2001 Chevy S-10 Hard Start When Low

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JPAULALLING
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  • 1 POST
I have a 2001 Chevy s-10 6cyl 4wD with 72000 miles. When the tank gets to less than half full, it occassionaly lugs and takes a couple of turns of the key to get it started, unless it was just turned off. From reading your posts, it sounds like the fuel pump. I just spoke to a mechanic on the phone. After describing the problem, he said I should bring it in for a diagnostic check. He said that the check engine light should come on if the fuel pump is bad. My check engine light is not coming on. Would the check engin light come on if the pump was bad??? Should I spend the money for a diagnostic, or just replace the fuel pump myself. It is a $370 part and I just want to spend my money wisely.
Thanks...
Mar 2, 2006 at 10:08 AM
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MVANNESSJR
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 223 POSTS
A lot of the time a shop will roll the diagnostic fee into the cost of the repair if you get it repaired then and there. . See if this shop does that for you and you won't lose any money. However, a failing fuel pump does not always result in a check engine light.
Mar 2, 2006 at 11:05 AM
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Suggested Repair

Ask the shop whether the diagnostic fee is credited toward the repair if you authorize the work there. Do not rule out the fuel pump only because the check engine light is off, since a failing pump does not always set a light. Have the low-fuel lugging and hard-start condition diagnosed before replacing the pump.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2001 Chevy S-10 reports occasional lugging and hard starting when the tank is below half full and suspects the fuel pump. A mechanic recommended a diagnostic and said a bad pump should turn on the check engine light, which is not on. The expert advised asking whether the diagnostic fee rolls into the repair and noted that a failing fuel pump does not always trigger a check engine light.

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