99 suburban intermitten no start

vjp64 · 10-07-2004, 09:43 AM

Can someone help me out.
I have a 99 GMC suburban 1500 4x4.
Just started having problems yesterday. Ran fine all day, then went out to run to the store and it wouldn't start. Turns over fine, plenty of juice in battery. After waiting a little while. And turning the ignition on and of it finally started. How do I check the fuel pump? What tells the pump to turn on? I have a funny feeling the engine isn't getting fuel.

slacker_53 · 10-07-2004, 03:21 PM

The fuel pump comes on when you turn your key to 'ON'. You should hear it pump up as soon as you turn on the key. It will pump up for a second and then stop.

If you hear the fuel pump pump up, check your fuel pressure regulator, if it is bad it can flood the engine, and when you get the excess fuel out of the way then the engine starts. If you notice the engine running rough when it is cold, that is another sign. The regulator is an easy check, just pull the vacuum hose off and if you get raw fuel, then it's bad. If you don't get raw fuel, it's probably good.

The second easy thing to check is the fuel filter. If it hasn't been changed for a while, it will be a good idea anyway.

Those are just two of the simplest and least expensive places to look. Sometimes I have a habit of looking at the hardest places first and it ends up being something simple.

Good luck!

-slacker

vjp64 · 10-07-2004, 06:18 PM

Thanks for the reply, and additional info I appreciate it.
When the problem occurs, I can't here the fuel pump run. Usually I can here it as it is pretty loud. Is that normal to be that noisey?
where is the relay located? Is there a way to check if the relay is bad?

slacker_53 · 10-08-2004, 12:23 PM

I'm not sure where the relay is located, maybe someone else will help you out on that one. You might look in the power center under the hood.

The fuel pump can be noisy because of a dirty fuel filter putting it under too much of a load. It seems like some of these trucks have a noisier pump than others though.

As I said, if you haven't changed the filter lately, it might be a good idea anyway.

-slacker

vjp64 · 10-08-2004, 03:58 PM

Will do.Thanks

010175 · 10-09-2004, 02:50 AM

I have a 99 4x4 and the fuel pump (inside the tank) went bad at 110,000 miles. The fuel filter is inline on the frame just under the drivers door. The pump was costly and you have to drop the tank. Search this forum for how too. Dave

chuck's · 10-09-2004, 07:34 PM

99 suburban fuel pump relay is located with the fuse panel under the hood.Checking the fuel pump regulator is not as easy as pulling the vaccum line off.The vortec engine has the regulator buried inside the intake plenum.It takes a few special tools to check the regulator.
chuck's

vjp64 · 10-11-2004, 07:34 AM

Thanks for all the Help. I tried the relay to eliminate the easy and most inevpensive but unfortuatly it was the fuel pump. I checked the voltage going to the pump and 12v was present. I couldn't hear the pump coming on so I was pretty sure that was the problem. Changing it isn't too bad but $ 250.00 for the new pump assembly was the killer.
The sad part is I just bought this truck back in August.

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