1989 gmc 2500 will not fire up

89gmctruckman · 06-30-2008, 12:02 PM

I have numerous problems with this truck in the past 60 days and it is seriously wearing on me. About 2 months ago I went to start my truck and it wouldn't start. It had rained really hard the night before so I thought some how maybe some moisture got to the distributor. (The plugs and wires are only 12 months old). I changed the the distibutore cap and is still would not start. I just want to add theat the starter fires up when I turn the key and the truck sound like it wants to start. Then I checked the fuel pump fuse and it was bad, I chaged the fuse and the truck fired right up. I then started getting alot of back fire so I changed back the old distibutor cap and it seemed to fix the problem for the most part. My battery keeps on dieing to, like at least one a week. So I got into the truck to go to work the other and fired right up I was riding it close to Empty but I had to get it to work. I went out to the truck after work and I had to jump it. I then drove to the gas station and put 20 dollars in and got back in and it will not start!!!! It acts like it wants too, it will turn over and then just not fire up. Where should I start to solve allof these problems??? any help would be greatly appreciated.

steve

tjzz4 · 06-30-2008, 12:04 PM

Check fuel pressure.. sounds like a pump failing.

89gmctruckman · 06-30-2008, 12:10 PM

how do you check the fuel pressure?

03chevy · 06-30-2008, 12:39 PM

it sounds like to me the fuel pump is trying to short out. with it blowing a fuze thats one sign of it not going to last much longer

z07 · 06-30-2008, 02:43 PM

Rotation – Does the starter spin the engine at the normal speed when you’re trying to start?
Compression – You will need over 60 PSI in each cylinder for a start. Assume this one is ok if the engine was running well recently.
Fuel – When you turn the key to run (not start) do you hear the fuel pump run for two seconds then shut off? There is a shredder valve on the fuel rail or line where you can attach a fuel pressure gauge ($25 at any parts store). TPI should have 15 PSI and Multi-Port should be in the high 30’s. Without a gauge you can still test that there is at least some fuel under pressure by pressing the needle in the valve and catching the gas in a rag. It should make a nice squirt so be ready to catch it and dispose of the rag too.
Do the injectors fire? You can see if the injectors are getting a pulse to fire with a noid light and you can hear them fire with a mechanic’s stethoscope.
Air – Is anything stopping the fresh air from getting to the engine? Is anything plugging the exhaust?
Spark – Harbor Freight and others sell a little spark test tool that snaps on between a plug and the plug’s wire. It lights up when there is spark. There are other ways to test for spark but this is simple and safe and the tool only costs $5.

06-30-2008, 12:02 PM	#1
89gmctruckman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	1989 gmc 2500 will not fire up I have numerous problems with this truck in the past 60 days and it is seriously wearing on me. About 2 months ago I went to start my truck and it wouldn't start. It had rained really hard the night before so I thought some how maybe some moisture got to the distributor. (The plugs and wires are only 12 months old). I changed the the distibutore cap and is still would not start. I just want to add theat the starter fires up when I turn the key and the truck sound like it wants to start. Then I checked the fuel pump fuse and it was bad, I chaged the fuse and the truck fired right up. I then started getting alot of back fire so I changed back the old distibutor cap and it seemed to fix the problem for the most part. My battery keeps on dieing to, like at least one a week. So I got into the truck to go to work the other and fired right up I was riding it close to Empty but I had to get it to work. I went out to the truck after work and I had to jump it. I then drove to the gas station and put 20 dollars in and got back in and it will not start!!!! It acts like it wants too, it will turn over and then just not fire up. Where should I start to solve allof these problems??? any help would be greatly appreciated. steve

06-30-2008, 12:39 PM	#4
03chevy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jax,fl Posts: 991	it sounds like to me the fuel pump is trying to short out. with it blowing a fuze thats one sign of it not going to last much longer __________________ A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste!

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06-30-2008, 12:04 PM	#2
tjzz4 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 216	Check fuel pressure.. sounds like a pump failing.

06-30-2008, 12:10 PM	#3
89gmctruckman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	how do you check the fuel pressure?

06-30-2008, 02:43 PM	#5
z07 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 176	Rotation – Does the starter spin the engine at the normal speed when you’re trying to start? Compression – You will need over 60 PSI in each cylinder for a start. Assume this one is ok if the engine was running well recently. Fuel – When you turn the key to run (not start) do you hear the fuel pump run for two seconds then shut off? There is a shredder valve on the fuel rail or line where you can attach a fuel pressure gauge ($25 at any parts store). TPI should have 15 PSI and Multi-Port should be in the high 30’s. Without a gauge you can still test that there is at least some fuel under pressure by pressing the needle in the valve and catching the gas in a rag. It should make a nice squirt so be ready to catch it and dispose of the rag too. Do the injectors fire? You can see if the injectors are getting a pulse to fire with a noid light and you can hear them fire with a mechanic’s stethoscope. Air – Is anything stopping the fresh air from getting to the engine? Is anything plugging the exhaust? Spark – Harbor Freight and others sell a little spark test tool that snaps on between a plug and the plug’s wire. It lights up when there is spark. There are other ways to test for spark but this is simple and safe and the tool only costs $5.