no fuel

[JGR1517]

Hey guys, noob here. Having problems with my 87 gmc half ton pickup. Itsa 305 tbi. It starts fine and will run for about 5-10 minutes then it starts to loose throttle response. Then as I drive more it'll stall out and it'll restart the first few times then eventually wont start at all. I pulled the air filter and looked at the injectors and no fuel at all. New parts I've bought are a starter, dist cap, rotor, plugs, ignition coil, fuel pump, sending unit and battery. Also, I have a draw somewhere that drains my battery when its turned off so it wont start so i just take the negative wire off the terminal so it doesn't drain. Its a problem I really don't feel like dealing with or really know how to until I fix the stalling/no fuel problem. Maybe just make a master switch or something?

I have a wire under my dash from the previous owner who had a remote starter installed that has power when key is on, cranking and running. Im thinking just running a new power wire from the sending unit power wire to that wire. I made a new ground and the fuel level wire works. This probably wont work, but if you guys have any ideas, let me know please! I've been building this truck for almost a year now and im getting really frustrated

[JGR1517]

Also, it had stock dual tanks and now only has the passenger side one. I don't know if that will affect anything...

[bake74]

     You did not mention anything about checking or replacing your fuel filter. (unless it is in included with the pump)  A dirty fuel filter can plug up the more it runs, think of it this way.  When the truck is off and just sitting, the particles in the filter will separate and free up flow, as you start the truck and fuel flows through the filter it packs up again and restricts the flow over a given amount of time.  If it is not the filter, start at the tank and trace to engine where you are loosing/getting no fuel pressure.
     As far as draining the battery, you more than likely has a short or grounding out somehow.  My first inclination would be to check everything that is a add on first.  Then once those are eliminated, you need to start with your electrical system to find the problem, which is for most people the hardest thing to do because they do not understand electricity very well.

[JGR1517]

Thanks bake74. I forgot to mention I did replace the fuel filter as well. With the ele trial issue, I think youre right on the shorting out. When i turn the truck on, I never hear the pump which I should. So im thinking im losing voltage somewhere on the sending unit line. Maybe touching the frame or other body part somewhere? I think if so, it explains why when the truck gets hot, there is no fuel shooting from the injectors (shorting out?) 

Would that wire touching be enough to drain my batter over a few days?

Today I put a direct line from the sending unit to a wire that has power when key on, cranking and running and it fired right up and ran fine. Mind you I haven't been able to drive it around and really test it when it gets hot, but so far so good. What do you think?

[bake74]

     If you suspect your fuel pump might be loosing power, a common problem is the ground on these.  Take it off and clean the area really good and make sure the connection is solid.


Would that wire touching be enough to drain my batter over a few days?

     It would have to be a wire that is on the circuit that would be hot all the time, otherwise when you turn off your truck the wire/wires would go dead. 
     Have you check your alternator to see if it is working properly ?  Check your battery with a DC volt meter with it off, take note of volts.  Start truck and check battery again, with the truck started and the alternator working, you should have 14 volts on the battery (or close to that number ).  If you have less than 12 your alternator might be faulty.

[jaredts]

Doesn't the ignition control module shut down the fuel pump when its going out on a tbi?

[JGR1517]

Yeah I think I'll get to replacing the ICM. What about the pickup coil that's inside the distributor?