My CAR DIED!?!?

Question

I got the problems down to three things, either the FUEL PUMP, the ALTERNATOR, or the BATTERY...

Help me figure which is probally the right one to fix first.

I was driving fine, then it ran rough, then the driving power would weaken. THEN it died - All happened in less than a minute when the truck ran rough. The electrical accessories died a second before the truck died. A few seconds after it died I started it back up just fine and drove it home smooth - This happened 2 days ago. Yesterday I started it, but it would stall, then it would start, but run rough, then die a couple seconds later.

So... it starts so I don't think its the battery, but it dies so it might be the alternator. BUT when all this first happened, it felt like the fuel pump died thats why it lost power and shut off. But the accessories died before the engine did.
SO, NOW, I'M CONFUSED.

Help me figure which it is. Thanks
I will run tests to see if my lights and horn work, etc. but im lazy :)

1987 Chevy Suburban 4x4 5.7L 350 fuel injected engine (I think 2500 3/4 ton, but not sure)

Thanks Mr. KnowItAll
same kind vehcile and same problem so I think it the fuel pump like you said

If the battery can start the truck then the battery is good. If the alternator is out, the battery would take over. Since the battery is good, it would stay on, but it doesn't. SO the alternator and battery are good.

It's either the fuel pump, loose wires, or the ignition - which I doubt

Answer 1

Uhhhh........What do you drive?????

ADDED:
Being the owner of a 1991 Chevy 2500 truck with 350 I know what the problem is.....(because I had to replace mine)
Your fuel pump took a dive on you. (the one in the tank)

GM fuel pumps suck..

ADDED: #2
It's NOT your battery or alternator because you were able to start it back up.

Answer 2

Ok. its prob. NOT the battery because it cranks after dying.

A simple test.. pull on the lights and turn the key.. If the lights only dim a bit the battery is good. If they go out or almost out its a bad or low b attery.

Because you experience electrical failure BEFORE the car dies I suspect a wire or two or three. A failed fuel system would not kill the power before the engine died.

1) Check the wires to your ignition switch... the neutral switch (keeps you from starting the car in gear) and lastly the ignition lead to the distributor or the ignition system

2) Check the starter.. make sure all the wires are tight and connected.. feel the wire for burned areas. If you have a wire that is simply loose you are going to get intermittent problems like you describe. Check the ignition key switch too.

3) Outside chances: Check the fuel filter and the choke

after that we need to know the type of car.. (fuel injection, electronic ignition, etc...)

Answer 3

add more information regarding the vehicle year make model engine size.. ok to start it most likely is not a battery issue if it starts which would rule out the alternator since the battery is charged and was able to make the vehicle crank. now if the vehicle cranks and does not start it most likely has to do with the ignition. clarify on what the vehicle is doing when you go to turn the key now... if it starts and stalls on its own most likely ignition problem but its hard to say without seeing what the vehicle is doing it could be the fuel pump but again cant tell without testing the fuel pressure to see what happens

Answer 4

Your fuel pump is an electric motor. If you lose your power source you lose your fuel supply. If you do not have a volt meter o your dashboard buy a cheap one and test the battery with the car off. start the car and test again. Off the battery should read 12v when running with the alternator working it should read 14-15v.

Answer 5

Sounds like a lose whire check the one that runs from your destribiter cap that sends the power to it and wiggle the whires that go into that box.try to crank it and if not then check your alternater take it loose and touch the batery wires to where they go on alternater if it runs its good but be carful it will jump when it comes on.

Answer 6

alternator, check fluids but and ohh the starter! check both and they both do cost a bit. look at the transmission just to be sure. and the electrical connections to the engine.

Answer 7

alternator