Is the fuel pump really bad?

[flyinggreasemnky]

Well, after reading other posts I want to ask advice as to whether Auto Analyst's mechanics have found the real problem.

Here is what happened: I came out of work and tried to start my 94' Jimmy (W engine) and it would start to turn and then stop. I could here the starter going but it sounded like it disengaged before the engine started. So I replaced the starter (in a parking garage during a very cold Michigan winter); glad I saw the post about removing the bell housing. While removing the old starter the ignition wire end broke so I crimped on a new end. When I tried to start my Jimmy, the engine would crank over but not start. I worried that it was turning to slowly so I took my battery to be tested and it wouldn't take a charge. So I had to replace the battery as well. After this the engine still wouldn't start.

I noticed that my fuel pump was not priming my system when I turned the key to on and at this point, it got to cold and I was too tired to deal with it. So I had it towed after the weekend. When it got to the shop, it apparently started right up. The shop said it was running fine and was giving good fuel pressure. So they charged me $70 and I drove it home. When I got home, it wouldn't start again (making me late for class). They towed it back and are now saying that the fuel pump is bad and needs to be replaced. Does this make sense? Would the fuel pump be intermittently going on and producing good pressure if it was bad? After reading other posts, it sounds more like it would be the ignition switch to me. Any help would be appreciated as to questions I can ask them if they had performed the right tests.

[rlith]

Originally Posted by flyinggreasemnky

Well, after reading other posts I want to ask advice as to whether Auto Analyst's mechanics have found the real problem.

Here is what happened: I came out of work and tried to start my 94' Jimmy (W engine) and it would start to turn and then stop. I could here the starter going but it sounded like it disengaged before the engine started. So I replaced the starter (in a parking garage during a very cold Michigan winter); glad I saw the post about removing the bell housing. While removing the old starter the ignition wire end broke so I crimped on a new end. When I tried to start my Jimmy, the engine would crank over but not start. I worried that it was turning to slowly so I took my battery to be tested and it wouldn't take a charge. So I had to replace the battery as well. After this the engine still wouldn't start.

I noticed that my fuel pump was not priming my system when I turned the key to on and at this point, it got to cold and I was too tired to deal with it. So I had it towed after the weekend. When it got to the shop, it apparently started right up. The shop said it was running fine and was giving good fuel pressure. So they charged me $70 and I drove it home. When I got home, it wouldn't start again (making me late for class). They towed it back and are now saying that the fuel pump is bad and needs to be replaced. Does this make sense? Would the fuel pump be intermittently going on and producing good pressure if it was bad? After reading other posts, it sounds more like it would be the ignition switch to me. Any help would be appreciated as to questions I can ask them if they had performed the right tests.

It may be an intermitten electrical issue with the fuel pump (brushes heating up and losing contact)l.....,

[amac209]

next time it won't start beat on the bottom of the fuel tank with a hammer , sometimes this will start a pump thats on it's way out. pumps die in these things all the time. make sure the fuel filter is replaced if a new pump is installed.

[flyinggreasemnky]

Originally Posted by amac209

next time it won't start beat on the bottom of the fuel tank with a hammer , sometimes this will start a pump thats on it's way out. pumps die in these things all the time. make sure the fuel filter is replaced if a new pump is installed.

Thanks amac, this actually worked so now I know its bad.