1992 Chevy 1500 Fuel Pump Intermittent?

Question

My father-in-law's 1992 Chevy 1500 has an intermittent problem with the fuel pump on his truck. He had a problem with the fuel pump where it wouldn't prime, and it was in his driveway which was at an incline. His neighbor, who is a diesel mechanic, looked at it after they pushed it into the garage and it still wouldn't prime. They even took off the fuel filter to see if fuel was going through the line, but nothing was. He finally called me over to look at it, and I tried the same thing, but this time I unplugged the fuel pump, checked the connections and then plugged it back in. After that it was working fine, until he parked it in his driveway again. Then it did the same thing. He has a new fuel pump that I am going to put in, but it just sounds funny that this only happens on an incline and nowhere else. I am trying to find out if there is some other reason as to why this would happen. Maybe the fuel level sensor? But that is the only other thing I can think of. Any other ideas?

Answer 1

<--------Owner of a 1991 Chevy 2500.

GM uses a two second timer when the key is turned to the on position, and an oil pressure sensor to disable the fuel pump if there is no oil pressure. (mounted behind the distributor)

GM fuel pumps are notoriously famous for going out quickly if you run low on fuel and the pump sucks air too many times.

There is also a ground strap from the fuel pump that screws into the frame via a small sheet metal screw just behind the left rear tire that could be corroded or loose.

One other possibility is the relay, or fuse behind the plastic cover on the firewall to the left of the air filter.

Just some ideas to ponder......