Dead Fuel Pump..HELP!

[bferland]

We have a 99 Chevy Suburban 454 4X4. This morning when my husband went out to leave, the fuel pump sounded "sick". It had its normal tone, then would wind down. He made it all morning fine, no huccups, then this afternoon when he got back in the truck, NO FIRE. The starter would crank, but no fire. We have pretty much diagnosed this problem to the fuel pump.. We have had this happen before in the 96 GMC Dually that we had. However that was a much easier fix, considering that the bed came up, and the fuel pump came out. This is a much bigger task considering that there is no bed to remove.. We are looking to see if there is anyone who might possibly be able to guide us in the right direction? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Springthing]

There are quite a few posts in here on it. Hopefully someone will come here and help. In the meantime do a few keyword searches and you might be able to find something.

Here are the manual instructions:

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

J 34730-1A Fuel Pressure Gauge
J 39765 Fuel Sender Lock Nut Wrench

Caution: Refer to the Battery Disconnect Caution in Cautions and Notices.


1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Relieve the fuel system pressure. Refer to the Fuel Pressure Relief Procedure.
3. Drain the fuel tank. Refer to Fuel Tank Draining Procedure.
4. Remove the fuel tank. Refer to one of the following procedures:
5. Replacement (Extended Cab - Side Tank)
6. Fuel Tank Replacement (Pick-Up Side Tank)
7. Fuel Tank Replacement (Cab and Chassis-Side Tank)
8. Fuel Tank Replacement (Cab and Chassis - Rear Tank)
9. Fuel Tank Replacement (1)

*


1. Remove the fuel sender assembly. Refer to Fuel Sender Assembly Replacement.
2. Note the position of the fuel strainer (2) on the fuel sender.
3. Support the fuel sender assembly with one hand and grasp the strainer (2) with the other hand.
4. Pull the strainer off the fuel sender. Discard the strainer after inspection.
5. Inspect the strainer. Replace a contaminated strainer and clean the fuel tank.
6. Disconnect the fuel pump electrical connector (5).
7. Remove the electrical connector retaining clip (6) from the fuel level sensor.
8. Disconnect the sensor electrical connector (7) from under the fuel sender cover.
9. Remove the fuel level sensor retaining clip (4).
10. Squeeze the locking tangs and remove the fuel level sensor (3).
11. Remove the fuel pressure sensor (1). Installation Procedure

1. Install the fuel pressure sensor (1).
2. Install the fuel level sensor (3).
3. Install the sensor retaining clip (4).
4. Connect the electrical connector (7) to the fuel level sensor.
5. Connect the electrical connector retaining clip (6) to the fuel level sensor.
6. Connect the fuel pump electrical connector (5). Important: Always install a new fuel strainer when replacing the fuel tank fuel pump module.
7. Install a new fuel strainer (2) in the same position as noted during disassembly. Push the strainer on the bottom of the fuel sender until the strainer is fully seated.
8. Install the fuel sender assembly. Refer to Fuel Sender Assembly Replacement.
9. Install the fuel tank. Refer to one of the following procedures:

*
o Fuel Tank Replacement (Extended Cab - Side Tank)
o Fuel Tank Replacement (Pick-Up Side Tank)
o Fuel Tank Replacement (Cab and Chassis-Side Tank)
o Fuel Tank Replacement (Cab and Chassis - Rear Tank)
o Fuel Tank Replacement (1)

1. Refill the fuel tank.
2. Install the fuel filler cap.
3. Connect the negative battery cable.
4. Inspect for leaks.

13.1 Turn the ignition switch ON for 2 seconds. 13.2 Turn the ignition switch OFF for 10 seconds. 13.3 Turn the i9nition switch ON. 13.4 Inspect for fuel leaks.


I do suggest you get an account with All Data.. it's been a great tool for me already and has a lot of great information. The instructions on dropping the fuel tank are in there and very straight forward for the person that is handy with tools.

[MrShorty]

I had to change mine. It really isn't too bad, as long as the gas tank isn't full (because mine was ~2/3 full when it went. Murphy's law says it will never go bad when the tank is near empty, right?).