not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

snacob14 · 07-08-2010, 06:42 PM

well, I was working on my truck the other night. I installed some speakers using the original wired going to the rear of hte seat. Now it won't start. it started up that night after I was finished. The next morning...nothing. I needed to replace the tank. so, I replaced the tank, sending unit, pump and fuel filter. Nothing? If I put a cap full of gas in the tbi, it starts right up, but then runs out of fuel. its an 87 short bed tbi 350.

I need some other Ideas. I checked the ground for the pump it seems like its getting a ground, but I don't hear it kick on? should I hear it kick on or not? please send some ideas my way, I really need this thing tomorrow.

Prerunner1982 · 07-08-2010, 06:52 PM

You should hear it kick on to prime the system just before you start it. I would also check to see if the pump is even getting power. There may be a relay as well that may be bad. It has been awhile since I had my 87 and I didn't have it long enough to get into the fuel system wiring schematics.

I am assuming your truck is a single tank? My 87 was dual tanks but only one worked... one time my kiddo flipped the switch and I didn't know it. Thought the fuel pump had gone out.... spent a long day trying to fix something that wasn't broke.

Jimboland · 07-08-2010, 07:35 PM

Ditto on the switch. Flipped it once when I was working on my radio. I have dual tanks with only one working, couldn't figure it out for the life of me. If you have dual tanks, deff. check the switch!

snacob14 · 07-08-2010, 09:47 PM

it was the switch lol

Prerunner1982 · 07-09-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snacob14

it was the switch lol

Glad I am not the only one....

Easy fix though...

chevymotocross · 07-09-2010, 09:19 AM

Been there DONE THAT lol. Same scenario too, while working on my stereo.

Low87 · 07-09-2010, 11:35 AM

Gotta love an easy fix. Add me to the 'been there, done that' club.

crossy's son · 07-09-2010, 10:33 PM

My Dad's 87 305tbi shortbed has working dual tanks!! haha.

Now you have 2 fuel pumps to go bad!

55chevy · 07-10-2010, 12:11 AM

So what is the problem with the dual tanks that do this? One of the pumps is shot? Mine is the same.

cableguy0 · 07-10-2010, 12:13 AM

if the selector switch is in the middle neither side will work.

crossy's son · 07-10-2010, 02:19 AM

Yea Both tanks have an In-Tank fuel pump . So when you hit the switch you send 12v to the other side tanks's fuel pump...

This is why 87 Dual tank stuff is one year only, like the wiring, the switch, the tank, sending unit, fuel pump. It's all 87 only because of TBI

Prerunner1982 · 07-12-2010, 11:55 AM

In my case I think it was a bad fuel pump on the other side, but since gas was so expensive I didn't need to run the dual tanks and carry around all that extra weight. My 87 got 16 mpg and I filled up once a week. Worked out fine for me.

RandyP · 07-12-2010, 11:59 AM

When we painted the lower dash on my 87 last week I took everything off, including the switch for the tank selection. I guess it will not start with no switch. I was about to start shooting the poor truck. Got a few items back on after the paint work, including the switch, and it fired right up. Was a very frustrating day.

07-08-2010, 06:42 PM	#1
snacob14 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Desoto, MO Posts: 225	not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! well, I was working on my truck the other night. I installed some speakers using the original wired going to the rear of hte seat. Now it won't start. it started up that night after I was finished. The next morning...nothing. I needed to replace the tank. so, I replaced the tank, sending unit, pump and fuel filter. Nothing? If I put a cap full of gas in the tbi, it starts right up, but then runs out of fuel. its an 87 short bed tbi 350. I need some other Ideas. I checked the ground for the pump it seems like its getting a ground, but I don't hear it kick on? should I hear it kick on or not? please send some ideas my way, I really need this thing tomorrow.

07-08-2010, 06:52 PM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! You should hear it kick on to prime the system just before you start it. I would also check to see if the pump is even getting power. There may be a relay as well that may be bad. It has been awhile since I had my 87 and I didn't have it long enough to get into the fuel system wiring schematics. I am assuming your truck is a single tank? My 87 was dual tanks but only one worked... one time my kiddo flipped the switch and I didn't know it. Thought the fuel pump had gone out.... spent a long day trying to fix something that wasn't broke. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

07-08-2010, 07:35 PM	#3
Jimboland Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sewell, NJ Posts: 7	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! Ditto on the switch. Flipped it once when I was working on my radio. I have dual tanks with only one working, couldn't figure it out for the life of me. If you have dual tanks, deff. check the switch!

07-08-2010, 09:47 PM	#4
snacob14 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Desoto, MO Posts: 225	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! it was the switch lol

07-09-2010, 09:19 AM	#6
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! Been there DONE THAT lol. Same scenario too, while working on my stereo. __________________ 87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch

07-09-2010, 11:35 AM	#7
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! Gotta love an easy fix. Add me to the 'been there, done that' club. __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

07-09-2010, 10:33 PM	#8
crossy's son Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pennsville, New jersey (southern) Posts: 143	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! My Dad's 87 305tbi shortbed has working dual tanks!! haha. Now you have 2 fuel pumps to go bad! __________________ Mine- '91 GMC RCSB 2wd, 350tbi, 5 speed, 3.42 G80 -Dad/Me Projects/Toys 75 SWB Silverado Factory 454, Th400 87 SWB Silverado 305tbi, 700r4, 2.73's...17.4 @74mph a couple dodge cummins trucks. PLEASE DO NOT MESSAGE ME ABOUT FACTORY TACH DASHES, I AM NOT MY FATHER AND I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THEM. Thanks

07-10-2010, 12:11 AM	#9
55chevy Car Truck Bike Nut Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Suffolk Virginia Posts: 850	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! So what is the problem with the dual tanks that do this? One of the pumps is shot? Mine is the same. __________________ Snow free Florida panhandle, don't miss Indiana winters Temp in Suffolk Virginia, Sentenced 2 to 5 years LOL 68 shortfleet project 94 3500 TD dually so many cars so little time 72 K2 CST 2WD Blazer

07-10-2010, 12:13 AM	#10
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! if the selector switch is in the middle neither side will work. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

07-10-2010, 02:19 AM	#11
crossy's son Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pennsville, New jersey (southern) Posts: 143	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! Yea Both tanks have an In-Tank fuel pump . So when you hit the switch you send 12v to the other side tanks's fuel pump... This is why 87 Dual tank stuff is one year only, like the wiring, the switch, the tank, sending unit, fuel pump. It's all 87 only because of TBI __________________ Mine- '91 GMC RCSB 2wd, 350tbi, 5 speed, 3.42 G80 -Dad/Me Projects/Toys 75 SWB Silverado Factory 454, Th400 87 SWB Silverado 305tbi, 700r4, 2.73's...17.4 @74mph a couple dodge cummins trucks. PLEASE DO NOT MESSAGE ME ABOUT FACTORY TACH DASHES, I AM NOT MY FATHER AND I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THEM. Thanks

07-12-2010, 11:55 AM	#12
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! In my case I think it was a bad fuel pump on the other side, but since gas was so expensive I didn't need to run the dual tanks and carry around all that extra weight. My 87 got 16 mpg and I filled up once a week. Worked out fine for me. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

07-12-2010, 11:59 AM	#13
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: not starting 87 tbi truck? please help!!! When we painted the lower dash on my 87 last week I took everything off, including the switch for the tank selection. I guess it will not start with no switch. I was about to start shooting the poor truck. Got a few items back on after the paint work, including the switch, and it fired right up. Was a very frustrating day.

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