1995 Astro won't start...fuel pressure is suspect

[rhessner]

I have a 1995 Astro with a 4.3 Vortec (CMFI). It won't start. When checking the fuel pressure it goes up to about 20psi when you turn the key to the run position and then drops to zero as soon as the pump stops running. If I try to crank the engine the pressure will get up as high as 40psi and then drop back to zero as soon as I stop cranking.

Before you point to the obvious, I have replaced EVERYTHING in my fuel system. Both the fuel sock and the inline filter, fuel pump and even the CMFI spider in the intake plenum. There are two things the Chilton Manual talks about that I haven't been able to find 1. fuel pump test connector and 2. the fuel dampener (pulsator).

I am ready to push it off a cliff! Any help would be great...

Please email me as well as post

[email protected]

Thanks for the assistance.

[rhessner]

OK. After some more research on other threads I found a guy with almost the same problem. Through that post I have located the Pulsator and it would be the one part I have not replaced so this morning I am off the autozone to spend the last $20.99 I am spending before I lose my mind!

[rhessner]

ARRRRRRRRGH! It was the pulsator! I am glad it is finally fixed but I wish i would have replaced the $20 part before the other $500 I spent! Oh well, lesson learned!

[borka]

help,help . my 95 astro won't start when cold . i thought was pump ,but i checked and its ok ., i suspect maby is fuel pulsator ??? same problem like yours . please tell me where is located . because i have no idea. mechanic telling me that i should change spyder , im thinking he wants to make some extra cash...

[rhessner]

How did you check your pump? If you pulled your tank and looked at you pump first hand then you saw the pulsator! It is the little box looking thing that connects the pump to the hard line inside the tank. If you buy a new fuel pump it will come with two clamps and about an inch of fuel line. Those three things are intended to REPLACE the pulsator. There is the cheap fix, I just didn't read the instructions that came with my fuel pump! (Does ANYONE disconnect the battery EVERY time they work on their vehicle?) Or you can go to autozone and buy or their web site and order part number FP27. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out.

[borka]

thanks a lot . finaly my headache is over .. it was a pump ,but i also replaced pulsator ,jus in case......