pump relay in the glove box and wait a sec... then reinsert the relay, the truck starts as normal.. but lately, the truck has been 'conking out' while driving... the same remedy as above has 'reset' this condition, but it's getting more frequent.

the pump/sending unit was replaced professionally less than a year ago

will simply replacing the relay solve this, or am i looking at mortgaging my kidney to have this fixed?

 

That depends if you work on it yourself or pay a shop to look at it... I'd advise against letting your shop have free reign for labor. This could be a failing ignition switch or other problem, but I have personally experienced a fault at the fuel pump relay that caused these symptoms. For me it was a slightly bent pin in the relay socket that I fixed with a jewelers screw driver. I also cleaned the contacts on the relay with a wire brush and sprayed all the contacts with electrical contact cleaner. Now, when it dies and you don't get the fuel pump, how long are you waiting?? The ECU will not let the fuel pump kick on until the ignition has been off for like 10 seconds. Your relay is probably fine, and it's the same relay as the horn if you feel like changing it out to see. On the 97 it's in the glove box, I'm not sure on your 95.

 

i do most of the work myself.. ignition switch... i hadn't thought about that... are there any other symptoms that would present in addition to the relay heating up and quitting?

to answer, i am waiting somewhere between 10-15 sec and a min at best...