RJR99SS
Forum Newbie
Posts: 11
Reg: 06-28-11
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04-03-12 10:00 AM - Post#2210740
I got stranded in a parking lot yesterday because my truck wouldnt start. It's been driving fine the past couple of weeks, no CEL, runs good, all that.
In the parking lot i tried to start it and it immediatly died, would not start back up. About all i could do was take the air cleaner off and see that the injectors werent spraying any fuel. I also didnt hear any noise from the fuel pump, so i figured that was it.
I had it towed home, and about all i could do was check to make sure the injectors were getting power, which they were, and check for codes. The only code i got was a code 32. I recently replaced the EGR valve, so i figured that was just still stored from that. I also tested the fuel pump relay with a an ohmeter and a battery charger and it was coming up ok. It got dark by that point so i figured i'd mess around with it today.
I figured i'd pull the bed off, and check and make sure the fuel pump was getting power and ground, if it was i would know that it's the fuel pump thats bad. The problem is i tried to start it, and now it fires right up. Still runs good, no CEL, everything back to normal.
The only thing is the fuel pump still isnt making any noise.
I'm still leaning towards the fuel pump being bad, because i think they can cut in and out like that (maybe the gas splashing around from it being towed knocked it back into commission) even when they're going bad. When i bought the truck it had about 150k miles on it, and the first thing i did was replace the fuel filter and it looked like it still had the original factory filter on it.
So thats my best guess as of know, anyone else have any ideas?
Edited by RJR99SS on 04-03-12 10:04 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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 someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23387
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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04-03-12 10:14 AM - Post#2210747
In response to RJR99SS
The pump can definitely go intermittent. Sometimes they die and never work again, other times they quit, work, quit, work some more...happened to me on the last one I replaced and numerous others.
If it's the original pump at 150K+ then you can pretty safely assume the pump is bad. If you want to be a stickler though for diagnosing before replacing parts, nothing wrong with that; it will mean carrying some simple diagnostic tools with you and waiting for it to die again which may not come at the most convenient time. A fuel pressure gauge kit and a spark checker will pretty much tell you all you need to know. A lot of people talk about the fuel pump relays but in my experience they are very rarely the issue on the TBI trucks; much more often problematic on Vortec era.
The TBI pumps are very quiet so you can't really depend on them making any noise unless there is practically zero ambient noise.
Richard
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350whip
Contributor
Posts: 116
Reg: 02-24-12
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04-03-12 10:15 AM - Post#2210749
In response to RJR99SS
pickup coil could have little cracks in it.
RickT.
- 1989 chevy k1500
- regular cab, shortbox
- chevy SB350tbi (little piggie!)
- L60E Automatic 4speed
- corvette servo
- 30"BFG AT's
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350whip
Contributor
Posts: 116
Reg: 02-24-12
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04-03-12 10:16 AM - Post#2210751
In response to someotherguy
my pump sounds like a tractor lol
RickT.
- 1989 chevy k1500
- regular cab, shortbox
- chevy SB350tbi (little piggie!)
- L60E Automatic 4speed
- corvette servo
- 30"BFG AT's
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someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23387
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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04-03-12 10:21 AM - Post#2210753
In response to 350whip
OK; *most* TBI pumps are really quiet. 
Richard
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350whip
Contributor
Posts: 116
Reg: 02-24-12
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04-03-12 10:28 AM - Post#2210754
In response to someotherguy
lol richard is right though the little suckers will die and come back on just like a crappy sub-pump. i remember 2 or 3 years ago my TBI stopped spraying I'm sure it was the P\u coil in the distributor. ICM's and coils don't stop spray so if you get a new pump in the tank and you have the problem again look at it. i love cheep parts lol!!!!!
RickT.
- 1989 chevy k1500
- regular cab, shortbox
- chevy SB350tbi (little piggie!)
- L60E Automatic 4speed
- corvette servo
- 30"BFG AT's
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RJR99SS
Forum Newbie
Posts: 11
Reg: 06-28-11
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04-03-12 10:41 AM - Post#2210756
In response to RJR99SS
Alright, guess i'll take the bed off and go at the pump. Has to happen of course when i have 3/4 of a tank full, i dont really feel like dropping the tank with that in it.
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350whip
Contributor
Posts: 116
Reg: 02-24-12
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04-03-12 10:44 AM - Post#2210758
In response to RJR99SS
vacuum that crap out hose in tank, big gas can, put the vac on the breather hole on the gas can and put the hose in the gas hole the vac will suck the gas into the can. works real well
RickT.
- 1989 chevy k1500
- regular cab, shortbox
- chevy SB350tbi (little piggie!)
- L60E Automatic 4speed
- corvette servo
- 30"BFG AT's
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RJR99SS
Forum Newbie
Posts: 11
Reg: 06-28-11
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04-03-12 12:35 PM - Post#2210801
In response to 350whip
I already took the bed off, wasnt too much effort with a 3/4" impact.
Only other surprise was the fuel sender was basically rusted to dust, surprised it wasnt leaking, but they're fairly cheap at the parts store so it's not that big of a deal.
Bet the tank starts leaking a month or so after i'm done with this though.
Another thing i saw was the smaller tube coming off the filler neck is rusted so bad it's about to fall apart. Cant see it listed as a part. I think it's the overflow tube or something. think i could just stuff a copper tube or something i have laying around in there instead?
Edited by RJR99SS on 04-03-12 12:41 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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 jham0077
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 320
Age: 36
Loc: Greenville, Il.
Reg: 11-04-11
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04-03-12 02:11 PM - Post#2210830
In response to 350whip
When I worked on vehicles for a paycheck, we found it easier to pull the bed no matter how much fuel was in it, providing no full tool box or 300# of trash in the bed.
And I had to almost stick my ear down the filler neck to hear my pump running.
Check the ClassicParts place in the upper right hand corner. Or LMC, RockAuto.
Keep throwing money at it, it'll get better...
95 Tahoe 5.7 w/5 spd
Gone but not forgotten,
87 LWB 4x4 5.0 w/3 spd granny,
84 SWB 4x4 5.7 w/3 spd granny,
93 Full Size Blazer 5.7 w/5 spd,
97 Step-side Vortec w/5 spd.
I like shifting gears. |
Edited by jham0077 on 04-03-12 02:14 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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nickmac
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1040
Loc: Scandia, PA
Reg: 02-13-07
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04-03-12 05:55 PM - Post#2210942
In response to jham0077
Take the distributor module in to the parts store and have it tested multiple times to see if it fails after getting some heat into it. Just remember to use the heat sink grease under it when putting it back on.
Dan
'91 Chevy Ext. Cab 5.7 4x4
'05 Chevy TrailBlazer 4.2 4x4
'02 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 |
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