Truck won't start

if starting with ether fuel problem --turn key on and listen or have someone listen by fuel tank for hum --no hum start checking fuel pump relays and fuses and wiring connections --if vehicle has an external fuel filter check for fuel pressure

hi,

watch your oil pressure when cranking, you have to have some oil pressure to get the fuel system to start. you may have to find the hot wire at the relay and energize it to see if it is indeed the fuel pump going out. if its been sitting and its a 97 the fuel pump just might have went, you can also try hitting the gas tank from the outside in the middle to see if that works too. have a water hose or fire extinguisher around when your working on fuel system and leave one of your battery cable a little loose..

jm

You almost certainly need a new fuel pump, the cold makes the worn pump shaft stick, and when you use the fluid to start it the increased system voltage unsticks the pump, in the end it will fail completely and leave you stuck, so replace the pump. To verify the loss of fuel pump pressure hook up a fuel pressure test gage to the pressure test port on the fuel supply pipe that sits over the injectors, turn the ignition to run and see if the system has fuel pressure, it should be over 40PSI. You can rent a test gage or borrow one from most auto part stores like Autozone and Oreilly

Check the crank case sensor

The weather or outside temp are not the issue at all

The truck either works correctly or it doesn't

The valve on the engine is called a Schrader Valve
It is only to hook up a fuel pressure gauge

That is what you do next

It would seem from your description, that a check valve
in the fuel pump assy, inside the fuel tank is leaking.

It will start but takes time to build up pressure & then
drains back when the ignition & thus fuel pump are off

The fuel rail,the silver tubing that has you valve ,is not
staying pressurized.

Unfortunately you may have to drop the fuel tank to
remove the pump & replace a good pump just to get
the check valve that may have failed

So you want to watch the fuel pressure with a guage
or scan tool data if that is listed for your truck

If it won't hold or your not getting the better part of a
20 onces soda bottle full of fuel in 15 to 20 seconds,
then the volume is low also.

I will guess at the pressure you should see & say 38 to
42 lbs.

You might have a defective fuel tank pressure sensor!

It sure could be. But, first...by "won't turn over" you do mean it cranks at normal speed but won't start?
A simple test of the fuel pump is to stand by tank and listen as someone turns key to on. When first turned to on, your pump will activate for 2 or 3 seconds, pressurizing the fuel system, and then shut off if the engine computer doesn't get a cranking signal. Do you hear it come on? If not, then something's not turning your pump on. If you can hear it buzz on briefly, then maybe it's your filter. Another test: Spray a little starting fluid into your intake manifold (remove the big hose going into intake manifold) while someone tries starting it.If it doesn't fire and try to stay running, then it's probably an ignition problem. But if it does fire off, then you know it's a fuel problem-likely your pump or filter. good luck.

try spraying some carb cleaner into a vaccum hose and see if it will run. If so then you have ignition but no fuel delivery. If not then you have an ignition problem. make sure you hear the fuel pump hum when you turn the key to the run position. It should run for +/- 5 seconds then shut off. remove gas cap and listen for fuel pump operation through the fill hole. If you can hear the pump then you have a fuel injection issue. If the engine starts and runs for a few seconds then shuts off then you can suspect the crank or cam position sensor. The fuel pump runs through the oil pressure switch which could also be an issue.

Are you able to start the truck with application of the gas pedal?

it might be the fuel pump, have someone turn the key on but not start it while you're under the gas tank and listen for the pump to pressurize, if you don't hear anything, you'll need a new fuel pump for sure, but the whacking it with a hammer is most likely a sign that some of the windings in the pump have gone bad.

HOW MANY MILES ALOT IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE YOUR O2 SENSOR OK LOCATED ON THE EXAUST PIPE CLOSE TO ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD THEY CONTROL YOUR FUEL MIXTUER FOR HOT AND COLD LIKE A CHOKE . IF ITS BAD THE ITS FLOODING IT OUT WHEN HOT AND YOU GET ROTTEN GAS MILAGE BECAUSE YOUR FUEL PRESSURES ARE FINE REGULATORS EITHER WORK OR THEY DON'T AND IT THEY DON'T YOUR TRUCK WON'T RUN O2 SENSORS GOING BAD DON'T ALWAYS GIVE A CODE OR A DASH LIGHT BECAUSE OF THE BAD GAS MILAGE AND BLACK SMOKE WHEN IT IS WARM ITS PRETTY OBVIOUS WHAT IT IS OK GOOD LUCK POHLCAT