won't start, please help

[bugsoup]

I have a '97 Silverado with a 305 ci. Last week, during an hour long drive on the highway, the fuel gauge started to fluctuate dramatically (anywhere from actually level to pinned at the right). The fluctuation happened with bumps in the road and changes in gas pedal position. The engine did not seem to lose power while running but after a night of sitting the engine refused to start without stromping on the gas and holding it until the RPMs were at about 2000. Now, after a week of sitting, holding the gas during starting doesn't help. The engine has no problems turning over and I think I can here the spark plugs fire. My guess is a fuel sender/pump is not working. I am not familiar with the truck. How are the pump and sender arranged in the truck? Could this be the problem?

thanks
Scott

[mobilemechanic]

your problem is either the fuel pump or in the spider under the manifold ..first hevae someone help you ..you get unde the truck and get right next to the fuel tank and have your freind turn the key to on and see if you hear the fuel pump humming ..if no humming ..probably the pump let loose..next open upo the snorkel and spray a shot of either into the snorkel slide in back on the filter fast and try to start it ,,,if it runs and stays running fine then shut it off ,,if it fails to start right back up replace the pump...remember you can buy just the pump at the dealer not the whole unit ..if you are having problems with the fuel sending unit change the whole unite ..it should cost you about 330.00 for whole unit and about 87.00 for pump fromt he dealer ..later