Fuel Pump/Filter or something else

[MacAttack]

Hoping to pick some brains...

My duck hunting trip was cut short as Friday after I filled up with gas at Costco in Wenatchee, my truck started acting funny on Hwy 2. It first sounded like the tranny or u joints were going out because it was clunking but then it stalled. I got it to the shoulder and called AAA for a tow, I was almost at my buddy's house in Leavenworth. On the side of the road, I tried to turn it over and it wouldn't at first, then it was able to, but it quickly shut off. So today I called AAA for another tow back to Renton. Huge thanks to the two tow truck drivers from Jaegers.

Plan on starting with the fuel filter tomorrow and see how that goes...any other ideas?

[762Armo]

Spray starter fluid in the intake as someone is cranking. If it starts and runs then you know for sure it's fuel related. You can also pull the fuel line, and see if you're getting fuel. Better then just throwing parts at it, although a fuel filter change is not a bad idea either way.

What vehicle, mileage?

[MacAttack]

It is a 2002 Silverado 1500, it just went over 200K about an hour before this happened.

[JimmyHoffa]

Pump sound likely, pressure regulator might also have some play.  But for troubleshooting and eliminating, the Mass Airflow Sensor can cause issues that make it seem fuel related, too.  You can unplug or check the boots--free, or even spray the little sensor with the crc cleaner--$5 to help eliminate variables.

[BLDtraLR]

Fuel pump    my truck is the same yr as yours but mine went at 150,000  same thing happened to me on our way to a 3-d shoot  limped it to the shoot  than let it cool down and got about 15 miles it was done stranded in abeerdeen of all places.  Luckly found a guy that raised the bed of my truck and replaced it alot easyer and faster than having to drop the tank and drain the fuel out.  Good luck but i would almost guarentee thats what it is.

[j_h_nimrod]

You should be able to hear the fuel pump if you are down by the tank and have someone switch the key to accessory. It should have a high pressure rail, I would not recommend taking off the fuel line to test fuel flow!  Probably a pump, 200k mil s is well in the range for a failure. The failure to turn over has me a little worried, that is not fuel related. Lack of fuel should have let it turn over as normal, just not start.

Timing chain or belt is a possibility, though hopefully not.

[MacAttack]

You should be able to hear the fuel pump if you are down by the tank and have someone switch the key to accessory. It should have a high pressure rail, I would not recommend taking off the fuel line to test fuel flow!  Probably a pump, 200k mil s is well in the range for a failure. The failure to turn over has me a little worried, that is not fuel related. Lack of fuel should have let it turn over as normal, just not start.

Timing chain or belt is a possibility, though hopefully not.

Correct,I meant to write it does not start, it will turn over but will not start, or it does and dies almost immediately.

[Calvin Rayborn]

You should be able to hear the fuel pump if you are down by the tank and have someone switch the key to accessory. It should have a high pressure rail, I would not recommend taking off the fuel line to test fuel flow!  Probably a pump, 200k mil s is well in the range for a failure. The failure to turn over has me a little worried, that is not fuel related. Lack of fuel should have let it turn over as normal, just not start.

Timing chain or belt is a possibility, though hopefully not.

    Clunk clunk - Sounds a bit more serious than fuel delivery  Good Luck!

[jackelope]

It won’t be a fuel filter.  Given the year, make and model, I’m going with fuel pump for a dollar, Alex!

[jackelope]

It doesn’t have a timing belt.

[Ridgeratt]

I have heard you can give it the hillbilly test. Tap on the bottom of the gas tank some and see if it will pick up some fuel and run for a short time.

[KFhunter]

sounds like a rod was being jammed into the side of the block or piston skirt

[Sandberm]

In tank fuel pump.

Happened on my 03 s-10, my neighbors Suburban, my brothers Astrovan, my dads mid nineties Chevy 1500...

Its a chevy thing

[jackelope]

I have heard you can give it the hillbilly test. Tap on the bottom of the gas tank some and see if it will pick up some fuel and run for a short time.

