Truck died while driving

[th3 shifty]

So my daughter was driving and the truck just died. It cranks but won’t run, I can hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the ignition on, but it’s like a loud odd sound, not like a normal hum.

when the pumps go bad, do they do this, or are they just dead? Never had a fuel pump go out.

 

[89Suburban]

Hit the bottom fuel tank with your fist or a rubber mallet and see if it kicks in.

 

[OR VietVet]

That loud noise almost sounds like it lost prime. Just guessing at this point. How full is the tank? How old is the filter? Leaving a fuel filter on too long can cause the pump to work so hard it will burn itself up but that usually means no noise at all. Fluid pumping motors will make a louder sound when prime is lost. Check fuel pressure. Do you have spark? Basics first.

 

[Big Mama]

And how much gas is in it? If low or was low try the rubber mallet as Ron mentioned it sounds starved. It’s free......

 

[th3 shifty]

1/2 tank, I’ll try that and see if it works,

fuel filter probably has 12k miles on it, I have a new one ready to change it.

I need to get it home first, it’s like 2miles away, a friend of mine is going to help me tow it home tomorrow afternoon

 

[drakon543]

so ive had this happen on an astro van and the pump setup is the same. real wierd sound and either not running at all or running so poorly it might as well not be running. as your at half a tank also makes me think you have a similar issue i did with that old astro work van. the hose that connects the fuel pump to the sending unit sits at about the 1/2 tank level. gas drops below that and bam nothing but fuel pump issues. only way i can see testing that would be to put more gas in it but it would still run like garbage. i had to limp that astro van for about 2 weeks before they let me fix it.

 

[th3 shifty]

Got the truck back home, just pulled the fuel filter, I can easily blow through it so it was not clogged. Thinking of pulling the tank and changing the fuel pump, sounds like it’s stuck or something inside the pump is broke, it obviously has power going to it

 

[th3 shifty]

so ive had this happen on an astro van and the pump setup is the same. real wierd sound and either not running at all or running so poorly it might as well not be running. as your at half a tank also makes me think you have a similar issue i did with that old astro work van. the hose that connects the fuel pump to the sending unit sits at about the 1/2 tank level. gas drops below that and bam nothing but fuel pump issues. only way i can see testing that would be to put more gas in it but it would still run like garbage. i had to limp that astro van for about 2 weeks before they let me fix it.

And what was the final fix for it? New pump?

 

[drakon543]

And what was the final fix for it? New pump?

well technically if you catch it fast enough before the pump burns out you could just replace the rubber hose. but you have to drop the tank to do it anyway might as well do the fuel pump while your there. for a more visual test if you do drop the tank when you get the sending unit free. while your holding the sending unit you can check for splits in the rubber hose. if you dont see any leave the pump screen in the gasoline and have someone cycle the key.

 

[drakon543]

tried to find a good picture of what im talking about but i cant find one that shows it well enough. either way your going to find either a rubber hose or a piece of flexible type hose coming off the top of the pump itself. ive also heard it rumored to actually have the pump fall off in some cases either due to the plastic hose clamps failing or the hose failing.

 

[th3 shifty]

Well tomorrow I’m off all day so I’ll be attacking that gas tank

 

[drakon543]

also your avatar is 90s and you posted in the 90s section so ill give you one other thing to take a look at thats easier just incase. distributors and the coil can be a source of a random sudden death. coil can suddenly give out and start arcing through the casing. distributors are terrible for moisture and it will generally be sudden. sometimes a sudden terrible rough operation or suddenly just stops running.

 

[OR VietVet]

Your gonna pull the tank for the pump without checking the fuel pressure?

 

[th3 shifty]

Your gonna pull the tank for the pump without checking the fuel pressure?

no I will check that, just seems it’s heading Its heading in that direction, this sound from the pump is NOT normal. Something is going on inside there, and it seems either way, that the problem is related to this issue.

On a side note, when I got the truck back into the garage, I cycled the key to again hear this crazy whine, then within 2-5 min I had the front line of the fuel filter off, o pressure in the line, it barely dribbled out, and I collected about 1 ounce of fuel

 

[Emery Lee]

Check fuel pressure at engine before you get to the fuel pump at tank. Waste of a lot of work if it's not the pump in the tank. I believe there is a schader valve you can hook up a test gauge to. Easy check if u have the gauge.

 

[OR VietVet]

Get the gauge and hook up at the schrader valve that should look like this:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9913472&cc=1061356&jsn=2258

 

[th3 shifty]

Confirmed, 10psi fuel pressure under prime or cranking

 

[OR VietVet]

Well, then replace the alternator. We all know that is the problem and is easier to replace.

 

[th3 shifty]

Well, then replace the alternator. We all know that is the problem and is easier to replace.

Alternator?

what are you talking about lol, think you mean fuel pump right?

 

[OR VietVet]

I was just being stupid. Yes, replace the fuel pump, the filter at the same time and I always recommend the fuel pump relay at the same time.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=90717&cc=1061356&jsn=2281


https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=91205&cc=1061356&jsn=2256

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1141153&cc=1061356&jsn=2333