Intermitent operation of fuel pump located in fuel tank. Removal of fuel level sending unit and fuel pump assembly revealed a burnt connector and melted wire insulation, resulting in poor continuity to fuel pump. Vehicle would crank but not always start. Vehicle would also stall while driving with no warning.
1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 52, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The power supply connector to fuel pump inside the fuel tank at upper end of pickup/fuel pump support tubes burned hot enough to soften the copper connector causing it to open up and shut off fuel pump causing engine to stop running. Approximately 2 inches of wire insulation was melted off at the top connector end. This is inside the fuel tank surrounded by fumes and fuel. If air was introduced there would have been an explosion. This is the factory installed fuel pump and fuse did not blow even though the wire was exposed and near metal components. I've owned the truck since new. Richardson brothers chevrolet in floresville, texas and other auto part dealers informed me that this is very common and have seen worse damage to wiring. The dealer wanted over $400.00 for the parts which include new pickup tubes with fuel level float and fuel pump. I'm a quality control inspector for aircraft and this would have grounded the entire series of that particular aircraft. (twa flight 800).
The pickup's idle would vary from full throttle to barely stay running while in park. Would also go into full throttle while driving, then attempt to die. Took to a mechanic, changed the full filter, still didn't correct the problem; he put it on the computer for analysis showed it was the throttle sensor, that was replaced and it still does it.
I have had a dangerous situation occur with a failure in the fuel injection system, involving the wiring harness and vehicle control module (vcm) of my 1997 chevrolet k1500. The vehicle was towed into a chevrolet dealer, for service due to a crank but no-start issue on january 29, 2004. Upon diagnosis by the mechanics, they determined that the fuel injection system had somehow developed a leak, which caused fuel pressure to build-up where the wiring-harness entered the unit. Then, fuel was forced at high pressure between the wires and insulation until it pooled up inside the vcm. The dealer's mechanic, per diagnostic testing, stated that the installation of a new vcm, wiring harness, and injector system is necessary to fix the problem. I consulted with a different gm mechanic from another dealership about this problem and he said I was lucky it did not explode, and recommended that I contact gm owners assistance about this matter, however they were of no help and would not recognize the danger of this situation. This is an extreme safety hazard that could have caused a damaging engine fire and possible injury or worse. Therefore, I am requesting that a recall would be placed on this problem to prevent possible injury to others.
I would like to make this complaint very clear and to the point. I have been viewing the complaints located on your website and feel that there is a significant pupose for recalling these vehicles. I purchased a 1997 chevy k20 approx 1 1/2 years ago. Everything seemed to work fine until a few months later. I started to experience some steering problems. It does not matter if I am driving around a corner or straight but the steering will become very loose and veer into one direction all on its own. That is just one of the significant problems I have experienced with owning this vehicle. I now have come to find that there is even a greater threat to my safety and that of my family because I have now been informed that my fuel gauge and fuel pump wires, inside the gas tank, melted insulation and burnt the connector. This could have been a deadly experience for myself and that of anyone that could have been in the vehicle with me if it would have caught fire prior to my knowledge of this information. I feel that the first sign of this problem is that the gas gauge will start to malfunction, which leaves you guessing at the amount of gas in the tank. I feel this matter needs immediate attention due to the fact that owners/drivers of vehicles are required to carry auto insurance, however, this is something that none of us has any controll over. If we wait until someone becomes involved in an accident, that would seem senseless that possibly someones life would have to end before this situation be taken seriously. I have to demand that some action be taken before it is too late for someone.
The radiator's coolant system failed, resulting in fluid accumulation in the transmission on two occasions. Was fixed twice, causing a tow by the dealer on the second time. The transmission continued to shift hard from first to second, had another dealer look at it, said it was "junk." notified gm, they did nothing because the first dealer didn't report the problem. Had to pay for a transmission overhaul at 70,000 miles... Very expensive! The fuel indicator has also failed. The fuel pump has failed and had to be replaced. The door handles have fallen off. The windshield wipers have failed several times, but is over the 70,000 mile limit of replacement. Also had to replace the master cylinder. Hmmm... Maybe the dealer was right about being junk without a warranty. So sad that we spent thousands of dollars for products like this.
Fuel line is leaking from fuel injection causing fuel go throught the wore harness and eat away harness then into the computer. Then the engine died while driving down the road causing it to be hard to steer and control. Possible engine fire and stall hazard.
Truck was running fine with no indication of trouble when parked, upon reentry truck did not even attempt to start, engine would turn spin freely. Towed to shop. Fuel pump supposedly failed according to independent repair shop and was replaced with 46,000 miles on truck. Truck drove less than 500 miles and failed to start with seemingly the same problem. Towed to cheverolet dealership for repairs. Fuel pump sending unit connection inside the tank was burned out. Service manager said this was a common failure for all cheverolet trucks with vortec engines. He returned the defective sending unit to me and I could plainly see the burned electrical connection at the top of the unit. Under the right conditions an explosion would be possible if sufficient oxygen was in the tank. Fuel pump and component parts should last longer than 46,000 miles.
