2000 Chevrolet Venture miniVan Died in traffic

[B.autry4711A]

Good day everyone,<br /><br />I have a question concerning a 2000 Chevrolet Venture minivan that my neighbor owns. Yesterday my neighbor was comming home for work and his van died on him and had to get it towed back to his home which is a few houses down from me. Anyway he wanted me to look at it and figure it out. What I did is pulled #3 plug wire which was the only easy one to get to and check for spark and he has that. I also went under the van to where the fuel filter is and disconnected the fuel line on the gas tank side going into the fuel filter and had him turn the key to on and even start position and no gass/fuel came out at all just residue when I didconnected it. Anyway I am thinking there is a bad fuel pump or could it be a bad fule pump relay if it has one? What do you guys think and yes the battery in it is brand new and has plenty of cranking juice. It just want fire over with the starter working. I beleive fuel delivery is the problem. What do you guys think? Thanks, Bob

 

[Xcusme]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Venture miniVan Died in traffic

I have the same van ('98). Sure sounds like a fuel pump has gone South. You can probe the fuel pump wire for DC voltage. If you have voltage, replace the pump. No, voltage, check the fuel pump reply. BTW, you should hear the pump motor running if it's working. The fuel pump relay normally closes when you first turn the key, this builds pressure to start the motor. After it starts, voltage is supplied to the fuel pump thru the oil sending switch. A symptom that the pump relay is bad is if you have to crank the motor for more than a few seconds, then it starts. The motor cranking and oil pressure rise closes the circuit to the pump which finally kicks in , that's the reason for the long crank time before the motor starts. You can try using a rubber mallet on the fuel tank. Sometimes this slight jarring will get a stuck fuel pump running again. This is a stop gap measure, just to get going again. Pump replacement is the fix.

 

[B.autry4711A]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Venture miniVan Died in traffic

Where is the fuel pump relay on this particular van? I will try that first and see if that is it if not then it is time for the fuel pump change. Also, Where is the fuel pump located inside the tank or outside of it?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Venture miniVan Died in traffic

Here is a mechanics trick to try..... get a block of wood and a hammer and hit the fuel tank on the bottom. A couple of good wacks and try to start the van. Fuel pump failures are common and that was the way the mechanics would start a vehicle to get it into the shop to replace the pump inside the tank. I have seen it done and Xcuseme is right on the money!!

You can try using a rubber mallet on the fuel tank. Sometimes this slight jarring will get a stuck fuel pump running again. This is a stop gap measure, just to get going again. Pump replacement is the fix.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Venture miniVan Died in traffic

Originally posted by Big Bubba:<br /> Where is the fuel pump relay on this particular van? I will try that first and see if that is it if not then it is time for the fuel pump change. Also, Where is the fuel pump located inside the tank or outside of it?

Perhaps I didn't explain the concept. <br />Assuming the pump is OK. If the fuel pump relay is defective, the motor should still start after a long crank of the starter. This cranking will build oil pressure. The oil pressure switch will send voltage to the pump and then the motor will start. The fuel pump relay is for quickly building fuel pressure to the motor for quick starts. The oil sending switch is a safety switch, if you loose oil pressure the voltage to the fuel pump will stop and kills the motor.<br /><br />The chances of the relay and the oil sending switch going bad at the same time are very remote. The fuel pump is the most likely culprit.<br /><br />The fuel pump is located inside of the fuel tank. You'll have to drain the tank, drop tank, replace fuel pump and remount tank.