2001 Tahoe Fuel Pump

I can hear the fuel pump motor running when I am standing next to the side of the vehicle with the motor running. I put my ear up to the bottom side of the fuel tank to make sure that it was coming from the fuel pump. It sounds just like a small electric motor with a constant high pitched humming sound. The vehicle seems to run fine.

Does this mean that the pump is about ready to go out?

Should I have it looked at or just run it as is?

 

I just observed the same scenario on my 99 Tahoe. Noticed the noise and wondered if I should check into it. Now my truck just stopped running altogether. My neighbor and I did some troubleshooting checking the fuel pump relay and then spraying some carb cleaner into the throttle body. It ran briefly telling us that it was fuel related. I would suggest to you that your pump is on the way out and it would be in your favor to have it replaced now rather than incur a towing charge. I also discovered that you can obtain a new pump on ebay considerably cheaper than the local parts houses. Good Luck!

 

Electric fuel pumps always make some noise while working but often they get louder before they fail. You might want to get a second opinion from someone with a "expert" ear.

 

I agree with Mark. You can go to Autozone and they should loan you a fuel rail pressure gauge set which will verifiy if pump is supplying proper pressure.

 

And some vehicle's fuel pumps are inherently easier to hear running.

 

I repaced the fuel filter about a week after I posted the issue and it seems to have fixed the problem.

 

You don't sound confident?! Still giving you a slight issue? If the filter was somewhat clogged, it will put a larger load on the fuel pump causing it to possibly sound louder then usual. All fuel pumps make a humming type sound, so don't be too alarmed.

Chevy's do have issues with their pumps though. The impellars on the pump break apart and then clog the filter.

I recently just helped a friend out change his on his '01 Silverado. He did tell me he frequently drove the vehicle with the "fuel" light on. When the fuel light comes on, it means the fuel pump is partially submerged in fuel and starts to heat up. Over time, it will burn up.

 

I'm fairly confident the filter was the issue. I did not notice the sound after I changed the filter. It has been 1.5 yrs and haven't had any problems.

 

Wow, I hadn't noticed how long ago this thread was started hate that you never got a reply til now glad it's been resolved though

 

Lol, I just noticed this two. Thread started over 2 years ago.