The feul pump went out, first time at 61013 miles, was relaced with 200 dollar deductable. Then went out again at75860 miles, but this time they said also the sending unit. That holds the pump went out. They showed me burnt wires on this part, so sence it wasnt only the pump ,cost me another 200 deducted instead of getting replaced at no charge. I've read others have had same problems as I, and feel that something needs to be done about this before it does cause a fire and fatalitys. Dt
On 7/9/02 the truck would not start. Had it towed to the shop. It was found that the wires that attatch to the fuel pump, which is inside the gas tank, were shorted out. There is visible melting and corroding of the connectors. Considering that the whole device, plus the wiring is inside the fuel tank, and since there was a short in the wiring, there could have been a serious fire or explosion. This truck was a bomb waiting to blow up. Upon searching the internet, I have found many, many complaints regarding the gm fuel pumps failing and the wiring shorting out. No one has had any luck getting gm to recall the pumps, and since we just spent almost $500 for the repair, I thought I would inform you of this serious risk of injury. Gm should be concerned with this flaw, and I was told that they are aware of the problem.
While replacing fuel pump, consumer noticed that three wires that went into gas tank melted down half way. Contacted dealer and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak pump, sender, strainer, fuel filter, fuel cam and dampener were replaced.
Intake manifold gasket failed. Searched web and found this is very common problem, yet no recall. I'm out $700 and gm says it is not a design flaw?
While driving 20 MPH engine stalled. Vehicle towed to dealer and they the replaced fuel pump module assembly. *ak
Truck has had continual problems with major components other than wear and tear. It is not used for normal driving conditions.no safety defect listed.
Excessive fuel pump noise, audible from closed cab location
Vehcile kept stalling on highway. Electrical wiring in fuel pump caused pump to go bad. If ignited, it could have caused a fire. Fuel pump was replaced.
Fuel pump failed replaced at my cost by dealer.coolant hose from intake to heater failed common problem alternator replaced at my costed at my cost,common problem. Intate leak(coolant) not yet repaired. Mass air flow sensor replaced at my cost,part only available from gm.
Fuel pump failed after ruling out that the relay was o.k. The vehical was towed to hallowell chevrolet at roadsides assistance and informed me that all costs would be taken care of but due to the warrantee had already expired,per the dealer, I was stuck with the cost regardless of the mileage.
Gas gauge malfunctioned and went out which did not indicate the actual fuel reading. Also, when backing up vehicle was making a noise, contacted mechanic. Mechanic said probably there wasn't any grease put in at factory resulting in the universal joints were dry and rusted. Universal joints were replaced.
No summary
Reporting seal around fuel pump fail and causing a fuel leakages; dealer / mfr's notified and informed that part was not cover under a recalls and any repairs would be at consumer cost. Please provide any further details:
Wiring harness inside the gas tank assembly burned up, cause unkown. Please give any further details.
Engine check light illuminated on the dashboard, and vehicle stalled out and cut off. Consumer contacted dealer. Dealer linked the problem to an electrical short within the fuel tank which caused the vehicle to malfunction. Please provide any further details.
Defective fuel pump malfunctioned, causing vehicle to stall which could have caused a crash. Dealer replaced the fuel pump at consumer's cost. Please provide further information.
The steering causes the truck to swerve out of driving lane. The fuel pump shut off in the middle of the hwy. With no warning. The windshield wiper motor would work intermitantly when ever it felt like, this same wiper motor is used on gmc trucks and has been recalled why hasn't it be rcalled on chevrolet trucks, it's the exact same part #. Engine cooling lines leaked at oil cooler, dealer banner chevrolet changed oil pan gasket , rear oil crank seal and then oil pan gasket again to no avail, brought to bryan chevrolet which is another dealer and they fixed the leak turned out to be o ring on oil cooler housing.
While driving engine stopped and would not start. Had to be towed, mechanic said it was the fuel pump filter sending unit. Fuel pump was not running, and wires in the tank were getting hot and melting whick could cause an explosion.
Shortly aftet warranty had expired fuel pump went out. Service personnel mentiond problems with fuel pumps that if tank was ran empty pump would overheat and fail. Suggested that we not let fuel tank get below 1/4 tank as to keep pump cooled.
Reported to the dealer that the fuel pump was excessively noisy at 8957 miles. Notified that this was normal. At 46395 the fuel pump died. Dealer should have replaced when first reported.
Wires in fuel pump inside gas tank overheated to the point that plastic parts melted. We feel that this could be a major fire risk because the whole assembly is inside the tank.
The wire inside the fuel pump shorted out, leaving an exposed wire inside the fuel tank. Dealer is inspecting the vehicle.
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