98 K1500 cranks but won't start

[yam350yfm]

The truck cranks but will not start. I do not hear the fuel pump, although that is not unusual until the truck starts. Replaced the fuel pump relay ($17 for that versus $400 for a fuel pump), and it still does not start. How can I test for the fuel pump to verify that is the problem before I replace that? Or should I be looking elsewhere? There are no check engine codes, the truck had a full tune-up about 4,000 miles ago....

Oh, this has done this a few times over the winter, when there was 1/4 tank or less fuel and hitting the bottom of the tank always got it to start. That did not work this time, and there is just under a 1/4 tank registering on the gauge which has been fairly accurate in the past.

Suggestions?

[Chevy_Finatic79]

not definite but usually when you have to hit the tank to get the vehicle to start those are the first signs of the fuel pump failing and a chevy fuel pump is more like $275 at Autozone still not exactly cheap but it sounds like that what u need to get back on the road

[mudseeker]

you should be able to hear the pump prime when you turn the ignition key.

[yam350yfm]

I do not hear anything from the fuel pump when I turn the key. It cranks, but no noise from the fuel pump.

[keithr0005005]

fuel pump is toast

[yam350yfm]

Okay, is it best to drop the tank or leave the tank in place and remove the bed?

[Chevy_Finatic79]

you dont have to crank the motor to hear the whine it is a lot harder to hear it that way. all you need to do is put the key to the on position (the one where everything is on and its about to crank) and listen for the whine in the tank

[bradrhale]

i have had better luck taking out the bolts in the bed on the drivers side and loosening those on the other side so you can lift just that side of the bed. at least, enough to get to everything. do it yourself with a floorjack and everything lines back up. check the pressure with a fuel pressure gauge to be sure.

[mrjohnwayne]

Have you tested for fuel pressure? could you hear the pump before? I would atleast check fuel pressure under the hood before ripping the pump out...

[yam350yfm]

We were able to get one more start out of it by beating on the bottom of the tank while cranking the engine. Got the truck home and pulled the bed last night. Before that we were able to spray carb cleaner into the manifold via the PCV line and get the truck to start, no fuel pumping. When we stopped spraying, the engine quit. Tested the leads to the pump and they have power, so ordered a new AC/Delco pump to install this week.

I am not exactly sure how the pump comes out as it looks like a massive snap ring that holds it in place, maybe there is a tool that I need to remove that. I do have to clean the top of the tank first as there is a lot of dirt from running the truck through mud over the years and I don't want any of that getting into the tank when the pump comes out. One more argument for removing the bed!