98 Blazer gas line freeze or fuel pump?

radiomike45 · 11-29-2005, 05:18 PM

OK...looks like my 98 Blazer is not liking it's first cold winter in awhile here in North Dakota. I went out this morning to warm up the Blazer and it started just fine. It ran for 20 minutes...everything defrosted (we just had a blizzard yesterday and ice storm the night before). I didn't have to leave right then, so I cut off the engine, then came back 15 minutes later. It started back up...left it for 2 minutes, and came back out and it was not running. It then would not start. It wanted to..but sounded like it had no gas. Well, I had between empty and a 1/4 of a tank (which I know is low) so I thought maybe a gas line freeze. I dumped some gas into it and got over a half tank, put a bottle of iso-heet in it as well. I then put a little gas in the Carb..just to make sure the engine would run..and it started right up...then it shut off..because no gas was getting to it. I figure, either some mositure got into the line and froze..(but why did it run 20 min before?) or maybe the fuel pump crapped out. It has shown no signs of starting bad before. I have pushed it into a garage, and have heaters trying to warm the engine and underneath up. Any ideas??

mike2004tct · 11-29-2005, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiomike45

OK...looks like my 98 Blazer is not liking it's first cold winter in awhile here in North Dakota. ??

Can you hear your pump prime when you turn your Ignition key to on (not start?) It should hum for about 3 seconds to prime the lines.

radiomike45 · 11-29-2005, 07:15 PM

I do not hear that hum....it should come from the back part of the blazer (gas tank) right? I just got this Blazer back from a family member, so I don't think much was done to it....heck don't even think the fuel filter has been changed. I don't have a manual on this thing, not familer with Blazers....so can you tell me where the fuel filter is located?? I'm thinking since I don't hear the pump priming..or any hum from the back...the pump could be the problem. Any chance of anything freezing back there??

mike2004tct · 11-29-2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiomike45

I do not hear that hum....it should come from the back part of the blazer (gas tank) right? I just got this Blazer back from a family member, so I don't think much was done to it....heck don't even think the fuel filter has been changed. I don't have a manual on this thing, not familer with Blazers....so can you tell me where the fuel filter is located?? I'm thinking since I don't hear the pump priming..or any hum from the back...the pump could be the problem. Any chance of anything freezing back there??

Sure does sound like the pump (or doesn't sound at all-the pump that is).
The fuel filter is located on the inside of the frame rail under the driver side of the truck, close to the driver's seat.
Also on the driver's side of the truck, under the hood somewhere along the fender well towards the firewall, you should find a red wire with a lug on it. This wire is the pump prime wire for testing the pump. Run a 12V wire from the battery to this wire to test the pump. You should be able to hear the pump prime. This test would eliminate Ignition switch or ECM problems if the pump doesn't hum.

The best way to test the pump is to use a pressure gauge attached to the schrader valve on the fuel rail and check the pump pressure with the key in both the off and on position. (most people don't have these, that's why I mentioned the other easy tests)
Good luck.

radiomike45 · 11-29-2005, 09:55 PM

OK....we'll do that test in the morning. I was talking to a buddy of mine who has changed a fuel pump in a toyota 4 runner..and that had a panel you removed on the tank to get to it. He believes you have to remove the gas tank on the blazer..is that correct...and what is the proper procedure. Also..estimate cost on a new fuel pump..thanks!

DINO55 · 11-29-2005, 11:27 PM

You do have to remove the gas tank to get to the fuel pump. New pumps very in price from $100 to $350 depending where you go for it. Spray some WD40 on the tank strap bolts and change the fuel filter too.

corning_d3 · 11-29-2005, 11:55 PM

and don't forget a new fuel pump strainer...

radiomike45 · 11-30-2005, 07:56 AM

OK....going to test the fuel pump with a 12v wire from the battery to the red wire along the drivers side wheel well. I only see one red wire, it's about 2 inches long and is attached to a yellowish plastic type, almost looks like a fuse container. The red wire goes from the top, to the bottom, and on the bottom of the red wire...it forms a circle, almost like it could be held to the bottom of this yellowish container with a nut. First of all, there is no nut, I can pull that bottom part of the wire out..and second, there was a "mud dabber" beehive attached to the bottom part of that area. Meaning, there was red clay all over the bottom part of that connection....clay dirt in other words. So...is this the red wire to test the fuel pump? There is another wire that goes into the top of this part...and the tag says "caution s1r or sir circut". This little yellowish container is connected to the side of the wheel well by blue plastic clamps..looks like I could pull the part out if I wanted to. Is this the red wire I am looking for?

radiomike45 · 11-30-2005, 09:39 AM

PS: on the above message..that wire looks a little more orange then red..or a very faded red, but it's the only one I can find along the inside wheel well.........

BlazerLT · 11-30-2005, 09:45 AM

Ok, hold on guys, he is saying it is running now so why are you telling him to replace a pump based on one stall occurence.

The fuel filter more than likely needs to be changed and remember everyone, keep your tank full in the winter time so you don't get any condensation in there. You don't need de-icer, just keep it full.

Also, don't let it run for 20 minutes in the winter like that, it is just a huge waste of gas. Start it and let it run for 5 minutes and then pull away and just be easy on the acceleration.

radiomike45 · 11-30-2005, 10:12 AM

Hey "Blazer LT" thanks for the response....but it is NOT running. It ran for 20 min....I shut if off...came back 15 min later..it ran for a few minutes before it cut off..since then....it has not started. I tested the engine by putting a little gas in the carb and using carb cleaner and it starts right up until that burns off. I am hearing no sound coming from the back of the vehicle when I turn on the ignition. Even with a clogged fuel line around the gas filter ..you should still hear a "hum" from the fuel pump right?? I also switched the relays in the control box with another of the same type to make sure it was not that..and it wasn't. This red wire that "mike2004" told me about to run a 12v wire from the battery to..has me a little stumped..since I only found one, and it was leaning orange in color, on the inside drivers side fender (see above for description). Just trying to eliminate all other possibilities before I spend $500 bucks on a fuel pump and installation for Christmas....

BlazerLT · 11-30-2005, 10:27 AM

My mistake, missed a part there. Sorry guys.

Yea, sounds like the pump popped.

mike2004tct · 11-30-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiomike45

OK....going to test the fuel pump with a 12v wire from the battery to the red wire along the drivers side wheel well.

So...is this the red wire to test the fuel pump? There is another wire that goes into the top of this part...and the tag says "caution s1r or sir circut". This little yellowish container is connected to the side of the wheel well by blue plastic clamps..looks like I could pull the part out if I wanted to. Is this the red wire I am looking for?

If the wire tag says "SIR" stay away from it, It's related to the air bag.
(Supplemental Inflatable Restraint).
The red wire you're looking for should be a wire sticking out of the harness cord all by itself.

corning_d3 · 11-30-2005, 12:55 PM

Leave any yellow wires and harness' alone!!!!!!!

radiomike45 · 11-30-2005, 01:03 PM

Yep...a friend told me he thought that had something to do with the airbag as well. Well if anything, got the mud beehive off around that part of the engine! Thanks to everyone that responded. Going to get the fuel pump and filter replaced. Napa sells it for about $300 bucks. One mechanic quoted me $450 - $500 for part and install, 2 others quoted me $800-$850 total...wow what a difference!! They said that the 98 blazer 4 door LS had a more expensive fuel pump system...however like I said, I priced it at Napa for $300 bucks, any addition should be labor and taxes......

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