Code 44 (a.k.a. Specific Issue")

[xraydude]

Wow, Stitz, the same gremlins working on my truck must have visited you too. As soon as I got my fuel pump issue worked out, my serpentine belt split in two, length wise, leaving me with two half-width belts. The offer for shipping you the pressure gauge still goes. It just inserts between your fuel filter and fuel line. It's doing me no good just sitting here. If you are just gonna swap the fuel pump out one way or another, my recent personal experience convinced me that unbolting the bed and walking it back a few feet to expose the tank was the easier option, at least for semi-claustrophobic me. I picked up my pump at a local auto parts store and had to buy the 'sock' separately. By the way, please keep the gremlins up there!

[Stitz Love]

Well gang thanks to the loan of the fuel pressure guage (from xraydude) I FINALLY had the opportunity to use it... this evening... I reek of fuel, Lil is on the war-path about (you and that dang truck. ...although dang is a brief summary and euphemism for what she really said) ... and now I am trying to sneak in a little time with the forum... (well, I'm already in hot water...)
Anyway, the fuel pressure guage tried to point to 5 when I turned the key on, (but would only slowly reach for 3) then I hear the pump stop and the needle goes to zero. I actually started the truck and let it run (stumbly idle) (the guage is the t-type which lets you do that) and it showed a pressure level of 5. That's FIVE psi.
I didn't think the truck would even run at all with a pump working that terribly.
When I turned the key, the pump would come (audible) on as normal then there is a "click" and the needle drops to "0", so I turn the key 'off'.
I did this about 6 times... same result. So that's when I turned the ignition and let it start, and that is when the fuel pressure guage displayed a steady 5 psi. Turn key off, drops to "0".

Is there ANY chance this is some relay not sending enough juice to the pump?...anything else? ... OR am I going to buy a Delphi fuel pump (and sock) this weekend?

[crabtruck]

I think you got the pump for carb not tbi ?
Except in really rare cases the pump voltage should be good or no good.
The "click" you are hearing is your fuel pump relay working right.
On for a short time 10-20sec then off.

You soaked in gas
Lady flaming mad
Ummm, I'd be careful with that.

[Stitz Love]

Ah yes... it was an explosive situation... (all better now)

The truck is a '90 tank and pump original... The engine a '94 police cruiser, 5.7 TBI.

I am wondering if the tank has a layer of detritous from being parked with a half tank for 7 years or so... and I've shaken it all up since buying it last April and driving it around for 1,200 miles ... thereby cloggong up the sock, the pump.. etc. Is there a way to determine the tank is relatively clean or not? (Sans looking in there with a lit match?) I'm considering just buying a new tank for 140. bucks just to be sure my new pump (and sock) don't become clogged over the next 1,200 miles or so.
Any thoughts?

[crabtruck]

My error - unless you have a 8500+gvw with a fuel module to override the ECM,
pump should only come on for 2sec after key or cranking.

Lo pressure would certainly be giving some of your symptoms,
but it may not be pumps fault. Could be the regulator.
Pressure dro after key off is normal for that, even if
you pinched off the return line, the pump's checkvalve
would only hold some pressure for about 30 seconds.

Checking the pump with the gauge "T"'d on at fuel filter,
if you have not checked from between pump and filter, do that.
Just connect a fused battery got to "G" on ALDL/DLC for 2 sec.
If pressure isn't hitting 9-13 in 2 sec, start pinching off the outlet side
of pressure gauge. Pump should buiild to max pressure of about 13-15psi.
If that fails you need to check line from gauge to tank for restriction.
In the tank it could be pump but also dirty inlet filter,
failing coupling hose, or wrong pump if it previously was carbed.

If it is the regulator, that can sometimes be caught by
pinching off the return line for tank, while watching pressure
same as you were doing ealier.

[Stitz Love]

Gentleman... and ladies... and others who insist on less classy monikers,
To recap;
Symptoms; (Began in July of ’09.) These symptoms all came about suddenly.
Hard to start cold, poor idle, wants to conk out. SES light periodically comes on then goes out, I used code reader, retrieved stored Code 44, ‘lean fuel at O2 sensor in exhaust manifold.’ I replaced sensor… no change.
There are many suspects for symptoms (Vacuum leak, EGR, TPS, IAC, Ignition control module, temp. sensor … etc.) … but my research has come to show the number one cause for the symptoms, weak, dying fuel pump.
So, I used a fuel pressure gauge to check pump, I was getting a reading of 5 psi. The manual indicates 11 -to- 15 psi is the normal operating level. This is why I bought new pump. (… and tank.)
Additionally, it’s very touchy to start when cold.
Once engine turns over, I flutter the gas-pedal until I can hold it at an idle of about 1400 rpm. After a few minutes, I can put it in gear… BUT, it will stall if I don’t continue to flutter that pedal.
Once the temp gauge starts moving, it doesn’t stall quite as readily, and once temp is up good, I can drive truck as long as I don’t need to quickly accelerate.

THERE, Now if you pick through the thread, you will see XRAYDUDE offered... and did in fact send me the fuel pressure gauge which I tested my pump with as described... (5 psi)
Now with a new Delphi fuel pump (Airtek sock) in, the truck is starting up at the turn of the key while I stand outside the drivers side reaching in! She idles like a champ and runs better than before.
IT IS DONE.

Now a few of you may have noted I also bought a new fuel tank.
I got the OEM from O'reily <sp?> for $114.00 (and the Delphi pump for $80.)
I wanted to replace the old fuel tank just to be sure bits of possible dirt or other fuel contaminants which I may have stirred up by driving the truck don’t clog-up my new fuel pump, sock and new fuel filter.
I just put filter on about 4 weeks ago, thinking that may be the cure.

Before I bought it (April or May ’09), truck had sat for 7 years (plus) with ½ tank of fuel and without being turned over. Old fuel was drained and new fuel added when I purchased it.
I have driven the truck 1,200 miles before it started acting up in July.
AND NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY.

Oh yeah, and the fuel pressure gauge is on it's way to INDIANA to a new member there experiencing the same issues I was have.
THREE CHEERS FOR XRAYDUDE!!!
xraydude - soon to be known as; "the one who started the forum tool lending library."

[crabtruck]

^^^^LOL, I thought I said that.

Glad to hear you're all good now.

[xraydude]

Yes! Glad to hear you got it going, my man.

[Stitz Love]

YES! Drove her around a little tonight... in the rain. But still...YAH-HOO!
Thanks again xray, for the use of the fuel pressure gauge... (It is going to Indiana now...)

[crabtruck]

Maybe should have folks sign it before they pass it along, nice history of nice.