How long was it before you tried to start you it again after you parked it? I had a '97 and sometimes (for no reason I could figure out) it wouldn't start back up unless I let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes...it was really weird.

 

About 25-30 minutes. I drove my 30 year old 300D back to work.

 

Hopefully, somone soon will have an idea or two for you. See what happens next time you try and start it. If it starts right up, then probably have the same goblins that appear from time to time that I had. And of course, it would never happen to me when I was trying to trouble shoot it.....Sorry I am not more help.

 

When you say cranks the engine, do you mean that the engine just turns it over? Is this a consistent issue or one that you just started having? You may have a starter issue or a plug/plug wire issue. When was the last time these were changed for new ones?

 

1st thing I would probably check on a hard warm start is the fuel pressure regulator. What happens is the diaphragm in the regulator leaks, allowing unmetered fuel into the intake, effectively flooding the engine. On these engines, it's a little tricky to check. Some say you can poke a mirror down into the intake and see if there is gasoline inside the intake. I might start by putting a fuel pressure gauge on it and seeing if the fuel system holds pressure when the pump shuts off. While there, see how quickly the fuel pressure comes up to spec when the pump comes on, and see if the fuel system is staying at spec while cranking the engine.

Another thing I might do is put a scanner on it and see if the computer is showing any trouble codes that might explain the hard start.

 

Got home, still not start or attempt to fire. Guessing ignition. never had any starting or running issue before

 

You can check for spark by removing a plug boot, inserting a screw driver in the boot, then place the screwdriver near a good ground. Have someone crank the engine over and look for a bright white/blue spark.

 

My 97 did this twice. Each time it was proceeded by a fairly long period of taking longer to start. It typically starts right up if you bump the starter. Any way in both cases it was the fuel pump. Checking the spark, listening for the fuel pump and some other simple checks can save time and treasure. Again in my case, I could not here the fuel pump whine when I cycled the ignition switch. I do not have the stuff to check fuel pressure so I went on that and changed the fuel pump and fixed the problem. The correct way is to check the fuel pressure. If that shows you have a problem, change the filter first if you hear the pump running. If you don't hear it running get a fuel pump and fuel filter when you go to the parts store.

Good point. My buddy had the same problem but he would just rock the truck side to side and then the pump would work...

 

I know that would never work for me either. But the cussing sure does make me feel better!

 

I tried this morning and before I turned the key to START I knew it was in vain. At the ON position I realized that I was not hearing the fuel pump. Going to call soon to have it towed and repaired. Just seems so odd that I drove home, shut it off and then nothing.

 

I tried this morning and before I turned the key to START I knew it was in vain. At the ON position I realized that I was not hearing the fuel pump. Going to call soon to have it towed and repaired. Just seems so odd that I drove home, shut it off and then nothing.

It's a GM thing....

 

if you chang the pump REPLACE the connector the connector going bad is what causes the pumps to go bad on all chevy trucks and suvs (ase cetified tech fo 15 yrs) seen it way to many times and a delco pump is worth the extra money

 

Opps, sorry, I forgot to update. The day that U was going to have it towed I called a local shop. The mans at the other end said that it is likely the fuel pump. He did say that in order to try and save the tow cost to turn the key to on and see if the pump will kick in. I tried this and no success. Then I though "relay". I opened the hood, pulled the relay out. The contacts on the relay and socket looked clean. I plugged the relay back in the socket and attempted to start.....it started right up and has been running since. Hmmmmm...

On a side note I spoke with a coworker that said that he has replaced a few of these for himself and others. He said not to drop the fuel tank. Rather unbolt the bed, disconnect the harness, and raise/remove the bed. He said that it is much easier than dropping the fuel tank.