Sometimes you can beat on the fuel tank. Jarring the pump motor might make it work....same idea as hitting a starter with a hammer.

[Blacktail Sniper]

I have heard you can give it the hillbilly test. Tap on the bottom of the gas tank some and see if it will pick up some fuel and run for a short time.

Sometimes you can beat on the fuel tank. Jarring the pump motor might make it work....same idea as hitting a starter with a hammer.

As an added bonus, it just feels good to hit it with a hammer when it doesn't work!!

Fuel pump on my Tahoe went at 165,000, so probably the most likely suspect as it does seem to be a Chevy thing...

[bearpaw]

A little trick we have learned for dealing with in-tank fuel pumps in suburbans and tahoes, look under the truck and locate where the fuel pump is at on the tank, lift the carpet in the vehicle and cut a hole in the floor right above the pump, makes changing a fuel pump very easy. To plug the hole that you cut out, just cut a square piece of tin to cover the hole, screw it in place, lay the carpet back down. You could probably do the same thing with a pickup to save a lot of hassle if you don't mind a patch in your truck bed.

[jackelope]

I have heard you can give it the hillbilly test. Tap on the bottom of the gas tank some and see if it will pick up some fuel and run for a short time.

Sometimes you can beat on the fuel tank. Jarring the pump motor might make it work....same idea as hitting a starter with a hammer.

As an added bonus, it just feels good to hit it with a hammer when it doesn't work!!

Fuel pump on my Tahoe went at 165,000, so probably the most likely suspect as it does seem to be a Chevy thing...

I put 2 in my '02 Silverado in 235k miles. Used to work at a GM Dealer. It's a Chevy/GMC thing.

[bearpaw]

I have heard you can give it the hillbilly test. Tap on the bottom of the gas tank some and see if it will pick up some fuel and run for a short time.

Sometimes you can beat on the fuel tank. Jarring the pump motor might make it work....same idea as hitting a starter with a hammer.

As an added bonus, it just feels good to hit it with a hammer when it doesn't work!!

Fuel pump on my Tahoe went at 165,000, so probably the most likely suspect as it does seem to be a Chevy thing...

I put 2 in my '02 Silverado in 235k miles. Used to work at a GM Dealer. It's a Chevy/GMC thing.

I had a 2000 silverado 3500, same story, two fuel pumps in 240,000 miles, you can tell when they start whining louder they are getting ready to self destruct

[huntnfmly]

Another vote for fuel pump I have a 89 Chevy 1/2 ton did the same thing was stranded in wenatchee had pump replaced for the second time since I've owned it

[jackelope]

I have heard you can give it the hillbilly test. Tap on the bottom of the gas tank some and see if it will pick up some fuel and run for a short time.

Sometimes you can beat on the fuel tank. Jarring the pump motor might make it work....same idea as hitting a starter with a hammer.

As an added bonus, it just feels good to hit it with a hammer when it doesn't work!!

Fuel pump on my Tahoe went at 165,000, so probably the most likely suspect as it does seem to be a Chevy thing...

I put 2 in my '02 Silverado in 235k miles. Used to work at a GM Dealer. It's a Chevy/GMC thing.

I had a 2000 silverado 3500, same story, two fuel pumps in 240,000 miles, you can tell when they start whining louder they are getting ready to self destruct

Bingo...

[Special T]

A little trick we have learned for dealing with in-tank fuel pumps in suburbans and tahoes, look under the truck and locate where the fuel pump is at on the tank, lift the carpet in the vehicle and cut a hole in the floor right above the pump, makes changing a fuel pump very easy. To plug the hole that you cut out, just cut a square piece of tin to cover the hole, screw it in place, lay the carpet back down. You could probably do the same thing with a pickup to save a lot of hassle if you don't mind a patch in your truck bed.

Older Subaru  wagons  had this hatch built in from the factory.

