Fuel pump went out !!!

1994 Suburban 1/2 ton, 2WD, Cranking, will start when I sprayed some aerosol starting fluid down the throat. I pounded on the bottom of the fuel tank, then it started up, ran normally. When it didn't start, after cranking 10 seconds then leaving ignition in "on" position, had voltage through the fuel pump relay and fuse, until oil pressure dropped and fuel pump relay clicked off (maybe 15 seconds). So I did that again, leaving in "on" position and went underneath and pounded on the fuel tank again, then heard the fuel pump begin running, until the oil pressure/relay switched it off. Of course right after that it would start right up. So it sure sounds like a fuel pump to me.

Removing the tank with so much fuel in it sounds tough and dangerous to me, too bad GM didn't engineer an access hole. So I think my mechanic gets this job. Anyway, the first fuel pump went 187K miles.

Keep pounding on that fuel tank! :)

1994 Suburban 1/2 ton, 2WD, Cranking, will start when I sprayed some aerosol starting fluid down the throat. I pounded on the bottom of the fuel tank, then it started up, ran normally. When it didn't start, after cranking 10 seconds then leaving ignition in "on" position, had voltage through the fuel pump relay and fuse, until oil pressure dropped and fuel pump relay clicked off (maybe 15 seconds). So I did that again, leaving in "on" position and went underneath and pounded on the fuel tank again, then heard the fuel pump begin running, until the oil pressure/relay switched it off. Of course right after that it would start right up. So it sure sounds like a fuel pump to me.

Removing the tank with so much fuel in it sounds tough and dangerous to me, too bad GM didn't engineer an access hole. So I think my mechanic gets this job. Anyway, the first fuel pump went 187K miles.


make sure the delphi pump is used,,this is the oem pump,,it appears that this is the period when most of these pumps fail with normal usage...[not running the tank down on fuel]

170,ooo - 200,000mi...

on your vehicle I'm not sure , but I know of dealership tech's cuttting a hole in the floor for access...this is done on other vehicles...

Got it repaired by my mechanic today. $340 total, was a Delphi pump, 2 hours labor, so it was actually less labor $$$ than I expected.

on your vehicle I'm not sure , but I know of dealership tech's cuttting a hole in the floor for access...this is done on other vehicles...

As a dealership tech I would NEVER nor would my dealer allow cutting of an "access hole" to replace the pump on these vehicles.
The tank is simple enough to drop ( even a full 40 gallon tank) that extreme measures like cutting holes is not necessary

As a dealership tech I would NEVER nor would my dealer allow cutting of an "access hole" to replace the pump on these vehicles.
The tank is simple enough to drop ( even a full 40 gallon tank) that extreme measures like cutting holes is not necessary

well I've worked with dealership repair tech's and on some vehicles this is done....on this vehicle it would be something that,,,, like I said ,,,may not be correct...

since you are a service tech I'm sure that you are aware that some vehicles manufactuered,,,,do have a removable access port for this fuel pump repair/replacement..these manufacturers probably didn't go bankrupt...

well I've worked with dealership repair tech's and on some vehicles this is done....on this vehicle it would be something that,,,, like I said ,,,may not be correct...

since you are a service tech I'm sure that you are aware that some vehicles manufactuered,,,,do have a removable access port for this fuel pump repair/replacement..these manufacturers probably didn't go bankrupt...

No you have worked with HACKs!
And smart @ss, there are many GM vehicles out there that have access holes built in for easy removal of the fuel module.
The Suburban doesn't need one. removal of the tank is simplistic...I can drop a tank on one of those faster then those hacks you worked with can remove carpet, cut holes and patch their work.

No you have worked with HACKs!
And smart @ss, there are many GM vehicles out there that have access holes built in for easy removal of the fuel module.
The Suburban doesn't need one. removal of the tank is simplistic...I can drop a tank on one of those faster then those hacks you worked with can remove carpet, cut holes and patch their work.

your reply reminds me now of the full story of this hole cutting...when a vehicle would come in on warrantee , and it was difficult to remove the tank/tank full they would do the hole cut to shorten the repair time,,, then pocket the extra cash....

Jcat, interesting you live in Everett Ma. I was born and raised in Everett Wa.
Ever been there?:smile:

your reply reminds me now of the full story of this hole cutting...when a vehicle would come in on warrantee , and it was difficult to remove the tank/tank full they would do the hole cut to shorten the repair time,,, then pocket the extra cash....

Once again..you worked with HACKS.
Like I said, the tank can be removed the proper way and still I can beat warranty time.
If I caught one of my techs cutting a hole in a vehicle to remove the pump, they would be charged for reairing the hole and the damage they caused, then they would be fired!

