[arnoldsmind]

I am working on a 1996 Impala SS with 180K Miles. I have a crank no start issue. Car runs with starter fluid, but nothing after that.

I uploaded a video on YouTube to give a 1st hand look

So far: New Battery, New Fuel Pump Relay, Fuel Pump Working, spark confirm, fuel injector fuse in tact, fuel being delivered to engine, no fuel pressure at Schrader valve..

 

[95wagon]

If I were to guess and your info is ACCURATE,

Blocked fuel filter
OR
Leak between fuel pump and the sender- holder so fuel isnt building any pressure .
OR
Regulator is jammed open so the fuel is being returned from the rails before any pressure is built up.

Get a pressure gauge on the rail.

Verify the pressure or lack of it

I would begin by removing the return off the regulator blocking it and momentarily activating the pump.
If it pins the pressure guage then the regulator is the culprit.
If no pressure and you are positive ( back to your info) the pump is running, you either have the big leak inside the tank or the filter is plugged solid.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

No fuel pressure at schrader valve either means that the fuel filter is completely blocked or the fuel pump assembly is not doing what you expect.

You mention Fuel Pump Working - How do you know this?

Replace $12 filter if you're unsure, but probably not the case

Fuel pump may not be pumping
Tank may be out/low on gas
Tube coming out of fuel pump may be broken/split/disconnected

 

[arnoldsmind]

If I were to guess and your info is ACCURATE,

Blocked fuel filter
OR
Leak between fuel pump and the sender- holder so fuel isnt building any pressure .
OR
Regulator is jammed open so the fuel is being returned from the rails before any pressure is built up.

Get a pressure gauge on the rail.

Verify the pressure or lack of it

I would begin by removing the return off the regulator blocking it and momentarily activating the pump.
If it pins the pressure guage then the regulator is the culprit.
If no pressure and you are positive ( back to your info) the pump is running, you either have the big leak inside the tank or the filter is plugged solid.

The Fuel is getting to the engine. I captured it in the second half of the video I recorded and added a link to.

 

[arnoldsmind]

No fuel pressure at schrader valve either means that the fuel filter is completely blocked or the fuel pump assembly is not doing what you expect.

You mention Fuel Pump Working - How do you know this?

Replace $12 filter if you're unsure, but probably not the case

Fuel pump may not be pumping
Tank may be out/low on gas
Tube coming out of fuel pump may be broken/split/disconnected

Fuel pump is operational and the line is in tact. I disconnected the inlet line and recorded fuel coming out at the fuel rail.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

My apologies - I didn't watch the video initially.

I'd start with what 95wagon mentioned and look at the fuel pressure regulator.

With a fuel pressure gauge on the shrader valve, Pinch/block the return line and see if it builds fuel pressure.

 

[arnoldsmind]

My apologies - I didn't watch the video initially.

I'd start with what 95wagon mentioned and look at the fuel pressure regulator.

With a fuel pressure gauge on the shrader valve, Pinch/block the return line and see if it builds fuel pressure.

I took the battery to Autozone to get charged. I will work on the Regulator in the AM.

 

[95wagon]

If you haven't get a gauge on it.

Fuel running out of the hose at no pressure doesn't nessasarily mean there isnt a leak at the pump ,
It could freely run out the line at the front with no restriction but stop flowing , pissing away in the tank, as soon as you ask the system to build pressure.

Or the regulator is dumping the fuel back to the tank not allowing the pressure to rise in the rails

 

[sherlock9c1]

please always use a fuel pressure gauge. Pumping gas into the engine compartment like that is extremely risky.

Can you post a video with your phone directly below the gas tank while you turn the ignition on? I want to hear how the fuel pump sounds.

I have learned the hard way on these cars and others that just because you can hear a fuel pump running doesn’t mean it’s producing usable pressure.

 

[arnoldsmind]

please always use a fuel pressure gauge. Pumping gas into the engine compartment like that is extremely risky.

Can you post a video with your phone directly below the gas tank while you turn the ignition on? I want to hear how the fuel pump sounds.

I have learned the hard way on these cars and others that just because you can hear a fuel pump running doesn’t mean it’s producing usable pressure.

