2001 ws6 starting issues

**Ridelght** · 08-08-2015, 11:30 AM

Hi, I am new to this forum so hello to all. I have an 2001 WS6 I have had it 12 years. I have an issue now with starting problems that are intermittent.

The car turns over but wont start. I can hear the fuel pump priming, I have tested the pressure it is around 48 on priming 1 time goes up to 50 id i prime 3 times. Still wont start all the time though. if I leave the key in the on position while looking at things for a few minutes it seems to start.

Also I do see a drop in pressure within 1-2 minutes if primed and left on. It goes from 50 to 40. I have heard that is a sign of the pump regulator being bad but would that cause a no start situation ? The last episode was
so bad I had the car towed 30 miles home. In that instance I got it to start but about 150 feet in gear moving she just died.

I am lost here any insight would be greatly appreciated. I have heard the key chips go bad, the alarm vats system gets goofy and something about a crank position sensor causing problems. Would any of those show up as the issue I have described ?

My car is the 6 speed also but the car cranks every time, It seems like fuel or spark being the issue.

Thanks guys

**cammed goat** · 08-09-2015, 06:31 AM

Welcome. Others will chime in to assist.

**Ridelght** · 08-09-2015, 06:39 AM

Thanks Cammed Goat !!! I have frequented the site and have seen lots of good information.
Love the LS engines ! hate these type of issues though needle in haystack. I already bought a fuel pump but really dont want to drop the Tank and find out the issue is still there.

***SMWS6TA*** · 08-11-2015, 08:01 PM

You're going to need to drop the tank...sounds like the fuel pump is on it's last legs. You might be lucky and find that the plastic tube that comes off the pump to the top of the bracket has a crack and it's bleeding down. You should have a constant 56-58psi are the rails of fuel pressure.

Racetronix fuel pump is about the best $$ you can spend for the fuel pump. And cheaper then getting one from the parts stores. They run about $165.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 08-11-2015, 08:25 PM

Agree. My fuel gauge is pegged between 57-61psi at all times.

**pajeff02** · 08-12-2015, 05:42 AM

^^ Agree. Sounds like the pump is on its way out.

**Ridelght** · 08-12-2015, 07:29 AM

Thanks guys

**pajeff02** · 08-12-2015, 06:01 PM

Although I swore I would never do it, when it came time to swap out our fuel pump I went with the trap door. No regrets.

**Ridelght** · 08-12-2015, 08:03 PM

Been thinking hard about that method.

**pajeff02** · 08-13-2015, 02:48 AM

I will say that several members have installed pumps and then had issues after the fact. Trap door is so much easier than dropping the tank multiple times. Be very careful with your depth of cut as the wiring and hoses are close to the underbody. I nicked the insulation on one wire with the die grinder.

**Ridelght** · 08-13-2015, 06:06 AM

Yours looks very good actually. How long is the opening ? I was thinking of a way i could weld tabs on the original piece to place it back in but yours looks pretty nice with just a flat piece.

I understand about dropping the tank multiple times being a possibility this makes sense. Hard to think about cutting a hole in my car though but I am getting over it.

Thanks for the advice

***SMWS6TA*** · 08-13-2015, 09:48 AM

To be honest cutting the access hole is best. I hated doing it at first but after needing to work on if a few times it became a life saver.

**pajeff02** · 08-13-2015, 11:20 AM

I believe I measured things up and posted the dimensions in a thread on here somewhere... let me see if I can find it. If not, from the picture you should be able to guesstimate it pretty close.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 08-13-2015, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

I will say that several members have installed pumps and then had issues after the fact. Trap door is so much easier than dropping the tank multiple times. Be very careful with your depth of cut as the wiring and hoses are close to the underbody. I nicked the insulation on one wire with the die grinder.

Only ones that installed it themselves

**pajeff02** · 08-13-2015, 05:23 PM

I can't find where I posted the dimensions, but my recollection is that the cutout I made is around 11" long and 7" wide.

**Ridelght** · 08-13-2015, 05:31 PM

I took the plunge today,I made a flap though 3 sides and bent it up.
The plastic tube was cracked but I replaced the entire pump with a gm original equipment for now. Starts every time. I also was able to make a couple aluminum supports and put the flap down using self tapping screws then silicone the seams. Have some pics need to upload.

Thanks everyone for your help

**pajeff02** · 08-14-2015, 05:47 AM

Congrats on a successful repair!

**RONS98TA** · 08-14-2015, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

I will say that several members have installed pumps and then had issues after the fact. Trap door is so much easier than dropping the tank multiple times. Be very careful with your depth of cut as the wiring and hoses are close to the underbody. I nicked the insulation on one wire with the die grinder.

Agreed with this method. I also installed the trap door and have no regrets. If I ever have an issue, or want to add a second pump, I can pull the pump out in 5 minutes, as opposed to dropping the exhaust, axle, and then the tank.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 08-14-2015, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by RONS98TA

Agreed with this method. I also installed the trap door and have no regrets. If I ever have an issue, or want to add a second pump, I can pull the pump out in 5 minutes, as opposed to dropping the exhaust, axle, and then the tank.

Ever plan on adding a 2nd pump?

**RONS98TA** · 08-17-2015, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Ever plan on adding a 2nd pump?

I have def thought about it. If I ever decide that 8lbs of boost isnt enough power or fun, and I change out the pulley to the 20lb pulley, then I will probably add the second fuel pump.