Cut off while driving & will not start again

Tiny
BLUE5055
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,440 MILES
I have a 97 chevy tahoe that cut off while driving & will not start again. The only warning I received prior to it cutting off was a weak start. When I attempt to start it it cranks but doesnt turn over & start. The battery is only 7 months old, brand new alternator, starter is fine. It gives a spark and all the fuses are fine. Checked fuel pump relay its fine and checked fuel filter it was clean.
When I turn the key to the "on" position I can hear the fuel flowing from the tank & when I depress the small stem inside the fuel pressure Schrader valve the fuel squirts up. Checked the distributor cap it was mostly clean & had no cracks. All wires seem to be in good shape.


Also on a side note my fuel gague is not working properly. It gives a false reading of "E" even when there's gas in the tank & it fluctuates when I accelerate and brake. This problem is secondary to me I want to get it running first then handle this problem unless their connected.
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 AT 2:19 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
I need to know a few things. What the fuel pressure is. I understand it has fuel at the rail but if not over 30 it will not run. U also need to get a spark checker and put it on a spark plug wire while your cranking it over and make sure it is sparking at the spark plug. Try to spray some starting fluid in the intake to se if it has a fuel problem if u dont have a fuel pressure tester.
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BLUE5055
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I forgot to mention b4 that I tried spraying starter fluid in the intake & the engine either almost turns or it does turn but very quickly turns off. There is sparking from the wire to the plug. Not sure what the fuel pressure is but when I depress the valve the fuel shoots up pretty high. I leave it depress until the fuel stops coming out then I reset the switch back to "on" to see it the fuel refills in the rail & it does. In the mean time I will try to find a fuel pressure tester & if the pressure isnt high enough what is the next step?
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
Then you would need to replace the fuel filter and/or the fuel pump. The filter is a good place to start and you will need to do it if u replace the pump anyways. If it is starting for a few seconds with starter fliud we are looking in the right place.
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BLUE5055
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I was afraid it would be the fuel pump even tho I prayed it wasnt lol. I just wanted to make sure I checked all angles b4 I started the pain-in-the-neck task of dropping the tank to change the pump. The filter is good & clean already checked it. I really appreciate the help & advice. By the way is it the bad pump thats giving me false readings on my fuel gauge or something else?
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
Gm's are hard to tell. Sometimes it is the sending unit in the tank but sometimes it is the guage in the dash. A new pump will most lilkley come with a new sending unit. If not I will show u how to check the guage why you have the pump/tank out of the truck.
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BLUE5055
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Alright thanks it will be a few day b4 I change the pump gonna order it online but I'll let u know how it goes & if I have any more questions.
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
No prob. Just to let u know after u have the pump out of the car you can turn the key on and move the float up and down slowly and have some1 look and see if the guage moves with the float. Good Luck.
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BLUE5055
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
One more question: could the ignition module and/or coil possibly be the problem or are u convinced that its the fuel pump?
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BIG_JAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 121 POSTS
If it starts with startig fliud then you know that you have spark so that would rule out the igition.
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
BLUE5055
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for all your help Big_Jay. Finally got around to changing the fuel pump. It took 7hrs & a lot of profanity but got it done. You save me a ton of $$$ in labor cost. Already recommended the site to 2 people. Keep up the good work & thanks again
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 12:39 PM

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