Engine won't start

Tiny
GROMMET
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hiya Raz. Well, I pulled the tank again and checked the pump. It fired up right away when I bench tested it, and I did about 30 cycles of on/ off. This left the sending unit / harness.

I discovered when I checked for continuity that the plug on the inside of the tank had a melted socket, so went ahead and replaced it. Now, however when I go to start the vehicle, it will do the same thing it first did when I started having this problem.

It starts, for a few seconds, but it only starts on the fuel thats in the rail. Then it dies and throws the same code, "p1351".

Then it won't start.I try and try, but nothing. I wait a while with the ignition off, but sometimes that won't do it. It cranks and cranks. So I replaced the relay, but same thing.

There was a burnt pin under the fuel relay in the fuse block. If you looked down on the fuse block, it would be the upper right pin. Don't remember that color wire, but could that have caused the burn out in the tank, or vise versa? Could this have burnt out something in the PCM?

It's done this exact thing with 3 different ICM's now, until I guess the wire in the tank heated up so bad that the plastic insulated the contacts and it wouldn't run anymore.

Thank you,
Mike
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do you hear the fuel pump come On for 2secs when you turn key on-if so check the actual fuel pressure if its within specs with a fuel pressure tester-If not check Ign E fuse 10 amp, fuel pump balance relay and fuel pump balance module

The balance fuel pump module controls the coil side of the fuel pump balance relay that's located at inside left side of frame rail near transmission crossmember

It starts, for a few seconds, but it only starts on the fuel thats in the rail. Then it dies and throws the same code, "p1351".

Then it won't start.I try and try, but nothing-When it does this be looking for spark too!
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE NORDSTEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 147,000 MILES
When I was recently driving down the highway at 60 MPH, it quit running. It was like someone just shut off the key. This had happened to me a couple weeks earlier at a stop light in town and it started right up again. At that time, the tank was near empty, so I thought the low fuel had something to do with it. This time, however, there was over a half of tank of gas in it. Anyway, when I pulled over to the side of the road, it would not start. I figured it was a bad fuel pump, but a buddy of mine who has some pretty decent mechanical knowledge came and looked at it. He pulled the cover off the carburator and pured some gasoline into it. We tried to start it, and nothing. He figured if it was the fuel pump, that by putting some gas in the carburator, it would at least start up and run until it burned that little bit of fuel up. He then removed a wire from one of the spark plugs and connected a spark plug to it and layed it on something metallic. We cranked it, hoping we could see some arcing from the spark plug --- nothing! At that point, he told me that it looked like it wasn't getting any spark, and the problem wasnt very likely the fuel pump. Any idea what it could be? Could it be a bad relay? I'm afraid I am going to have to take it to a mechanic, but I would at least like to have some idea of what it could be before taking it in. Thank you for your help!
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSUNSHINE79
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
The service engine soon light came on while driving, when I got home I plugged in my diagnostic code reader and it read for the O2 sensor then I cleared the code, went to start truck and now the truck only cranks! I have cleared that code many times b4, the truck has spark and it is getting fuel.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVIN12881
  • MEMBER
  • 336 POSTS
Is it getting enough fuel? Do you know how to check fuel pressure? You can rent the part from advanced and they will tell you how to use it on your truck
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN REARICH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
97 Suburban with 5.7 It starts fine first thing in the morning. After its been warmed up and operated, and you stop and let it sit for more than an hour, it acts like it has no fuel. You have to crank the engine 2 or three times and then it fires off as if its only hitting on 2 or 3 cylenders. You can smell a heavy gas smell for the first 20 seconds and then it runs just fine. Fuel pump was replaced along with the injectors and all manifold gaskets. Looking for help. I'm guessing fuel pressure regulator? Anyone else have this problem?
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge designed for your fuel system with and w/o vacuum to the regulator to rule out the FPR/Fuel pump.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIBBSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 13,800 MILES
I have a 1997 Suburban K1500, 5.7L. It was running fine, but failed to start one morning. It turns over, but appears to not be getting fuel. Adding fuel directly to the TBI will permit it to start and run for a few seconds. We have recently had very cold weather (below 0) and I thought it might have a frozen fuel line. The weather has been above freezing now, but still no luck.

The fuse looks ok, and the relay appears to be working, but I do not hear the fuel pump pre-charging when turning the ignition to accessory. I havent been able to get under to check the fuel filter due to lots of snow. It has about 30 gal of fuel in the tank, so I am hoping someone may have a sugestion of more things to check before I go through the problems of dropping the tank to check the wiring harness and fuel pump.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hello
Thanks for the donation.

Cold weather is very harsh on electrical components.

Chances are that if the fuel pump is not kicking in, you will need to test wiring and fuses. Test the fuses and relays for proper volts. Also test pump to see if it is getting power if relays/fuses are.

You stated that the relay "appears to be working", so does this mean that you tested it? Electrical components can be tricky so if you didn't test the relay, you can follow the provided link and test the relay per instructions to ensure it is working properly.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for using 2carpros. Com!
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIBBSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the quick response! I did not test the relay for voltage, but I can feel it clicking when the ignitiion is turned on.

You said to follow the provided link to test the relay, but I don't see a link. Can you repost?

Thanks!
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hehe, sorry about that. Here is to link. I forgot the paste it last time..

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_do_i_check_a_relay.htm
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY BURBAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Fuses good
Getting gas
Starter good
Battery good
My 97 chevy suburban will not start it will crank & sounds Strong while doing so but it will not actouly start & run.
It also is over runing when I turn the key off the motor rocks like its still trying to turn.
I know this could be Timing but is there any thing else it could be?
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

How was it running prior to it not starting?

When was last tune-up/ Plugs, Cap and Rotor? A corroded Cap and rotor will cause similar conditions.

Did the engine light come on at anytime?

Try this locate TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) and Disconnect, then try to start. If starts replace TPS.

Post results.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The ignition timing is not adjustable.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNEAKY66
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Chevy Suburban V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Hi there,
The problem I have is the car will fire up. Runs for a little while then dies and refuses to start again, unless left for a while.
It first did this at a set of traffic lights, but finally fired after about twenty mins. Drove the car forward at this point but when I touched the brakes it cut out. Had to leave for a while before it would start.
Car was taken by low-loader to garage and they reckoned it was the coil. Fitted new one, but this did not sort the problem. Mechanics seem a bit stumped. Must add - they are stumped because I am in Scotland and they have not dealt with Chevys before !
Any advice of how to cure this would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Pete
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get the fuel pressure check and test the fuel pump relay
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNEAKY66
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi there,
Thanks for prompt reply.
I will pass information on to the garage when they come back from holiday, and then hopefully I can get my car back !

Thanks again
Pete
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GMORONI36
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
So my truck stopped getting fuel and I replaced the pump and it started and got about 2 miles down the road and it stalled and wouldn't start again. I noticed that my ground had broke to the pump so I repaired that and replaced the pump but it is still not running there is no gas getting to the engine. I was thinking it might be the sending unit but before I replace it I was hoping for some advice. I tested the sending unit and not all wires were getting power. But electrical is my weak point so. And I replaced the filter a short while before the pump.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check your fuel pump relay under hood and it's the gray wire leading to pump to power it. Also check fuses under hood as well as fusible links by starter.
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Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM (Merged)

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