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[Boss .300 winmag]

A little trick we have learned for dealing with in-tank fuel pumps in suburbans and tahoes, look under the truck and locate where the fuel pump is at on the tank, lift the carpet in the vehicle and cut a hole in the floor right above the pump, makes changing a fuel pump very easy. To plug the hole that you cut out, just cut a square piece of tin to cover the hole, screw it in place, lay the carpet back down. You could probably do the same thing with a pickup to save a lot of hassle if you don't mind a patch in your truck bed.

Older Subaru  wagons  had this hatch built in from the factory.

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Yep, been there done that on a Subaru.

[Special T]

This thread has reminded me to put an access hatch in my Jeep Cherokee before I  roll some bead liner in the tub!

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[jackelope]

A little trick we have learned for dealing with in-tank fuel pumps in suburbans and tahoes, look under the truck and locate where the fuel pump is at on the tank, lift the carpet in the vehicle and cut a hole in the floor right above the pump, makes changing a fuel pump very easy. To plug the hole that you cut out, just cut a square piece of tin to cover the hole, screw it in place, lay the carpet back down. You could probably do the same thing with a pickup to save a lot of hassle if you don't mind a patch in your truck bed.

Older Subaru  wagons  had this hatch built in from the factory.

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Yep, been there done that on a Subaru.

There's a bunch of vehicles that have them. We're doing fuel pump recalls on Escapes right now that have access under the back seat. Can't remember what Chrysler cars have access in the trunk if I remember correctly. There's a few.  Some techs will lift the bed rather than drop the tank on pickups. 6 one way, a half dozen the other probably.

[Thehowler]

I put a access hatch in my Jeep Wrangler when  I had to replace the pump.

[goldenhtr]

A little trick we have learned for dealing with in-tank fuel pumps in suburbans and tahoes, look under the truck and locate where the fuel pump is at on the tank, lift the carpet in the vehicle and cut a hole in the floor right above the pump, makes changing a fuel pump very easy. To plug the hole that you cut out, just cut a square piece of tin to cover the hole, screw it in place, lay the carpet back down. You could probably do the same thing with a pickup to save a lot of hassle if you don't mind a patch in your truck bed.

Did this in my 94 chevy pickup. I have a bed liner so I never see it anyways. Youtube is your friend. Easy-peasy

[birddogdad]

You should be able to hear the fuel pump if you are down by the tank and have someone switch the key to accessory. It should have a high pressure rail, I would not recommend taking off the fuel line to test fuel flow!  Probably a pump, 200k mil s is well in the range for a failure. The failure to turn over has me a little worried, that is not fuel related. Lack of fuel should have let it turn over as normal, just not start.

Timing chain or belt is a possibility, though hopefully not.

electric pump in gas tank not engine compartment, key to run and listen... there may be a tip switch but not sure on that model.. either way, my money is on the tank pump for starting point

[dyhardhuntr]

You can always double check if the truck has a fuel filter, which it might. It’s located on the driver side frame rail adjacent to the tranny. Start easy and then go difficult😁 and for gods sake don’t use ether to spray in the intake. Some people don’t know how much is too much. It’s a good way to crack a piston ring. Good luck!


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[MacAttack]

I checked the mass airflow sensor and at first I thought it was it. I unplugged it and it ran for about 20 seconds until I turned it off. Then I went to get a new one and it wouldn't start. Back to square one. i had my buddy turn on the accessories and the fuel pump was not making any noise...so went and got a new fuel pump. Lifting the bed off was the hardest part, couple bolts gave me a tough time. Now truck is running great. Thanks for all the input!

[Timberstalker]

Glad you were able to get it repaired. 

[coachcw]

Sounds like a pump. Use the updated Delco one with new harness. U always change the fuse too. We could talk current draw and other tests if needed. I would also check the harness grounds on the left rear of engine and the one up near left engine mount . I have seen them break inside the insulation .on a rare occasion the pin tension in the underhood really Bock at fuel pump relay . Worth a look

[huntnfmly]

Good deal glad you got it fixed