Left tank quit working. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMCLS1 · 09-26-2004, 04:56 AM

I went out driving for the day a filled my left tank up with gas. I then drove to a nearby buisness and went inside. When I came out my truck would not start. I switch the dual tank lever from the left tank to the right tank and it fired right up. Does this mean that my left tank fuel pump is dead? Or could this possibly be the switch or the fuel valve? How could I find out without taking the whole fuel tank out?

Russell · 09-26-2004, 05:00 AM

That'd be the fuel valve, very common for it to fail (infact, its rare to find one that does work...)

You can get them from GM, but expect to dish out about 100 bucks for it...

76HighSierra · 09-26-2004, 05:46 AM

When the tank switching valve fails electrically, it's default position is for the right tank. Yours sounds like the valve internals are merely "hanging up". Either way, you're likely out the cost of a new switching valve.

*1972C10* · 09-26-2004, 06:16 AM

You can get them at autozone But they will want the number off the old one. It took me forever to find a good used one and when i did i had to clean it out with air and wd-40 works good though.

C30_Dually · 09-27-2004, 11:28 PM

I was given an '81 C30 regular cab,1-ton dually with a 454, a solid cab and bed, with a fifth wheel hitch and wiring in the bed. You read that correctly - free. The previous owner bought a new crew cab dually and just parked this one for the past 4 years under a car port.

As I sort out the gremblins on the truck, one of the first that showed its head was that I couldn't switch over to the right tank (after successfully doing it a few times). Does that default-to-the-right-tank hold true for earlier models, or am I looking at a different problem?

I am very new to working on trucks, but am willing to get my hands dirty with the experience. This website is great. Glad I found it. Thanks in advance.

-Dave
C30_Dually

SanitysBane · 09-27-2004, 11:31 PM

my 83 defaulted to the left tank...

leastbay · 09-28-2004, 12:11 AM

my 85 defaulted to left too napa has the valve for like 83 bucks its a direct fit

Russell · 09-28-2004, 12:22 AM

Someone may have swapped the hoses physically underneith. I know I had my defaulted to the left tank, but when I first got it, it was defaulted to the right tank, I know that was my grandfather's doing though

1986Silverado · 09-28-2004, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMCLS1

Does this mean that my left tank fuel pump is dead? Or could this possibly be the switch or the fuel valve? How could I find out without taking the whole fuel tank out?

Could also be the fuel pump. Easy way to check for fuel pump is to turn the key to the on position and listen for it whining, should whine for about 3-4 seconds. If it doesn't whine it is the pump, relay or fuse.

C30_Dually · 09-28-2004, 11:09 PM

I'm having my front rotors turned tomorrow at NAPA. I am also replacing the front bearings and reassembling tomorrow night.

While I have the truck up on the lift, I will check for fuel pump whine, otherwise I'll get a fuel tank selector valve from NAPA.

Thanks for the ideas.

Dave
C30_Dually

leastbay · 09-29-2004, 08:34 PM

how could it be fuel pump whine? do you have an electric pump?

SanitysBane · 09-29-2004, 11:11 PM

87 was the only year in our trucks for eletric fuel pumps from the factory due to fuel injection

Destructo · 09-29-2004, 11:40 PM

You can hear the valve when it switches, just turn the ignition on (don't start the engine) and press the switch and see if you can hear it switch. The fact that you mentioned you actually switch tanks makes me believe the fuel pump is bad, if the switch was bad trying to switch tanks would have done nothing.

Russell · 09-30-2004, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destructo

You can hear the valve when it switches, just turn the ignition on (don't start the engine) and press the switch and see if you can hear it switch. The fact that you mentioned you actually switch tanks makes me believe the fuel pump is bad, if the switch was bad trying to switch tanks would have done nothing.

Not entirely true, my solenoid would click too, but it wouldn't redirect fuel...

GMCLS1 · 09-30-2004, 07:34 AM

When the switch is on the right tank and I turn the key the fuel pump whines. When the switch is on the left tank it makes no noise when the key is turned. So I guess it must be the fuel pump.

1986Silverado · 09-30-2004, 12:49 PM

Sounds like the right fuel pump is good and the left one is dead.

