Truck Won't Start???

silentcrow · #1 02/26/08, 04:31 PM

I tried calling a mechanic, but get no answer. My truck ('98 Chevy 1500) has been running fine today, but just went out to start it and it won't. It cranks fine (at least sounds like it), but won't start. Any ideas on what would cause this? Would water in the fuel, dirty fuel filter or bad fuel injector cause this? Any tips or hints appreciated!

VALENT · #2 02/26/08, 05:03 PM

If the fuel filter was dirty enough, it could cause it not too start. But normally, when the filter is dirty, you notice performance problems -sluggishness, no complete acceleration before it wont start. When you turn the key on (but not far enough for the starter to spin), can you hear the fuel pump working?

swamp man · #3 02/26/08, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentcrow

I tried calling a mechanic, but get no answer. My truck ('98 Chevy 1500) has been running fine today, but just went out to start it and it won't. It cranks fine (at least sounds like it), but won't start. Any ideas on what would cause this? Would water in the fuel, dirty fuel filter or bad fuel injector cause this? Any tips or hints appreciated!

Shop talk is chock full of mechanical geniuses.....you might try there, too.
That said, my experience with late 90's chevys would make me suspicious that it's time for a new fuel pump, but that's only first guess because I've seen so many give up the ghost.
Since it happpened all at once, I'd check the ignition for spark. If you're getting a strong spark, pull a fuel line downstream of the fuel pump, and see if the pump is moving a steady stream of fuel.

swamp man · #4 02/26/08, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VALENT

If the fuel filter was dirty enough, it could cause it not too start. But normally, when the filter is dirty, you notice performance problems -sluggishness, no complete acceleration before it wont start. When you turn the key on (but not far enough for the starter to spin), can you hear the fuel pump working?

Oy...good call.
SC, when you turn the key over, but not enough to engage the starter motor, you oughta' be able to hear the fuel pump running. The tone should change a bit after a few seconds.

silentcrow · #5 02/26/08, 05:26 PM

Just did that and didn't hear anything from inside. A friend was outside listening and also didn't hear anything, so I guess that is the most likely culprit. Thank you very much for the info and advise! I had no idea a fuel pump could die so fast, but the way my luck has been lately, it's somehow not surprising.

sewtlm · #6 02/26/08, 05:39 PM

Gentlemen----The 98s are fuel injected no pump sound.

The fuel filter would be my first change. The fuel pump is in the gas tank and is very expensive to change.

cchapman84 · #7 02/26/08, 05:57 PM

You should still hear the fuel pump even if it's fuel injected (at least you can on every vehicle I've ever owned).

Rocky Fields · #8 02/26/08, 05:59 PM

Hey.

You need to check for spark and report back here.

RF

DrippingSprings · #9 02/26/08, 06:11 PM

before you yank the bed off and take the pump out be sure andcheck the fuel pump relay and also the inertia switch both of which will stop a pump from coming on.

you should be able to take the fuel cap off of ANY electric fuel pump equipped vehicle and place a funnel into the spout and hear the pump come on when the switch is moved to the on position.

the relay is about ten bucks and can be changed with no tool other than your fingers and the inertia switch has a button much like a hot water reset button you just push back in.

hotzcatz · #10 02/26/08, 06:34 PM

It needs fuel, spark and air to run. Check the air filter since that's easy, test a spark plug or two since that's easy and then you've got the fuel to fuss with.

Is there gas in the tank?

Is there power to the fuel pump? Are there fuses for that?

If it is fuel injected it may have two fuel pumps, a low pressure one and a high pressure one.

Are all the sensors working? Can you run a diagnostic on it? Sometimes you have to turn the key off and on a certain number of times and then it will beep a certain number of times and you can interpret the beeps. Or just get one of those handy diagnostic tools and plug it in. That will let you know if the computer or sensors are unhappy and will let you know of anything else wrong.

radiofish · #11 02/26/08, 06:41 PM

Sounds like what my 86 GMC S-15 Jimmy 2.8L V-6 fuel injected 5 speed manual 4X4 did to me after we had rebuilt the engine/ fuel pump within the last couple of years. I had one heck of a time finding the cause of the problem. It died all of a sudden in the middle of the private road. I traced the ignition system and tried replacing the coil, cap, rotor, wires, and finally discovered it was the "electronic ignition module" inside the distrubitor. My Chilton books did not mention that item in detail....

Check to see if the rotor is turning inside the distrubitor. Disconnect the fuel line and see if there is an unrestricted flow. Then see if there is spark at the coil, the distrubitor, and to the spark plugs.

It has to be no spark or no fuel problem. Unless the timing belt/ chain went South on you...

