94 JGC L 4x4 with 90k+, engine rebuilt 2 yrs ago because 2 bent connecting rods and new crank shaft, head ok, usual gasket and rings replaced, etc. Ran well up to a few months ago and simply died doing 55mph, gas tank 3/4 full, no error codes. Would not restart. Repair shop said fuel pump needed replacement @ about $800. Couldn't afford it. Friend took over and was able to start and drove it about 15miles without any stalling or hesitancy. Started seveal times and short trips again without a stall. Decided to change fuel filter and used 1 bott:confused:le of dry gas. Again drove about 30 miles, then stalled again. Always starts after short rest and runs ok again.

Decided to drop fuel tank and checked out the fuel pump and its strainer sleeve. All were clean. Direct current to the small elect pump indicated it worked.

Question: Can these small electric pumps fail intermittantly or can this be something as simple as a fuel pump relay? We're getting a bit fustrated because we think the problem has been corrected and bamb, it stalls again and dies.

thanks for your help

I have some update information for those who may be interested: :rolleyes:

A close contact of mine runs a large auto repair facility with several fleet contracts and has always been very helpful in my endeavors. When told the above story, he notes that young drivers tend to drive their fuel tanks down to the near empty. Apparently, the fuel keepss the electric pump from overheating and if run near empty often, the motor overheats and freezes. I asked the owner of the vehicle, a recent college grad, struggling in this economy, withoug a job at the moment and he usually waited for the fuel warning light before refueling. When he stalled out there were no oil pressure or check engine lights on.

To confirm this diagnosis, I ran the vehicle several miles with the gauge near empty all the while frequently checking the fuel pressure at the Strader valve (30+psi) then let it idle for nearly 1 hour, with repeated pressure checks. Then the running engine began to sputter and the fuel pressure suddenly went to zero and finally died several seconds later. Oil pressure was at about 60 when this occured. I attempted to restart it sshortly afterwards but would not fire. I then waited about 45 minutes and after a few tries it restarted and ran smoothly. The vehile was not out of fuel.

With the above expeirence, I decided to replace the pump with a new one and advised the student to keep his fuel tank at no less than 1/2 full to avoid any further breakdowns.

Thought I would pass this on to those who might have some interest.
Oh, one other bit of trivial information. If you ever have to tow one of these with 4x4, you put the gear selector at the column into PARK and the 4x4 selector into neurtal. Yes, I said PARK, check the owner's manual if you dodubt this.
Have a good day, week , month and years....:smile:

Test the ignition coil and crank position sensors. As this seems to happen when the vehicle is hot, these could be likely suspects.

Get a Chilton's or Hayne's manual. It should have test procedures in it.

Good Luck.