I added the video you requested to my iG story.

https://instagram.com/boprestoration?igshid=ZmZhODViOGI=

 

[sherlock9c1]

Got it. Fuel pump sounds healthy but it's not loading up (RPMs start out high but then they should drop as pressure builds). Based on that, I don't think it's the fuel filter clogged. I'd drop the tank and verify that there's not a leak between the pump and the top of the sending unit. If the sending unit has been replaced, there's a known issue that the newer sending units used a rubber hose not rated for 43psi, and it splits after 300 miles. You'll get exactly the behavior you're seeing here.

If you drop the tank and find a ruptured hose, this is the part you may need: Goodies Speed 75114.

 

[roy williams]

you do the fuel pressure gauge ... the correct pressure is 45-47 psi to turn the key on no engine cranking ..
the fuel pressure is dropping around 37psi no engine running ....
also if the fuel pressure is using the hose in the container your not gone to do the pressure ....
my 96 Impala changed the fuel pump ,,,, inspected it of the electrical contacts cleaned it .. the fuel pump was the positive contact and the harness connection then I changed the connector .. the fuel pump motor was the positive brush and the brush was worn out ....

 

[arnoldsmind]

you do the fuel pressure gauge ... the correct pressure is 45-47 psi to turn the key on no engine cranking ..
the fuel pressure is dropping around 37psi no engine running ....
also if the fuel pressure is using the hose in the container your not gone to do the pressure ....
my 96 Impala changed the fuel pump ,,,, inspected it of the electrical contacts cleaned it .. the fuel pump was the positive contact and the harness connection then I changed the connector .. the fuel pump motor was the positive brush and the brush was worn out ....

Are you saying that the regulator was moved to the pump? Should the fuel be coming out as more of a spray?

 

[sherlock9c1]

@arnoldsmind no. Follow my instructions above; disconnect the fuel lines and filler neck and drop the tank.

 

[roy williams]

Are you saying that the regulator was moved to the pump? Should the fuel be coming out as more of a spray?

the fuel pump is the gas tank then the regulator of the passenger side engine of the intake manifold .. used the pressure gauge ...to the regulator 45-47 psi turn the key no start fuel pump turned the key and the 3-5 sec turn on the fuel pump ..
if that pressure is no starting the engine the fuel pressure is around 37psi and lower ...
I know those forum guys not doing the fuel gauge pressure ..
MY 2000 SILVERADO 5.3l FUEL PUMP WAS INSIDE THE FUEL TANK REGULATOR AND FUEL PUMP MOTOR .....
UPDATED .....
the gas tank Impala is a old gas tank of the decades and the engines are the fuel pump of the front of the engine ..also those carbs ...my 84 camaro berlinetta is on the engine front of the fuel pump...

 

[arnoldsmind]

I'm headed to Harbor Freight to get a Fuel Pressure gauge. If there is no pressure what is the next step? If it was holding pressure shouldnt fuel come out of the schrader valve?

 

[arnoldsmind]

If you haven't get a gauge on it.

Fuel running out of the hose at no pressure doesn't nessasarily mean there isnt a leak at the pump ,
It could freely run out the line at the front with no restriction but stop flowing , pissing away in the tank, as soon as you ask the system to build pressure.

Or the regulator is dumping the fuel back to the tank not allowing the pressure to rise in the rails

With the return hose disconnected there was no fuel coming out to go back to the tank. It seems like the fuel is getting stuck at the injectors. Wouldnt the fuel injectors send enough gas to an engine and start it even if it rev'd low?

 

[95wagon]

Think we kinda covered this .
If you are not building pressure , first disconnect the return line off the regulator .
If fuel is coming out and you are not building pressure the regulator is bunned.
The regulator should be closed at anything below the rated pressure.


IF nothing comes out of the regulator and no pressure is being built up , the likely culprit is a leak inside the tank.

BTW you do not need to crank or either start the engine.
Next to the AC accumulator you will find a single loose red wire with a terminal on it .
If you feed it 12volts the pump will run.

 

[95wagon]

You posted as I was typing.
I beleive there is a pressure threshold below which the injector will not pass fuel .

 

[roy williams]

I'm headed to Harbor Freight to get a Fuel Pressure gauge. If there is no pressure what is the next step? If it was holding pressure shouldnt fuel come out of the schrader valve?

the GM valve is the fuel pressure of the schrader valve on the intake manifold ,, .harbor freight uses the hose and the connector of the GM pressure gauges .. the shut off valves around the gauge ..
...then the fuel pressures are many other connectors of different companies ..

Fuel Injection Pump Tester

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