Any ideas on what would make it not hardly run and no engine light on?

2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
20,800 MILES
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REAGANX5
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  • 3 POSTS
Was driving home and noticed the engine light flashing. When going around a corner at a slow speed it died. Would start but ran very rough and you had to keep giving it gas to keep running. Towed home and once home the engine light is no longer on. Changed fuel filter & spark plugs. No code is being thrown. A friend checked the fuel pressure and says there is no pressure and thinks it the fuel pump. Just replaced the fuel pump about 2 years ago.....probably less than 40,000 put on since then. When it quit someone stopped and there was fuel pressure under the hood. It shot out. Any ideas on what this could be?
May 29, 2012 at 10:16 AM
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REAGANX5
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That is 208,000 miles!
May 29, 2012 at 10:16 AM
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FIXITMR
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  • 9,989 POSTS
so it's still having the problem? what did plugs look like?
May 29, 2012 at 11:51 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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  • 6,106 POSTS
Retest the fuel pressure. What sort of pressure, if any, is the pump delivering? If nothing, see if the pump is receiving power. If not check the relay and the fuse.

Then have it scanned for soft codes. The blinking CEL means a soft code that isn't serious enough to cause the CEL to light solid, but bad enough to cause catalytic damage. You have to specify that you want soft codes pulled, because the less expensive scanners won't do it.
May 29, 2012 at 12:02 PM
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REAGANX5
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We put new plugs in. Light is no longer blinking but it still runs very rough. Have to get the RPM's up to get it to even partially run.
May 29, 2012 at 12:29 PM
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CZR1760
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  • 49 POSTS
Have you replaced the cap and rotor?
Jun 1, 2012 at 11:57 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 6,106 POSTS
Again, have it scanned for soft codes. The blinking CEL says at least one was set. And most cheap scanners won't pull soft codes.

Also, check for loose connections and vacuum leaks.
Jun 1, 2012 at 2:57 PM
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