97 GMC Suburban Died...What Happened?

[Tracey Levin]

Well, I was driving along the highway last night at about 60 and as I went down a small hill, I felt a sudden shrug of the vehicle, but for a few seconds, I thought the cruise control had simply stopped because I was going a little faster down the hill, but in a few seconds more, I realized the truck was slowing down still!

I was able to top the hill and exit the freeway where I went down the ramp and into a Taco Bell parking lot,..at 2:00am in a very bad area. Scary...nope, left the cell phone back home.

The Taco Bell employees were inside, but when I tapped on the locked door and asked them to make a call for me, they acted like I was one dumb sob freezing in the night as they openly laughed at me. This went on for half an hour, but I had no other choice but to be persistent. They eventually came out to their cars to go home at which point the laughing had ceased when I confronted them again asking the three to make a call which one finally did.

The truck sat there in the middle of the parking lot. All systems seemed to be working perfectly except for the fact that the engine just turned over and would not start.

It appeared that no gas was getting to the engine. I'm guessing its a dead fuel pump, but it seemed really odd that the truck was running fine then it just died at 60mph.

I bet one of you has had this happen, as well. Its freezing cold outside. A bit of your knowledge would sure help about now.

Thanks much,

Tracey

 

[ferretx9]

I've read that peeps have been driving along just fine , shut of truck and it
won't re-start because of the pump so...

What you can do -
Turn the key to run position and listen for the pump .
Hit the gas tank with a block of wood and then try to start it
( read that here )
Possibility - fuel filter clogged up ?
gas gauge incorrect and your tank is empty ?

Unrelated but still - I'd be asking a taco bell manager if it was company policy
to have employees laugh at motorists that are in distress in the middle of a freezing
night , and if I found his answer dis-satisfactory you can believe I would be calling his boss.
Good luck and let us know how you fare

 

[ISLANDER914]

I had a 88 s10 blazer that did the same thing. Not even a check engine light or even a thump or clunk... turned out to be the timing chain, not fun. It could be anything, good luck!!! If its not the fuel pump and it still cranks, look or feel inside the valve cover while someone cranks it. you should be able to see the rocker arms moving. If not its probably the chain.

 

[gkomp]

A shot of starting fluid will give you an answer. If it starts for a second off the juice, you likely have a bad pump.

 

[dbutton1990]

Defiantly check your fuel pump. Have someone in the truck and take a screw driver and put it to the tank and put the handle to your ear. Have them turn the key(don't start it but just turn it to the on position) If you hear the pump kick on you're good. If not then you need a new pump. They will go out like that with no warning. Good luck!

 

[cedicol]

You can hear the fuel pump without the screw-driver as wel. Just turn the key and listen. You schould hear a buzz for about 15sec. After that it stops. If you hear that your pump is still working. I bet you wont hear it becaus the pump is death.