Help!! Truck wont start

Hello and thanks in advance.

I have a 2000 Silverado 1500 4.3 V6

Here is my problem.....

About a month ago I went to start the truck and it would not start. It just turned over, sounded like it wasn't getting any fuel. I opened the hood and removed the air intake from the throttle body, opened the throttle plate a few times and tried to start it again. It started. It started every time after that for a few weeks and then one morning it wouldn't start again. I did as I did before and it started, missed a little, then ran fine. I changed the fuel filter, a spark plugs. Didn't help. Then one day it decided no to start at all. I did the throttle plate trick and nothing. I had the truck towed home and called a mechanic. He said it sounded like a fuel pump problem and said to spray throttle body cleaner on the throttle plate and then try to start it, if it starts, then its a fuel pump. Well I tried that and it started. I drove it to him and he checked the fuel pressure on the engine side of the fuel filter and it was reading 55-57 psi. The truck doenst loose power after it starts or when excelerating. It will start every time as long as the engine is warm. Once you let it cool down it wont start without spraying the throttle body cleaner on the plate. I have been starting the truck this way for about 2 weeks now, but I need to get it fixed. Its driving me nuts!!!

If you know what this could be or have heard of the similar thing. Please help.

Welcome to AF, the Vortec requires around 60-65 psi to start properly.

Thanks, I guess I am going to have to buy an expensive fuel pump. :frown:

Anyone know where I can get a good fuel pump without going to the dealer?

Are you sure it's the pump/ It might be the fuel regulator.

As far as the pump, I would stick with the dealer in this case. the aftermarkets tend to be crap.

how do I find or check the fuel regulator?

I am not so sure it is the FPR. typically the FPR will show the opposite signs that you are having. In other words. It will start when cold, but not when warm. A FPR is not so cheap. they run about $100 at the dealership. You can get an aftermarket one for about $60, but I would expect bad gas milage with those.
I do not know of a way to test the FPR except to replace it and see if it fixes the problem, if it doesn't you can always take it back.

The FPR is located on the driverside of the intake manidfold. It is the size of a quarter. Follow the fuel line to the fuel rail. It is clipped in there just before the fuel rail.

I dont think it has a fuel rail on the side of the intake manifold. It is a V6 not V8

Then just follow the fuel to the throttle body.. you are bound to run into it :)