2003 GMC Yukon XL turns over, dies. No fuel.
Asked by Emtu Aug 11, 2016 at 02:57 PM about the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Have a 2003 GMC Yukon XL. Yesterday
driving on the interstate I noticed all of a
sudden that as I pushed my foot down on
the gas pedal no gas was going into the
car. It started to die. I pulled over turned it
off and restarted the car it didn't want to
go and then all of a sudden came to life
and drove again for a little while and then
died again. Couldn't get it started again. It
would turn over it will chug and it will die
like it starved for fuel. I'm afraid it is the
fuel pump, but I want to make sure that it
isn't something easier or cheaper to fix
first. What should I be checking? Relays
seem fine. Did the old replace one relay for
another one in the car that is the same kind
and check trick. Switched fuel pump relay
with horn relay, horn still worked.
6 Answers
Yeah, sounds like a dead/ dying fuel pump... one quick test, disconnect the fuel filter, AIM the open line into a bucket and turn the key to on/ACC (do not turn the truck on)- the pump should pump fuel into the bucket- if that doesn't happen- for sure it's a dead pump. Either way you should consider changing the pump and the fuel filter. Good luck.
Are there any other electrical issues that could cause these symptoms? Just being thorough.
There are- but the best way to ensure that you DON'T have other issues is to start with what is wrong first; which sounds like the fuel pump and fuel filter (since your relays work and you don't have any blown fuses it is unlikely you have an electrical issue).
Is there an fuel pump access hatch in the Yukon? The tank is half full. That's a lot of fuel to syphon in order to drop the tank.
The gas pump/ filter not my priority to check out in this situation. Your gas pump is controlled by the relay, and it has a fuse, etc. CtRacer, above is pretty much correct with what he is saying, yes, but not I'd focus on my black relay box first. Probably a blown fuse. good idea to switch with horn ( you don't really care if your horn works anyhow). Not do I have 2 tanks but I had to find the relay fuse for it, and then the fuse for that series circuit as well. There nothing in my owners manual that will help me ( because they want you in the shop). but DEFINITELY check out your fuse and not just the relay ( it's a 20 A yellow fuse somewhere in the fuse panel. However not to be out done, don't forget the ECU fuse. The ECU will control the fuel relay circuit as well ( prison mate). you could EASILY over look the ECU fuse and spend a bunch of money on a pump / filter when you didn't need to. Good luck to you, on that. I'm a Ford guy. I don't see why your ECU and fuel relay wouldn't be beside each other. They are for me. If they are not labeled, just pull out and take turns ( pull out with needle nose plyers on the fuse. which ever 2 black boxes make it quit starting, that is most likely your trouble maker. GL
There's no fuel pump hatch, but the fuel pumps on this go out so often. I've had four of them and the first thing I did was cut a hatch door. In the 5.7 engine, it's under the passenger seat on the driver's side. I used an angle grinder, just don't go deep or you'll hit a fuel line. The first one took me an hour to do and the fourth one took 5 minutes.
