Just installed a new tank and pump.... now not working!

[chevymotocross]

I really want to cry. For those of you who have replaced a fuel tank on a 73-87, you know how difficult it is. I got a new tank, and carter pump and strainer for my 87. It took me litterally 4 hours to line everything up and I finally got it. I put a little bit of fuel in, to make sure she would start and run on that tank. She fired up and ran for about 30 seconds. I turned it off, and drove to the gas station on my other fuel tank. I put $10 of fuel in, select the switch over to that tank. My gauge goes way past full and it won't start or run on that tank I think I would like to scream.

[chevymotocross]

And just to add, this must obviously be a grounding issue. For the guage to jump wayyyyy past the full mark on $10 worth of fuel, and for no fuel to be pumping, it's shorting somewhere. On my 87, it consisted of 3 fuel hoses (which I re-installed correctly), an actual wire that had a 2-prong connector at the end, I'm guessing that is for the sending unit and pump, a very thin, which appeared to be a ground wire, and then at the filler neck, a grounding strap wire. That very thin "ground wire", I had to cut in order to drop the old tank, there was no room to see where it actually connected. On installation, I twisted the wire together and added a crimp. Just because I cut it, does not mean it can't work, it's intertwined, it has to make contact! I will take a look again this weekend but if it's nothing to do with the wiring outside the tank, maybe the new pump is just faulty. I saved the working old one just in case.

[Captkaos]

The one you pulled out worked?
Can you even tell if the motor is priming or is it doing nothing at all?

[chevymotocross]

The one I pulled worked, the only reason I replaced the pump/strainer was because the job is tough enough replacing a tank, so I figured while I'm there why not throw in a $40 pump. It must not be priming at all, because as soon as I would switch to the auxillary tank, the truck would fire right up. Here is the wierd part, yesterday I go to show a buddy what is wrong, and the pump operates and has an accurate gauge. I was able to drive around all day yesterday on the new pump. I will see what happens today. I still don't trust it though. For it to not work for an entire day, after I installed it, still does not sit well with me.

[Captkaos]

That is weird. BTW, the ground goes from the tank to the frame.

[chevymotocross]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

That is weird. BTW, the ground goes from the tank to the frame.

I am dropping the tank. It lasted a couple days but today I went over a speed bump and it happened. I think the crimp I used is not working properly.

[1975stepside]

I work in an Auto Electric place. One of our techs says he'd only have HALF the business if it wasn't for bad butt-connector connections. He ALWAYS solders and shrink wraps connections, and it prevents us getting comebacks.

[rfmaster]

The problem is not with a butt connector. The problem is that just about every single common crimper on store shelf (you know 19.95) will not form a proper crimp. Professional grade crimping tool costs hundreds of dollars - usually available only from electrical connector manufactures -AMP, PANDUIT, and others. In addition, commonly available butt connectors are incorrectly designed - hint Chinese made garbage. Most of the 'butt' connectors are really Siamese junctions which require the two wires to overlap each other before being crimp. So, what you have is a perfect storm - bad tool and incorrectly used connector.
I agree that forming a proper solder, heat shrink it and wrap-it - it is still better than nothing.

//RF