Fuel Pump??

[fire24resque]

2001 Silverado 4x4 1500... 116,000 miles

I have that standard bouncing fuel guage issues that everyone seems to have with these trucks. That's not the issue, here is the new one and I want to see if anyone else had this problem before I rip the fuel pump out and it was something much more simple.

When I try to start my truck on the first attempt(cold or hot), the motor will crank away till the battery dies and it won't start. If I turn the key and allow the motor to crank for about 2 seconds, stop for 2, try again for 2, stop for 2, on the third time the truck will start. Sometimes it fires right up on the 3rd try, sometimes it chokes a little but normally 3rd try is the charm. I already investigated the fuel pump relay, it's not that. So what I am left to believe is the fuel pump itself is acting up. When I turn the key to the on position I can hear it hum and prime itself everytime, but it still won't start till about the third attempt. If I turn the key on and off 3 times also (letting the pump run it's 5 second course) and not trying to start the truck, normally it will start on the third try too.

I figure if it was dirty injectors I'd be seeing a problem when driving and I'm not, runs fine. And I just changed the fuel filter in the past 2 months.

Anything else I should check before I replace the fuel pump?
Second to that, if it comes to it, I'm assuming dropping the tank is much easier than removing the bed to do this job?

Thanks!

[mcconnell45]

I had a similar issue like this on my 1999 Silverado 5.3L. Didn't happen everytime I started the truck but happened enough to be a problem. I was told to try replacing the Fuel pressure regulator first before going in to more expensive parts. Regulator goes for about 40-50bucks and is not very hard to install/remove. I replaced that and it started like a charm for the next few years before I traded it in. On the 5.3L V8 the regulator is located on the driver side fuel line just above fuel rail..kind of a round 2-3dia part. Best of luck.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by fire24resque

2001 Silverado 4x4 1500... 116,000 miles

I have that standard bouncing fuel guage issues that everyone seems to have with these trucks. That's not the issue, here is the new one and I want to see if anyone else had this problem before I rip the fuel pump out and it was something much more simple.

When I try to start my truck on the first attempt(cold or hot), the motor will crank away till the battery dies and it won't start. If I turn the key and allow the motor to crank for about 2 seconds, stop for 2, try again for 2, stop for 2, on the third time the truck will start. Sometimes it fires right up on the 3rd try, sometimes it chokes a little but normally 3rd try is the charm. I already investigated the fuel pump relay, it's not that. So what I am left to believe is the fuel pump itself is acting up. When I turn the key to the on position I can hear it hum and prime itself everytime, but it still won't start till about the third attempt. If I turn the key on and off 3 times also (letting the pump run it's 5 second course) and not trying to start the truck, normally it will start on the third try too.

I figure if it was dirty injectors I'd be seeing a problem when driving and I'm not, runs fine. And I just changed the fuel filter in the past 2 months.

Anything else I should check before I replace the fuel pump?
Second to that, if it comes to it, I'm assuming dropping the tank is much easier than removing the bed to do this job?

Thanks!

Before throwing parts at it or trying to match it to somebody's else problems.
Do some fuel pump and pressure testing.

First tell us what engine you have.

[j cAT]

the problem you have appears to be a fuel pump...the pressures must be measured to issue this is the problem..since it does start the pressures are most likely in the low 50's psi...

the pressure with the key to start no cranking should be 53-62 psi...and stay in this range when the engine is running ..

when replacing the pump the use delphi as this is the one that works best,,,others fail soon...

checking the ground connections at the fuel pump on frame rail and replacing the relay is a good idea...don't want to damage a new pump with a bad electrical source/ground return...