my car won't turn on. I thought cause it had no gas, i put gas, it turned on & i pressed on gas & turned off

Question

First my truck tuned off, I thought it was because it was low on gas, I put gas, it worked a little but then turned itself off and then it wouldn't turn back on so I replaced the fuel filter, that seemed to work and it turned on but when I stepped on the gas it seemed like it was choking, and turns off, like the gas doesn't go through or something; and now it just wont turn on, lights come on and everything, radio, etc. but the truck won't. Someone looked at it & told me he thinks I need to replace the fuel pump, & it will be around $600-$700. how can i be sure it is the fuel pump. I'm really scared to get ripped off. I don't mind paying whatever it takes for my truck, as long as they fix what ever needs to be fixed and they do it right.

Answer 1

I just have a few questions:
-What kind of truck is it (manufacturer, model)?
-When was it built?
-When did you get it?
-Where did you get from (e.g. dealer, used car, eBay, etc.)?
-How many miles are on it?
-Where are you located? (I could recommend some good shops.)
If you didn't get it too long ago, or if it's still under warranty, bring it to the dealer (call them first, they'll probably arrange for a tow truck for free), and let them look at it. Let us know this, and we'll try and help.
Good luck!

Answer 2

First I don't know what year or make your truck is. How ever if it has a carburetter base for the fuel injection system then you should be able to get some gas into it. After putting gas in and the truck runs then it is the pump.It should stall out after the gas you put in burn out. Just put in abut two fingers of gas from a vegetable can.

Now before you do anything else put some fuel cleaner into the gas tank. If it has been very cold where you are you could have a frozen fuel line. If you can get it to a warm garage that will help. Also there has been a big problem with this new fuel as the amount of alcohol is increased. It cleans rust out of your tank and fuel lines. That can plug up a lot of stuff very fast. Check your fuel filter again too. If you can get at it check the old one you just put on by cutting it in half (if you can't see through it)to see what is in it. Be careful gas will ignite easy. You can also remove the fuel line from the manifold put a can under the hose you disconnect then have someone turn on the key. If the fuel pump is working you should get gas out of the line. Be careful as these new pumps push about 8 pounds of pressure. That is a lot of gas in a short time in your can.

Once you have determined if it is the pump or not you can go from there. Remember every internal combustion engine need three things to make it run. One is fuel, Two air, and three some sores of ignition. So go from there. You can also refer to a manual for your vehicle that you can get from your local auto parts store. There should be a trouble shooting section in the book. Check the won't start or problem starting section of the book...Best of luck...

Answer 3

I'm not sure what you mean by your car won't turn on. but if you turn your key to the start possition do you hear the engine tying to start? if so check to see if you have spark to the plugs. If you do, the best way to check your fuel pump with out any knowledge or gage, is to get in your car, make sure everything is off, have some one get into the back seat. then turn your key to the on possition not the start possition. the person should hear a slight humming noise lasting about 2 to 5 seconds and then stop. that's comming from the rear or under the seat area. That is the sound of the fuel pump building up pressure to start your engine. I don't know if you have an outside pump or in the tank pump but what ever the price quoted sounds quite high.

Don't have a dealer do the job. The best way and low cost way is to go to advanced auto and buy it and have a small repair shop replace it.

Advanced auto gives life time warrenties on eveything they sell.

Sincerely yours,

Fred M. Hunter
retiered Tech. Advisor
fmhguitars@yahoo .com

Answer 4

It most likley is your fuel pump but could be something else too.

We need to know:
1) If you have carberatur or is the truck fuel injected?
2) If your fuel pump MECHANICAL pump or ELECTRIC?

If it is a Electrical fuel pump, it could simply be that the fuse to it has blown. check your manual to find out and replace it and see if that works.If that does not work, search the internet and buy a replacement fuel pump for cheap and have someone install it for you.
If you have a mechanical pump, do the same and replace it.

Fuel pumps are not that expensive and not hard to replace, so $600-700 is WAY TOO MUCH..... It should be more between $200-300 MAX.

Answer 5

if the fuel pump needs to be replaced.. you will be looking at some charges.. the pump assembly for my bravada was $400. what kind of truck do you have, what kind of miles on the engine. you can try to turn the key to the run position several times. listen for the noise/buzz for about 2 seconds when the key is turned to the run position. is there a possibility that you have water in the fuel? ice in the fuel lines is a stopper. if you can hear the pump run for the cycle check have the fuel pressure checked with a gauge.

Answer 6

There are several options, the best one is have someone you trust examine your engine. Unless you know the people doing the work, or have an absolute solid referal from someone who has had prior dealings with the individuals dealing with your vehicle, you are exposed to possible duplicity at best, and outright rip off at worst.

From here it would be pointless to run down all the mechanical possibilities because the symptoms you mention could describe a myriad of mechanical malfunctions, only one of which is the fuel system. Computer chips, master control modules etc. figure quite commonly in the problem you describe. The year, make, and model of your vehicle are all vital pieces of the puzzle.

Find a trustworthy mechanic and use him in all such matters.

When you find this person, treat him with utmost respect and understand his time constraints.

Such individuals are worth their weight in platinum.

Sincerely,

Michael

Answer 7

If it is fuel injected, many have a port that works like a tire valve (Schrader Valve). It's on the fuel rail and you can get a $30 gage from AutoZone, Pep Boys and the like. Verify your pressure.

Also www.alldata.com has a DIY section where for about $20 you get access to your factory maintenance manual and TSB's for a year. Or www.helminc.com and order the actual books, but that can run $50 to $150 depending on the vehicle and what you order.

Answer 8

Try some fuel injector cleaner. Fill your gas tank half ways with some Chevron Techron and than add some fuel injector cleaner. You can also try to replace your airfilter, spark plug cables, tune it all up. If you want a fuel pump though, just go to your local junk yard, they should have them there

Answer 9

If he fixes it, ask to see the receipts and pay the guy...If he doesn't fix it don't pay him. Looks like you answered your own question with the last line you wrote.
And yes fuel pumps can be that expensive, I recently changed one in a chevy suburban and it was six hundred and change with tax minus the core charge so if some idiot is telling you that they should be 200 max they just never bought the right one.

Answer 10

YES its really important to know what type of vehicle you are talking about!.It could be lots of different things.I would get a spark tester at the parts store and see if you have spark at the plugs.Then I would get a fuel pressure Gage to test the fuel rail pressure.The last vehicle I saw act like you described it was the crank position sensor on my son in laws f-250.Good luck,hopefully you can figure it out.

Answer 11

if its fuel injected,run a test on the fuel pump.that sounds kinda high to put a fuel pump in.if i were you i would do some checking around for someone cheaper.but thats what it sounds to me,that it might be the fuel pump,loosing pressure and volumn.a test will tell you.