Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge TRUCK WONT START.....Any help?

The other day driving home from work in my 02 gmc sierra (v6 2wd), the engine cut out while driving, and then wouldnt start. I went through all the fuses I could make out and everything was good so I had it towed to a shop. They told me its the fuel pump and it'll cost $1127.00 for the job...haha So im getting it towed back to my house.

Its definately gotta be a fuel delivery problem, cause it cranks normally, it just wont kick over. We had really nasty storms that day in the morning which I was driving through as well.

I have been noticing that its been taking an extra crank to start so it makes sense the pump would be ready to go. Its got 114,000 on it so its due. I just wanna give the fuse/relay check first.

Anyone know where the fuel cut off relay is on these trucks? As well as any other fuses?

any help or knowledge would be appreciated cause it looks like Im gonna be doing this myself.

It definitely sounds like the fuel pump. Autozone has these pumps for between 350 and 450 bucks. You also have to know which model to use. My 99 Silverado uses the autozone part # E3500M and it comes with the new wiring harness. There is a new wiring system that needs to be used because GM screwed up the old setup. Ask the autozone dude and he will help you. Pull your bed off. It is easier than dropping the tank. You have to relieve the fuel pressure at the fuel line under the hood before you open the system. Disconnect the battery also. I wouldn't do any soldering near the open tank either. clean the top of the tank thoroughly with a shop vac before opening.

AFter replacing keep your tank at least 1/4 full. Running on empty is bad for the pump. GM sucks.

thanks a lot. Whats the process for taking off the bed anyway? I just have a couple bottle jacks and thats it. What about wiring and any other things connected to the bed?

and where would that fuel line be under the hood to release the pressure?

Not sure on an 02. I will take a picture of the one in my truck and send it to you via email. Look under the bed and disconnect the wiring and undo the bolts 4. You should have a service manual to assist you and someone to help you lift the bed. I just relocated mine halfway back on the frame and the overhang I propped on a sawhorse. I can't remember what I did with the fuel spout but I think that if you are mechanically inclined you may be able to figure it out.

Were you running low on gas at the time? If so, it's easier to cook the pump because it's not surrounded by gas which keeps it running cool.

Could be spark. Always gas or spark and if it is getting gas but no spark check the coil.

Had same problem with 1999 silverado, was told the fuel pump was the prblem and was quouted over $800.00.

When you turn the key on you can hear the fuel pump prime and then cut off?

Look under the hood there is a black box with a bunch of relays and under the cover there is a guide as to which relay does what. Swap the fuel pump relay for another one, like the horn or high beams.

I did this on our truck over 50k miles ago and no more problems.

I had a 91 F-250 that acted just like that after beng parked in an airport lot. Turns out the pump was fine, but wiring leading to the pump had corroded. No juice, no pump. Just a thought, I'm no mechanic.

jh

Alternative to taking the bed off. I have two GM trucks around here that have an access hole cut right into the floor of the bed. It's a cinch to pull the fuel pump plate off from the top from here. Just estimate from underneath about where the hoses come off the top of the tank, and cut a square hole about 6" by 6" square above it. Fab a simple piece of sheet metal back over it and screw it in place with some sheet metal screws. Takes about ten minutes. Afterwards, it's way easy to get to again. And trust me, you're gonna need to get in there again with the junk aftermarket pumps that are available.

Don't they now come with an access panel already in the bed for that very reason? That's the dumbshit manufacturing that got them in the trouble their in now. Instead of making a better pump, they just make it easier to replace. Of course you still pay heavily. My old Bronco had a mechanical fuel pump that was driven by the crank and it NEVER failed.

Mechanical pumps were great.. but they don't work well with fuel injection (real FI, not throttle body stuff). As for GM fuel pumps, I'd say that over 100,000 miles before replacement ain't too bad. I had to replace the one on my '99 Suburban and it was at around 130,000 miles or so.

Cheers,
Brad

Yep, it seems that GM fuel pumps crap out at just over 100,000 miles. I had to replace one in my daughter's Cavalier.

And what Brad said about the pumps. Fuel injection systems require consistent high pressure at all speeds, mechanical pumps can't cut it.

Seems to me like if its got some fire, you could put a little gas in the throttle body while spinning the engine. If it combusts, runs a little or tries to, then you've got a fuel delivery problem. If you get nothing at all, you may have a fire or fire/fuel problem. My 02 Silverado stopped starting and it turned out to be a relay. I was getting odd fuel guage readings as well. My Haynes repair manual that I got at autozone did'nt even picture the relay in the wiring schematic otherwise I would have fixed that one myself. Cost me towing and less than $100 bucks to get my local GM dealer to repair it. The technician who repaired it threw the page with the schematic on it into the bed of my truck. He had printed it off of the internet alldatapro.com site. It was the IGN1 relay. BTW, my 02 chevy has a V6 with 2WD. Thats not to say that the fuel pump isn't bad. Those guys at that shop may have diagnosed it correctly. My truck has about the same mileage as your truck does. I just went out one day and it tried to start then would just spin. Wait a couple days and it started then just as suddenly not start. And my fuel guage read incorrectly or wouldn't move at all during the POST.

man?...we got a lot of gm guys on this forum...haha

Thanks for everyones advice, Im gonna definately try to rule out the simple stuff first, or at least try to. I wasnt low on fuel at the time, but I usually ride the thing dry constantly so it wouldnt be a surprise. Of course my old man owned it for the first 50,000 or so and he actually takes care of his trucks, so I'm leaning towards the relay with fingers crossed...but its definately gotta be the more expensive part because Ive had a little extra money in the bank lately and that usually means somethings gotta break...haha

That trap door idea sounds like a good one to me. I'll have to mull it over cause the trucks in really good shape bodywise and I'm really looking to sell it in the future. Still I do love a good inventive convenience. And the next owner might like that too..haha

Thanks again fellas

Turn the key on and listen at the filler door for the sound of the pump. if none do the relay swap as suggested. the bed should come off with 4 bolts and 2 strong guys should be able to move it enough. these pumps need to produce at least 55 psi to get the engine to run and there's only 1 in the system where ford has a lower pressure pump in the tank and a higher pressure pump in the frame rail. anyway when reinstalling the new tank unit you do have to push down hard to get it to seat and get the snap ring back in. and some years do need the wiring updated and the gm kit comes with treated butt connectors. USE A HOT AIR GUN not fire to seal them!!

good luck

mike

I once bought a new 2001 S10, and the fuel pump crapped out at 600 miles...at least it was under warranty, but how lame to have a brand new truck need be towed as I was showing it off to my friend

I have a 98 crew Cab long bed Dually chevy that I had to change the fuel pump out on at 148k... Instead of pulling the bed off or cutting any holes, I found a new use for my bike jack, I just supported the 30 gallon tank with the jack and un-bolted the straps and the filler hose etc... lowered the tank and unhooked the hoses from the tank and wheeled it out from under the truck.... Had to do it twice cuz I cut the oring the first time.... But it was really easy with the jack...

Mission Accomplished! It was the fuel pump. I ended up dropping the tank with some help from my buddy. Wasnt that bad of a process honestly...of course it started to downpour as soon as we got the tank down, so it wasnt fun laying under a truck on a soaked carpet rewiring the new harness. Thanks again to everyone (I sure coulda used that bike lift though)