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Engine quit running then wouldn't restart?

Tiny
BAJACHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
Yesterday while driving interstate 10, cruise control about 70 mph, the truck just quit with no warning whatever. The engine temp read 170 - 180 degrees at the time. After getting to the shoulder, the truck would start but not idle. Then it would hold 2-3K rpm a few seconds and quit. After a few minutes of me in the panic mode, the truck started and ran normal the next 60 miles to home. I had been on the road for 300 miles thru some 100 plus weather. There are no OBD-1 codes stored. This happened about a year ago also and an expensive diagnostics test said fuel pressures, etc was normal. The fuel filter is fairly new and the pump probably has 50 - 60,000 miles on it.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2007 AT 9:23 PM

33 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If all things are normal, no codes no fuel pump pressure difficulties, check the radiator area, between rad and a/c condenser. If you have the road grime between them use compressed air and a long extension to blow that stuff out of there. blow towards engine first...When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Sunday, September 16th, 2007 AT 6:38 AM
Tiny
BAJACHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the reply Merlin. The radiator and the a/c condenser are clean as is the area between them.
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Sunday, September 16th, 2007 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
MILLERMAN1018
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 120,000 MILES
I replaced a bad fuel pump approx 4 months ago including tank, sender and wiring harness. Now a couple of days ago I pulled into a gas station and filled up. The truck would not start. I had it towed home. I have checked everthing I know how. The pump relay is good, the fuel filter is good. I disconnected the filter inlet line and no fuel is comming out while cranking the engine. Do you think I now have another bad fuel pump?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Unless this was a delphi pump, chances are great that it is the pump. On a GM, I never use anything else but this. Always change the filter when you change the pump.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DIGGERJN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 16,800 MILES
I washed my trucks engine compartment at the car wash. It started just fine, drove it to auto store for cleaning supplies and then home no problem. Cleaned it for a couple hours, went to start it but it wont start. I realized that I can spray carb cleaner in the TBI and it starts and runs good but idles fast. It wasn't injecting gas while cranking so I replaced the ignition module. Still not starting. I replaced the fuel filter. Still not starting. I removed the fuel regulator and turned the key to see if fuel is being pumped and it is.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
It sounds like a weak fuel pump. Often times, when they get weak, they will not provide enough pressure to start the vehicle, but once running (starting fluid) will maintain. It is a common problem that many misdiagnose. Check fuel pump pressure when it doesn't start. I feel confident that you will find it lower than the recommendations.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DIGGERJN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have now replaced the fuel pump, filter, oil pressure switch, and ignition module twice. I noe know that I do not have injector pulse while cranking. I can pour a little gas in tbi and it will start and run fine. Not sure what to do next?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Was the fuel pressure low? As far as the injectors, trace wiring back to the ECM checking for damage. Check the plug into the ECM to make sure there is no corrosion or damage to the pins.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLBO2010
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Chevy Silverado V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I just replaced my fuel pump and fuel filter. When I try to start it it fires up but then dies. After pumping it a few times it starts up and stays started. Is it because its cold so it will take a bit to start it?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Actually, the temp shouldn't have that much affect on it. The computer determines how rich the fuel mixture should be. As far as pumping the throttle, in the old days, there was an accelerator pump in the carb. When you pumped the gas, it would spray fuel into the engine. Today's cars are fuel injected, so that really does nothing.

I have two things I would check. First, the fuel pump may be loosing its prime. It should maintain fuel pressure at all times. If it doesn't, it will take a few tries to get it started.

Here is a how to for checking that:

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

What I want you need to pay attention to is how quickly the pressure drops when you turn off the key.

If that is fine, you may have the move to the ambient temp sentor. It tells the computer how coold it is outside and how hot the engine is. If it doesn't know the correct temp, it will mess up the mixture and not know how rich t make the fuel mixure.

Has the check engine light come on?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY57350
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1995 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 192,000 MILES
My truck started dying on me about a week ago. I got off work one Friday after driving my truck to work and after work to the bank, everything ran smooth. I got to the drive through at the bank and it shut off on me while I was sitting in drive. I cranked it back up, it shut off again. I couldn't get it home because while trying to drive it, anytime I gave it the gas, it'd try to quit, but would still idle down the road. So I parked it and got it towed. I got it to the house and I had recently changed the fuel filter and it had alot of dirt in it. My first thought was the throttle body or fuel lines being clogged. I took the throttle body out, broke it down, cleaned everything out and put new gaskets and 0-rings on it. I put the tb back on the truck, it ran fine for about a minute or so and quit on me. I replaced the tbs, and it is still doing the same thing. I haven't tried anything else, so now I'm just wondering if there are any ideas. It seems like anytime I put a load on it, reverse, drive, etc. - It wants to quit.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
If the check engine light hasn't come on, it really sounds like you are looking in the right place. Based on your description, I would say the fuel pump is bad or the fuel pressure regulator isn't keeping enough pressure at the rail. Here is a how to for checking the system. You will need a fuel pressure gauge. If you don't have one, most parts stores will lend or rent one to you. The how to includes directions and a video for you to follow. It will show what to expect from the fuel system as well as how to check the regulator. Follow it and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Joe
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY57350
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
It came on, but it has been going on and off for over a year, so I didn't know what to assume. Though it normally doesn't come on when I start it, it normally comes on after I've been riding for awhile.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
If the light is coming on, I need you to have the computer scanned for codes. Most parts stores will do it for free. Check that and let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY57350
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
All I'm getting is a 12 code.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
A code 12 just indicates the start and end process of scanning. Did you check fuel pump pressure and the pressure regulator?
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY57350
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
My fuel pump works great and I haven't checked the fuel pressure because I don't have a port to check it from. I'm going to try to find a voltage tester today and see if I can test the connections on the TBS and the Map Sensor.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
They make a connector for TBI to check pressure. Most parts stores will lend or rent them to you.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY57350
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
The truck won't idle to check the pressure. It won't stay on anymore. I think I'm going to test the wires to the tbi and see if the computer is out.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Are you able to keep it running if you keep your foot on the throttle?
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)

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