SureTrack Real Fix: Stay Grounded

Intermittent bad grounds can cause major frustration? SureTrack community member obrienwill9 had a GMC pickup in their shop that was brought in for a no start condition and they repaired it but it returned a few days later. They posed the question to the community, and with the help of fellow community member omemee1 and others, they were able to resolve the issue.

The following Real Fix summarizes the interaction between them in the community that led to the solution.

Vehicle
1999 GMC Pickup K2500 5.7L

Title
No Start, Low Fuel Pressure, Repaired Ground

Complaint
No Start

Diagnostic Steps Performed/Parts Replaced
Customer complains vehicle died in driveway. Went to the home and checked basics, fuel and spark. Found no fuel at rail but couldn’t hear pump relay cycle. Towed to shop and tested power and ground at pump and found both present. Replaced fuel pump and in-line filter. Fuel pressure at rail was 55-60psi, but still no fire. Tested spark and found good spark. Good injector pulse and CKP scoped good as well. After cranking for some time, codes P1336 and P1621 popped up. Cleared codes and they didn’t reappear. Dumped fuel into intake and truck fired but sputtered and then ran fine. Restarted several times after that and road tested fine. Customer returns 3 days later with fuel smell. Drops it off and leaves. After 20 or so minutes I go out to bring into bay and truck starts then dies and wont restart. Test all basics again now have 30psi at rail and good voltage at pump. Dump fuel into intake will run then die. What am I missing?

Best Answer from Community Member omemee1
Check power and ground to fuel pump. I also would check current draw on fuel pump. Just a thought, if fuel regulator is leaking could pump hold pressure?

Cause
Bad engine block ground.

Correction
Repaired engine block to frame ground.