It's the handful of HACKS out there ( and yes there are hacks at dealers too) that give the true professional technicians a bad name.

your reply reminds me now of the full story of this hole cutting...when a vehicle would come in on warrantee , and it was difficult to remove the tank/tank full they would do the hole cut to shorten the repair time,,, then pocket the extra cash....

Isn't that like "stealing" ? Even if it was stealing from GM or dealership ?

Jcat, interesting you live in Everett Ma. I was born and raised in Everett Wa.
Ever been there?:smile:

I have never been to washington state...california , arizona, nevada I have visited..

my area is just north of boston,ma...it borders boston ,,,,you can see bunker hill...the area is residential mostly,,,as most manufacturing is now in china..

Was you working at a local junkyard or dealer. I can't believe this goes on at a dealership. They have lifts and a hydraulic jack with a large plate on it to support the gas tank. They don't have to cut holes in the floor.

Was you working at a local junkyard or dealer. I can't believe this goes on at a dealership. They have lifts and a hydraulic jack with a large plate on it to support the gas tank. They don't have to cut holes in the floor.

junk yards dont replace fuel pumps ....dealerships do under warrantee...,,,

on SOME vehicles this is faster....

Some junkyards have a lift and mechanics {parts changers} in my area.
They would install a used pump. Some even have two bays cheaper than a local garage or dealer.
I'm not saying it isn't quicker just a customer who caught this on his new car is going to complain and demand the body shop to replace the piece at least I would.

Isn't that like "stealing" ? Even if it was stealing from GM or dealership ?

Is it stealing when the labor time is set so low, that the repair procedure takes longer then the labor time allows?

Most shops pay their mechanics and technicians on a "flat rate" labor time scale...The labor time is set in a guide which basically states XXX job should take XXX time.
If the tech does the job in less time then the LTG states, he makse money..if the tech takes longer then the LTG state, he loses money.
The flat rate system creates many issues that relate to poor customer satisfaction because for a tech to make money he has to beat time...in essence, this means that when it comes to diagnosis and duplicating customer concerns, the tech will spend the minimium amount of time trying to diagnose the problem.
Along with this comes the "I don't want to pay the shops diagnosis time" statement you hear alot on AF..basically what you are saying as a customer is "I want you to work for free"
Professional technicians have alot invested in their profession including 50-100K in tools that THEY had to BUY!
We are not talking about going out there and buying Craftsman tools..we are talking about Professional grade tools,(Snap-on Mac, Matco) which cost on average 3x-5x as much. There are very-very few shops that supply tools to their techs.
If you looked in my box (or on it for that matter) you would see that I have my own PC and tools like scanners, oscilloscopes and home made test tools..all which were purchased on MY DIME!
On average, as a tech, I spend 50-60 hrs a week in the shop and my labor hours are 35-40 a week...if most people worked t50-60 hrs and olny got paid 35-40, they would be raising hell!
Why don't I turn 50-60 hrs a week? Good question, because I am working on that intermittant concern or car that has been to every back yard shop in town before the customer broke down and had it towed to us, or that potential buy back or some new technology that just came out...
It is very rare when we get a car in for "service" work ( oil change, tunes, general service) because most people believe that the dealer cost more, when in fact, or "service" labor rates are way cheaper then the "big box" car care centers..matter of fact, our tire prices beat any tire store in town..but everyone believes the dealer charges too much.
We have spent years developing a dealer team of the best people ( sales, service and parts) to give the customer the best experiance possible....there have been alot of "mechanics" come thru our shop, that talked a good game, but their bad habits and ability to HACK came thru pretty quick and they left faster then they came in.






Think about this...what would happen if your company or profession made you invest 50-100K and then told you that you were going to work for free?

Some junkyards have a lift and mechanics {parts changers} in my area.
They would install a used pump. Some even have two bays cheaper than a local garage or dealer.
I'm not saying it isn't quicker just a customer who caught this on his new car is going to complain and demand the body shop to replace the piece at least I would.

I never seen this type of repair technic done, but as it was described it was put back so that it was secure waterproof and would aid in removal of pump should it fail again...

my vehicles don't have this OEM access port as some do...having this port would aid in troubleshooting the vent system as well as other fuel pump issues...I believe the suburban has 36 gallon tank if it had 30 gallons in it that means about 240lbs...

when the vehicle is under warrantee you don't have much say in how it is repaired or what is considered to you / dealership/GM defective, improper...this is why GM is being broken into small pieces..

when you bring to a repair garage you are in control ,,,or they don't get paid...

as most who purchase new vehicles know ,,,getting the warrantee work done is just a small part of the issues that come up with this...collateral damage...