Chevy 2500 Won't Start - Ideas?

kruser · Jul 11, 2010

Tried to start the pickup this afternoon to get the trailer and load the tractor. Spinning fine but no go (yep had gas). Did this last Saturday as well BUT after a $60 tow truck ride - started right up at the service place and they couldn't find anything wrong last Monday. Ran fine all week.

Truck has around 125,000 miles and the fuel pump (gas) was replaced about 80,000 miles ago. Out again? Have been told that Chevrolet pumps go out all of a sudden - kinda like what happened last time.

Any ideas - or just another ride to the GM Service? Thanks

Greenday · Jul 11, 2010

Yep, Sounds like the fuel pump. Its not uncommon for the fuel pump to quit working and then when they are towed it knocks everything around a little and they start working again for a while.

Old Roy · Jul 11, 2010

Is this throttle body injection ? My S-10 had similar problem if left set a couple days ... As soon as I would drop a little gas directly in carb
It would fire right up if not you could drain battery first.
It was suppose to have a new fuel pump in it when I got it about 2500 mile before this happened.

Truck sat a lot because it was a looker not a worker.I never kept a lot of gas in it till Id need it. I was told what made it go bad was I should have never left it below 1/4 tank.

I have a 2500 with the 350 in it now and was told may need a pump soon as he was starting to have starting problems I have kept it up over 1/4 and never down to reserve, {red area) I have put 8000 miles on it and has yet to let me down . (Knock on wood), It has 212,000 showing

460anger · Jul 11, 2010

Have a 1998 GMC 2500 with a 454. Did the same thing as yours. I replaced the pump. Same problem. Got tracing the wires from the fuel pump. Under the cab by the steering shaft, there was a plug. If you wiggled it, you would hear the pump run and you were good to go. I ended up putting a new plug on it, the old one was burnt up. That was 2 years ago. Haven't had any problems since. Hope this helps.

DCM · Jul 11, 2010

I would agree with the other posts regarding the fuelpump, have had to replace them on two different models.

shaun wallace · Jul 11, 2010

Check connector up next to plate where all the lines go thru. they burn and dont make good connection.

Flurette Farm · Jul 11, 2010

If you turn on the switch and hear the fuel pump running it may be the fuel pressure regular and not the fuel pump. At 125K I'd be inclined to think it may be the pressure reg.

old · Jul 11, 2010

Fuel pressure gauge is the best way to find out if it is the pump. Yep sort of having the same sort of problem as you are but on a different brand truck. Still goes back to what I have said in the past computers and cars/truck do not mix well. Electronic ignition and fuel injection ok but fuel pumps in the gas tank NO. To me if they are going to put all this extra junk on why not also add the computer screen that will let you know what all is going on. I mean what good is a computer unless it has a monitor so you can see what is going on

MarkB_MI · Jul 11, 2010

See if it will start on ether. It could be an ignition problem.

camju · Jul 11, 2010

i'd say fuel pump like others said don't run tank to low.Good friend of mine replaced 3 in his chev. had a hbbit of running out of gas only takes once and it will be fried shortly there after.he caried a hammer with and give the tank a good bang would getter going 2 or 3 times and that was it. Take the box off to change alot easier than dropping tank.freind cut a hole in box to axess after second one fried.

omahagreg · Jul 11, 2010

Yes, could easily be the fuel pump. I have a 1996 Z71, and the pump went out about 6 weeks ago. My old one made a humming noise for years, sure enough, no hum. Dad replaced it for me, and it works fine. About 2 years prior, mine has 2 battery cables on the positive post at the battery. It was dying sporatically, and figured out the closest to the battery was direct to the starter-so starter worked fine-but the second one went to the relays on the drivers side wheel well. Sure enough, the corrosion had punked up the bolt, and also the connection between these two ends. I had no juice going to the relays-among others, the fuel pump. Tried cleaning them, but still sporatic problems, finally replaced the cable to the relays, end of problem. Greg

MN Scott · Jul 11, 2010

Sometimes you can give the fuel tank a few whacks with whatever is handy and the pump will start running. Worth a try.

kruser · Jul 11, 2010

Forgot to mention - 2002 with 6.0 Vortec FI. Kinda wondering about fuel filter but was replaced about 6-8000 miles ago.

Oh well, might be another tow truck ride as we kinda need it next weekend.

Thanks
Jim

Anonymous-0 · Jul 11, 2010

Is there a relay or circuit breaker for the fuel pump that might be bad? Dave

Jeff in TX · Jul 11, 2010

This may sound crazy, but. I have a 2002 2500 HD and mine did that once. I worked on it all day and could not figure it out. Someone told me to check the fuses. I dont remember which fuse, but 1 of them had gotten hot from being loose and was loose at the time. I replaced it with a new fuse and never have had any more problems. Vibration will loosen them up and they will not make good connection. They will get hot and stay loose. May or may not blow. Mine didnt, but would stay tight. Replaced it and, good to go.

Howard H. · Jul 11, 2010

Does the dashboard light up when you turn the key to start it??

My Suburban started acting like that - but I noticed the dash wouldn't light up, even though everything seemed "normal" when trying to start it...

Come to find out, it was a connection (or switch - I don't remember exactly now) near the key switch in the steering column.

Howard

Bob · Jul 12, 2010

I don't see where he told us what year it is, but if it's '95 or newer it's NOT uncommon for the ignition switch to fail and intermittently not make contact to power up things such as the fuel pump.

Charles H. · Jul 12, 2010

This sounds like vapor lock but then your fuel pump is in the fuel tank to keep the fuel pump cool in hot weather, goggle the problem and see what you find there and follow the advice from the members here on keeping those connections clean.

VADAVE · Jul 12, 2010

Remember the old rule.
A gas engine requires 3 things to run. Gas; Air; and Spark.
Since it's turning over start checking each one of those 3.
If you think you're not getting gas pull the line at the injector rail and turn it over or just turn it on--an electric pump should start putting out gas.
Pull the air filter off and try starting it.
Oh, uh, yeah have your buddy-use-to-be grab a sparkplug wire and try starting it.
You'll find where the problem is.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 12, 2010

not sure on this model but i saw one that had security key setup that the key was worn and wouldn't make the internal connection. was told it was caused by having several keys on ring and weight of these caused wear on key. doesn't cost much to try your spare key.

El Toro · Jul 12, 2010

I would do as Old suggested and install a pressure gauge. I had a Chevy Citation with TBI
and it would just stop in the middle of the road or quit at a red light, but would usually restart.

Installed a pressure gauge and noticed when accelerating up a hill the pressure dropped. I drained the gas and dropped the tank. Had rust on the sock that was on the pickup tube on the pump. I cleaned the tank and installed a new pump. No more stall problems. Hal

cd1 · Jul 12, 2010

see if your dash is blinking the security thing, I had one of my trucks not start because the ignition did not read the "chip" in the head of the key, you have to wait 1/2 hour or so for it to reset, but if the system is broken its not going to start period. If i remember right it kills the ignition, cranks the engine but no spark

Chevy 2500 Won't Start - Ideas?

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