Author Topic: Dual tank switch kills the engine  (Read 1480 times)

Offline shinkle

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Dual tank switch kills the engine
« on: April 10, 2021, 11:24:14 AM »
I have an 87 R10 dual tank.  The driver side tank and gauge works great.  When I flip the tank switch to the passenger side the engine instantly dies.  I replaced the switch and put gas in the passenger tank.

Any suggestions?
1987 R10 5.7L TBI

Offline MIKE S

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Re: Dual tank switch kills the engine
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2021, 01:21:16 PM »
More than likely the in tank fuel pump in the passenger tank is bad.

Offline bd

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Re: Dual tank switch kills the engine
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2021, 01:26:23 PM »
Do you hear the tank selector valve located below the cab ratchet when you switch tanks?  Does the fuel gauge switch tanks?  The motorized valve may not be moving full rack to select the opposite tank.  Alternatives could be a faulty in-tank fuel pump, poor continuity somewhere between the dash switch and the fuel pump, or a faulty fuel pump ground.

Fuel System Schematics (and fuel gauge troubleshooting)
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline shinkle

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Re: Dual tank switch kills the engine
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2021, 02:49:13 PM »
If I flip the switch to the passenger side and turn the ignition key, I don't hear a click and whrrr sound.  If I try it on the good driver side I definetly hear the click and whrrrrr.  The gauge does not work on the bad passenger side.
1987 R10 5.7L TBI

Offline bd

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Re: Dual tank switch kills the engine
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2021, 03:59:09 PM »
There is a 3" long red pigtail terminated by a black insulator hanging freely from the fuel pump relay located at the top of the engine compartment firewall on the passenger side of center.  Connect a 20-amp fuse-protected jumper between the free end of the pigtail and the firewall junction block stud (B+) located nearby on the firewall above the driver-side valve cover.  With the ignition switched OFF and the passenger fuel tank selected, do you hear the fuel pump running in the passenger side tank?
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline All_American_C10s

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Re: Dual tank switch kills the engine
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2021, 05:25:30 PM »
More than likely the in tank fuel pump in the passenger tank is bad.
I bet you're right.  I had the exact same issue.  Ended up replacing the in-tank fuel pump on the bad side.

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Shane Free
'87 5.7L Silverado every day driver
'67 C10 currently in restoration