A contaminated fuel pump, electrical issues, and a bad relay are responsible for bringing problems to the fuel pump on the 1997 Chevy Silverado. Besides, a clogged filter can also cause back pressure to the fuel pump and make it bad.
If the fuel pump goes bad, you can’t turn the engine on. In the worst case, it may bring damage to the engine. That’s why it’s indispensable to fix those culprits so that the fuel pump doesn’t meet its ultimate failure.
And this guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps you should take to solve those problems. So, let’s dive in without a second delay.
Table of Contents
1997 Chevy Silverado Fuel Pump Problems [5 Easy Solutions]
Now, it’s time to introduce you to those Five culprits that are responsible for fuel pump failures.
Note: You can also read how to fix 1998 chevy Silverado hard starting problems.
1. Fuel Pump Gets Contaminated
The leading reason behind a faulty fuel pump! Yes, fuel pump contamination is the culprit that causes the fuel pump to go bad whether you have a truck from Chevy or other brands.
It happens if dirt or debris gets into your fuel system when you gas up your 97 Chevy Silverado. And guess what, fine sand or debris is the killer of fuel pumps and it will make you wonder how much sand you buy every time you refuel your truck.
Besides, refueling your Chevy Silverado with poor-quality gas can also encourage dirt & debris to make their home into the fuel pump.
For example, if the fuel you get for your Chevy contains more water, it will be possible to find contaminants there as the water encourages the microorganisms to thrive.
Solution:
If you want to increase the longevity of the fuel pump, ensure you gas up your Chevy with high-quality gas. Don’t forget to clean the fuel tank every time you refuel your Chevy.
Otherwise, the dirt makes its way from the fuel tank to the fuel pump. And lastly, keep the fuel pump filled up with gas all the time, which will reduce the risk of a defective fuel pump.
2. Electrical Problems
Most modern cars or trucks like the 97 Chevy Silverado feature an electrical fuel pump and the pump is placed into the fuel tank. Once you turn the ignition on, it will bring life to your vehicle and the fuel pump will start doing its job.
But an electrical problem within your fuel pump means the pump won’t work or may cease to function at all.
It is possible the wire harness connectors come loose. Or, the wiring from the pump to the computer gets damaged, which causes the fuel pump to malfunction.
Generally, loose or rusted connections cause electrical issues within the fuel pump.
Solution:
We highly recommend you call a certified mechanic to inspect the wiring of the fuel pump. Over time, the wiring gets damaged and you need a replacement.
Inspect all the wiring leading from the fuel pump to the computer and replace the wires if needed.
Also, check the electrical connectors for a melt and change them for supplying electric power uninterruptedly.
3. Bad Fuel Pump Relay
A fuel pump relay is an electric device that controls the power of the fuel pump. In other words, it delivers the right amount of fuel to the fuel injectors, aka combustion chamber to start the engine with no problem.
If the fuel pump relay is at fault, the fuel pump will not receive the power it needs for smooth operation. You will observe the following signs if the pump relay gets bad:
- Noise not coming out of the fuel pump
- Engine stalling
- The engine fails to start
Solution:
Replacing the bad fuel pump relay will bring life to your Chevy’s fuel pump. Before jumping the gun on changing the pump relay, inspect the relay first. And this article helps you how to test the fuel pump relay and replace it.
4. Fuel Filter Gets Clogged
A clogged fuel filter is responsible for an inoperative fuel pump. If the fuel filter gets restricted, it fails to provide a precise amount of fuel to your truck engine.
And the reduction in fuel volume can cause cavitation and reduce the cooling capacity of the pump if the filter is mounted on the intake side of the pump.
In short, a clogged filter can cause tremendous back pressure on your fuel pump and it will try to compensate for the faulty filter. As a result, it brings an end or premature failure to the fuel pump.
Solution:
To get rid of fuel pump issues, you must replace the clogged fuel filter with a new one. And this tutorial will help you in replacing the fuel filter on a 97 Chevy Silverado:
5. Fuel Pump Itself Is At Fault
The 1997 Chevy Silverado is notorious for a failed pump. Almost every person who owns this Chevy from GM knows and goes through this issue.
On top of that, if you don’t clean the fuel tank, all the gunk and residue will make their way into the fuel pump.
Turns out, that the power supply connector to the fuel pump inside the fuel tank sometimes gets burnt hot enough. Consequently, it softens the copper connector and shuts off the fuel pump.
Solution:
The only way you can solve this issue is to replace the fuel pump. We highly recommend you get a fuel pump from AC Delco. It lasts longer than the original one from GM.
If you are mechanically inclined, this tutorial will let you learn how to change the fuel pump on a 1997 Chevy Silverado:
We suggest you call a professional to make the fuel pump replacement for you if you are not mechanically inclined.
FAQs:
How much does it cost to replace a fuel pump on a 1997 Chevy Silverado?
It will cost you around $1070 to $1250 to replace a fuel pump on a 1997 Chevy Silverado.
What happens when the fuel pump goes out while driving?
Your engine will sputter or stall in the middle of your drive if the fuel pump goes out. Engine surging and whining noise from the backseat are other signs you will observe when the fuel pump goes bad while driving.
How long does a fuel pump last in a Chevy Silverado?
It generally depends on your driving practices. However, a fuel pump will support you up to 100,000 miles.
How can I test if my fuel pump is working?
A functioning fuel pump makes a noise. So, what you need to do is- tell your friend to turn the ignition key to the on position when you put your ear near the fuel tank. It will make an audible noise. If you hear this sound, understand the fuel pump is functioning properly.
Conclusion
A faulty fuel pump can throw a wrench into work, which is a common vehicular issue. Fortunately, we mentioned all the culprits that cause your fuel pump to go bad.
Besides, we also broke down the troubleshooting steps you should take regarding this problem. So, follow our guidelines and bring an end to the Silverado fuel pump issues.
About John M
John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.