09-26-2004, 04:56 AM	#1
GMCLS1 1987 GMC Sierra Classic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 121	Left tank quit working. I went out driving for the day a filled my left tank up with gas. I then drove to a nearby buisness and went inside. When I came out my truck would not start. I switch the dual tank lever from the left tank to the right tank and it fired right up. Does this mean that my left tank fuel pump is dead? Or could this possibly be the switch or the fuel valve? How could I find out without taking the whole fuel tank out? __________________ Gary L Hilton jr

09-26-2004, 05:00 AM	#2
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	That'd be the fuel valve, very common for it to fail (infact, its rare to find one that does work...) You can get them from GM, but expect to dish out about 100 bucks for it... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

09-26-2004, 05:46 AM	#3
76HighSierra DAMN, I love Big Blocks! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 619	When the tank switching valve fails electrically, it's default position is for the right tank. Yours sounds like the valve internals are merely "hanging up". Either way, you're likely out the cost of a new switching valve. __________________ Marc Bona Hobbs, New Mexico 1976 1/2 ton GMC High Sierra. 454 c.i.d./ TH400. *Soon to get a mild warming over.* 3.40 rear.

09-27-2004, 11:28 PM	#5
C30_Dually Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 17	My Right Tank Quit Working? I was given an '81 C30 regular cab,1-ton dually with a 454, a solid cab and bed, with a fifth wheel hitch and wiring in the bed. You read that correctly - free. The previous owner bought a new crew cab dually and just parked this one for the past 4 years under a car port. As I sort out the gremblins on the truck, one of the first that showed its head was that I couldn't switch over to the right tank (after successfully doing it a few times). Does that default-to-the-right-tank hold true for earlier models, or am I looking at a different problem? I am very new to working on trucks, but am willing to get my hands dirty with the experience. This website is great. Glad I found it. Thanks in advance. -Dave C30_Dually

09-27-2004, 11:31 PM	#6
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	my 83 defaulted to the left tank... __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

09-26-2004, 06:16 AM	#4
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	You can get them at autozone But they will want the number off the old one. It took me forever to find a good used one and when i did i had to clean it out with air and wd-40 works good though.

09-28-2004, 12:11 AM	#7
leastbay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Charles, LA Posts: 206	my 85 defaulted to left too napa has the valve for like 83 bucks its a direct fit

09-28-2004, 12:22 AM	#8
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Someone may have swapped the hoses physically underneith. I know I had my defaulted to the left tank, but when I first got it, it was defaulted to the right tank, I know that was my grandfather's doing though __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

09-28-2004, 11:09 PM	#10
C30_Dually Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 17	I'm having my front rotors turned tomorrow at NAPA. I am also replacing the front bearings and reassembling tomorrow night. While I have the truck up on the lift, I will check for fuel pump whine, otherwise I'll get a fuel tank selector valve from NAPA. Thanks for the ideas. Dave C30_Dually

09-29-2004, 08:34 PM	#11
leastbay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Charles, LA Posts: 206	how could it be fuel pump whine? do you have an electric pump?

09-29-2004, 11:11 PM	#12
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	87 was the only year in our trucks for eletric fuel pumps from the factory due to fuel injection __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

09-29-2004, 11:40 PM	#13
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	You can hear the valve when it switches, just turn the ignition on (don't start the engine) and press the switch and see if you can hear it switch. The fact that you mentioned you actually switch tanks makes me believe the fuel pump is bad, if the switch was bad trying to switch tanks would have done nothing. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

09-30-2004, 07:34 AM	#15
GMCLS1 1987 GMC Sierra Classic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 121	fuel pump When the switch is on the right tank and I turn the key the fuel pump whines. When the switch is on the left tank it makes no noise when the key is turned. So I guess it must be the fuel pump. __________________ Gary L Hilton jr

09-30-2004, 12:49 PM	#16
1986Silverado What I drive Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Star, MS Posts: 418	Sounds like the right fuel pump is good and the left one is dead. __________________ 1986 Chevy Crew Cab Dually(Choo-Choo Conversion) 2006 Chevy Equinox



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