1997 C1500 failing to start - intermittent

[aikenjt]

305 5.0L V8, 194,000 miles. About a month ago I cranked it up, put it in gear and it stalled. It wouldn't crank after that, only turn over. Waited about 2mins and tried again and it started right up. Cranked and ran fine for another 2 weeks. Then, while driving down the road after getting a mile or so it stuttered for just a second and continued on fine for another 2 weeks. Yesterday, it cranked up and got to the end of the drive, gave it a little gas and it stalled. Wouldn't crank for another 2 or so mins. Cranked it and it ran. Turned off to see if would crank again and it wouldn't until this morning after about 5 tries. I've had the fuel pump changed out twice over the years. Last time probably 2 years ago, but each time the pump just went out all at once and it wouldn't crank again after that. Now, its intermittent. When it is failing I do hear the pump run for a few seconds and then quit. I believe thats normal, but still no crank. Could the fuel pressure regulator cause these symptoms? Or do you think its the pump again?

Thanks in advance

[maddoggy71]

Is the engine turning over properly but not starting? If so, I'd check all the ignition/spark grounds. Wire brush and use dielectric grease on all the contacts... especially the coil ground/connections.


Or is the engine not turning over at all?? If so, your solenoid on the starter might be starting to go out. Also, make sure the ground coming off the battery is ok. I had the grounding bolt on the battery ground break on me and it took awhile to find the problem (I replaced the battery and starter and the engine still wouldn't crank over).

[aikenjt]

Yeah, it was turning over. I checked the relay and it was fine. I put a fuel pressure gauge on it while it failed and it just so happend the pump wasn't running like I thought it was during failure. So, I wound up breaking it down and replacing the pump today. I also found the pump pigtail charred on the positive lead at one connector. So, replaced that too. More than likely that connection (both female and male connections were charred) was the culprit, but changed the pump, too, to be safe. Seems fine now, but only time will really tell.

Thanks for your post!