Intermittent start issue

**Bigblueearth** · 03-09-2018, 06:02 AM

Recent TA purchase, 99- LS1.
Occasional no fire at start.
First thought security issue but now have a better grasp on that, sec lights go out, key circuit checks good.
Replaced fuel filter, plastic tank so no real junk in it but 150k miles plus so good idea.
Fuel pressure reads 52psi when everything is working and running.
It just failed to start and I put the gauge on it and I can't see it while cranking but when I get out to look it is around 45 and holding.
Can I assume it is not the pump?
When it fails the motor just cranks perfectly and acts like no spark.
What would be the next logical thing to check?
Totally random problem, will start 10 times in a row or more and then do it every other time.
Extremely frustrating.
Thanks fo any help.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-09-2018, 07:09 AM

It may be the fuel regulator. Has it gone out on you when you were driving randomly?

**Bigblueearth** · 03-09-2018, 07:14 AM

No, never a driveability issue.
Just no start, not even ever a sputter

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-09-2018, 07:25 AM

check grounds too. There's one by the battery that causes issues sometimes.

**pajeff02** · 03-10-2018, 03:52 AM

Fuel pressure. With the ignition energized it should hold right around 58 psi. When the pump in our Suburban went bad it would crank and sometimes not start due to low fuel pressure. On the gauge plumbed into the fuel rail I was only seeing a little over 40 psi.

**Bigblueearth** · 03-10-2018, 04:03 AM

Dang, I was hoping that was ok when not running.
I was looking at the trap door options but could not see anything about that for convertibles.
Anyone have info on that?

**pajeff02** · 03-10-2018, 05:06 AM

Hmm. I do not, but after torturing myself about cutting holes in our car, I did opt for the trap door method. Zero regrets and now happy to have easy access in the event of a future issue.