Engine shuts off when transmission is shifted into gear

Tiny
ZAK ELLIOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My SUV recently stopped running. If I remove the battery and let it sit for a day it will start up just fine, then shut off when put in gear. After that if I try to restart it it will turn over but it will not start likely from the lack of fuel. When I try to restart it it gets only 10ish psi at the fuel rail, but when it's running it's getting good psi and running good. If I let it sit for a day without the battery plugged in it will start just fine then shut off when put in gear again. Replaced fuel pump, cleaned tank, replaces fuel filter, plugs, wires, rotor, distributor, and maf.
Monday, November 4th, 2019 AT 2:10 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,584 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Have you checked the fuel pump relay? It is located in the under hood power distribution box. I attached a pic to help you locate it. Check this first. You can try switch a different relay with it that has the same part number, or here is a link that shows how to check a relay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Here are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

This could also be a weak ground for the fuel pump. Let me know what you find with the relay and we'll go from there.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
ZAK ELLIOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yeah, I swapped the AC relay and the fuel relay and it didn't help so I swapped them back. I also thought it was the ground so I took the bolt off and cleaned it up. Still no change.
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,584 POSTS
Do me a favor. Check voltage to the pump when there is only 10psi. We need to determine if it is a power related issue or something is clogging.

When you replaced the pump, was the strainer at the bottom of the pump also replaced? Is there any chance you reversed the supply and return hoses?
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
ZAK ELLIOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Alright. I will check tomorrow I just have to grab my meter from work today. Yeah, the strainer was replaced as well. And the supply and return are two different sizes, so I don't think I could've reversed them, but I will definitely check.
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Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 AT 8:16 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,584 POSTS
Hi Zak:

Let me know what you find. Chances are the hoses aren't switched, but anything is possible.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
ZAK ELLIOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I checked and I'm getting power up to the fuel pump relay, l and the hoses are in order. I couldn't test if I was getting power to the pump though because my prongs didn't fit in the female side of the connector. I have a new relay to put in and I'm just realizing that the pressure from before and after I changed the pump are very similar, could that mean a stuck fpr. It is, I believe the original spider injector, with that many miles could it be stuck open?
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,584 POSTS
Anything is possible. This design doesn't have the best reputation. Just for the heck of the relay. Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM

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