97 Astro Does Not Get Fuel

[97astrovan]

My 97 Astro Van my wife drives stopped and could not be restarted. I sprayed some starting fluid in and it starts briefly. I've replaced the fuel pump once already, but a few years ago. Sounds like I will have to pay big bucks to replace the fuel pump again, but I'm concerned that maybe the pump is okay and it might be something else, like a relay/fuse or connection... any suggestiions or thoughts?

[97astrovan]

The astro has about 135,000 miles, the fuel pump was original replaced at about 75,000 miles.

[tableman]

Your van will have a fuel pump relay in the engine compartment fuse box, on the drivers side, when you take the fuse box cover off, inside the cover is a fuse/relay identification so it will be easy to figure out which one it is. When you just turn the key on to the start position can you hear the fuel pump start up? it will be like a whirring noise coming from the left rear. There are other things that will affect fuel delivery like the fuel regulator, injectors, and the oil pressure switch, if there is no oil pressure, or the switch is bad, the fuel pump relay will shut off the fuel pump, but this usually would happen while driving.

[97astrovan]

I checked the relays (how can you tell if they are bad?) and made sure they were seated well. Later I switched around the relays--since they were all the same specs. None of this made any difference.
I finally decided to have it towed into Pep Boys for repairs (they had the best price and warrantly -- Lifetime on part, 3 mos on labor). Maybe I should have done the work myself, but its cold in my driveway...I just hope it gets fixed and there are no more problems with fuel delivery or the fuel gauge (not working), or any of the connector wires...

[tableman]

It is hard to test a relay, you can feel click on and off when you turn the key on, but if it does do that, you are still not sure the contacts are making contact.
Let us know what the garage fixed, when you get it back
Good luck

[97astrovan]

Yep, the new fuel pump (assembly) from Pep Boys fixed the problem.
Fuel pump assembly cost $300, labor cost about $230.

So, this is my second pump. The first lasted about 75,000 miles, the second about 60,000 miles. The new pump comes wiht a lifetime warrenty but only 3 months on labor. Again, this pump went out one week. Resarted for a few days without any problems wath so ever, then went completely out after a few days.

[drew300]

Is it me or do these vehicles eat these pumps? Can't they engineer one that lasts? Or make it easy to change?
I'm told (and read) that my hard starting problem is likely the pump.
After-market suppliers quote around $550 Canadian, GM wants $860 Canadian. This doesn't include labour.
One friend suggested getting a newish tank/pump from the auto wreckers.
Opinions and experience would be appreciated.

[CD Smalley]

Well the first pump in my 92 lasted over 200K miles. My father inlaw's 92 p/u used to eat them as well. He was told by the dealer tech to keep the tank over 1/4 full at all times. The pumps use the fuel in the tank to keep cool. If you're running around on 1/4 tank alot, you will burn up pumps....

BTW, the in tank pump in my 91 p/u had 175K miles on it and was going strong when I got rid of the truck...

[drew300]

I haven't changed it yet, but it seems to be getting worse. I've read about keeping the fuel level in the tank up. Isn't it nice to know your 20 gal. tank is only usefully 15 gal.? That's about 35 lbs of coolant for the fuel pump.The engine does better.

[97Safari2wd]

Well the main reason they are so hard to change is because you have to remove the tank , i once had to change the pump in a 1988 Ford festiva , they had a acess panel in the rear of the car so you could change the pump from the inside.thats one option if you feel like cutting a hole in your floor under your carpet that you can use to get your pump back out of when it needs to be changed. As i said just an option.