Today my truck decided it didn't want to start. It would crank and just not fire. I turned the key on and couldn't hear the fuel pump so I showed my 12yr old son how to turn the key on without starting the truck and got under the truck. When the key was on, there was no fuel pump for several tries. I got out the mechanics helper and whacked the pump a couple times while the key was on and it took off. I'm guessing I have the start of a fuel pump going bad but want to make sure there isn't something goofy that could make it act this way too. This problem actually happened twice today but the first time it cured itself. The second time I had to cure it.

 

If smacking the fuel pump got it to run, chances are you've found the problem. The fuel pump circuit is monitored by the PCM, so if it was being commanded on and there was no power to it, you should get a P0230 and/or P0231, P0232 code. If you get no power to the pump and no code, the problem has to be in the wiring between the inertia switch and the pump. I'd be willing to bet you're getting power to the pump, and the pump itself is the problem though.

 

Piling on with Pikachu, failing fuel pump. Not sure about a 99, but on my 02 a failing pump took out a fuse under the dash, 20A at position 19 IIRC. Something to check if you get no power to the pump.

FYI an OEM Bosch fuel pump is much better than a Vatozone or Irish part, at about the same cost.

 

Thanks for the input. I just wasn't sure if there might be something else that was locking the pump out. I ordered a replacement today. I figure it can't hurt to put the new pump on. I'd hate to be 400 miles from home and have it finally drop out on me.

 

The next time it does this, put a meter to the posts to see if the 12 volts are there.

 

Believe me, if I had a meter with me I would have done just that. I hate the tap it with a hammer method of troubleshooting. I did this as a last resort because I had no options and 2 kids in the truck who wanted to go home.