I not that familiar with all of the sensors on the newer vehicles... My other two vehicles are a 1967 and a 1969 Ford F-100 pickup trucks. Only one vaccuum line, and one fan belt on those V-8 engines with lots of room to work on them...

stranger · #12 02/26/08, 06:42 PM

First, did you or anyone step on the gas peddle or pump the peddle before you tried starting it?, if this has happened, it won't start for hours, maybe a couple days. the system is pressurized and if the peddle was touched, a lot of gas was dumped into the cylinders and flooded them. after trying to start it, did you smell fresh gas?, if so forget the gas as a problem, it is spark or ignition. better get it to a garage that has the diagnostic equipment so they can plug kit into their computer, costly but will save you money in the long run, it could be one of many sencors has failed

auctioneer · #13 02/26/08, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrippingSprings

before you yank the bed off and take the pump out be sure andcheck the fuel pump relay and also the inertia switch both of which will stop a pump from coming on.

you should be able to take the fuel cap off of ANY electric fuel pump equipped vehicle and place a funnel into the spout and hear the pump come on when the switch is moved to the on position.

the relay is about ten bucks and can be changed with no tool other than your fingers and the inertia switch has a button much like a hot water reset button you just push back in.

I wouldn't hurt to check the fuse too.

fixer1958 · #14 02/26/08, 07:24 PM

Shoot a 2 second shot of starting fluid into the throttle body with it open and see if it starts.
If it starts or tries to, it's not the spark. If it doesn't, it's an ignition problem.
Possible ignition module.
If it tries to start, smack the bottom of the fuel tank a few times with a mallet or hammer.
If it starts then, your fuel pump is bad.

If it still won't start, you are going to have to dig deeper.

GM doesn't have an "inertia switch".

diehard47 · #15 02/26/08, 07:39 PM

I had a 90 chev trk, and had same problem one day. Mechanic took a hammer and hit the bottom of fuel tank and trk started. Now that just told us that fuel pump was faulty and did change pump out the next day.

silentcrow · #16 02/26/08, 09:31 PM

Well, we finally got a tow truck to come out. It's now setting at my mechanics' garage. The truck had spark, it tried to start, but wouldn't. All major electrical starting components seemed to be working fine. Air filter was very clean. New battery a couple weeks ago when it was inspected. Gas pedal wasn't touched until my friend got desperate and tried it as a last ditch effort (I already knew it was a wasted effort). Fuses looked ok and were in tight.

There was a strange, faltering buzz from the area where, on an older vehicle, I guess a carb would set. Is that where the fuel injection is? When the key was turned, it would make a sickly buss, then quit. Sound came from a black box that I wasn't about to figure out how to get in to.

I know nothing about vacuum lines, so no idea if that could be a problem, or the relay in the fuse box. Just too many possibilities and I'm no good with these crammed together computerized engines. I think I need to find an older truck that doesn't have specialized components. At least then, with an instruction book, I could work on it some myself.

Thanks everyone! I really do appreciate all the helpful tips, suggestions, etc.

pistolsmom · #17 02/26/08, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentcrow

I tried calling a mechanic, but get no answer. My truck ('98 Chevy 1500) has been running fine today, but just went out to start it and it won't. It cranks fine (at least sounds like it), but won't start. Any ideas on what would cause this? Would water in the fuel, dirty fuel filter or bad fuel injector cause this? Any tips or hints appreciated!

My guess is fuel pump. And as far as no noise.....my tahoe has the LOUDEST sounding fuel pump I have ever heard! A bit of weird advice........any time a chevy with a fuel pump in the tank won't start and you think it could be the fuel pump.......get someone to hit the tank while u turn the key.........sounds weird but it has worked for us on 2 occasions and ran long enought to get it to a garage.

**Cabin Fever** · #18 02/27/08, 08:15 AM

My money is also on a faulty fuel pump.

If you can't hear the fuel pump on a '98 Chevy 1500 when you turn the key to "ON" it's one of two things:
1. You are deaf, or
2. The fuel pump has died.

Fuel pumps on these trucks are extremely loud and they fail on a regular basis....don't ask me how I know this.

If this ever happens to anyone else, here's a tip that saved me. WHen the truck doesn't start and you can't hear the fuel pump, have someone start beating on the fuel tank with a hammer as your turn the ignition key to "START." The vibrations from the hammer will move the armiture of the fuel pump motor and it may start turning. I've done this several times and it works.

Edited to add: Looks like I said essentially the same thing Pistolsmom did!

**Cabin Fever** · #19 02/27/08, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentcrow

There was a strange, faltering buzz from the area where, on an older vehicle, I guess a carb would set. Is that where the fuel injection is? When the key was turned, it would make a sickly buss, then quit. Sound came from a black box that I wasn't about to figure out how to get in to....

The fuel pump sound....if it is working....should be coming from behind the cab on the drivers side (ie, within the fuel tank). You must listen for it right away after turning the key to "ON" because it only whines for a few seconds.

silentcrow · #20 02/27/08, 10:19 PM

Yep, it was the fuel pump! I had no idea they could quit so fast, with no trouble or warning. Not looking forward to the bill...Estimated around $600 (if not more).