Thought I would give this a try before I called the suicide prevention hot line.

2000 Chevy Venture. Fuel pump went out last summer after refueling while at a very low fuel level (I know but it's my wife's ride). Pump was replaced by pro garage.

4-5 mos later, I drive into town and stop and get gas because it's almost empty. Won't restart. I end up replacing pump myself. It runs for maybe a week and then won't restart.

After about four more of these episodes (dropping the tank and getting the pump to run again), I decide that it might be a bad connector in the pump itself and replace it with another new one.

Being a suspicious sort, I decided to check the new pump for operation before reinstalling the tank. With the tank on the shop floor with the fuel supply line in a catch can, I turned the ignition key on and I was rewarded with fuel running out into the catch can. Tried it again, and nothing. No pump noise or gas.

I'm getting intermittant operation and am running out of ideas. I've replaced the FP relay (and that actually fixed it for awhile).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like an intermittant electrical issue to me.

People who call because of intermittant electrical problems rarely result with a check mark in the "saved" column.

Just a guess, but if that was happening on one of the machines I fix at work, the most likely problem would be a bad connection at one of the plugs between the fuse box (relay) and the tank.

Could also be a broken wire. Bad part of that is the insulation usually looks just fine

I'd start by checking for voltage at the pump when it isn't working. Assuming none, check at the relay output next, if none check the relay coil to make sure the PCM(?) is telling it to come on.

GOOD LUCK

Thanks, Chewey, although you are not cheering me up much. I am thinking I ought to try replacing the ignition switch.

First thing, did you replace the pump with an AC Delco pump? They are more expensive, but worth it. I have heard many stories of junk aftermarket pumps.

Second, did you replace the fuel pump relay too? Not that you always have to do this, but considering the age, I would. And did the first garage replace the fuel filter too, IF that van has one. Most vehicles now a days do not.

Third, if the van has a fuel pressure regulator, I would also replace that if you have not. A bad reg. will cause no starts.

All those things have been replaced, the pumps were not AC Delco, but there's no electrical power going to the pump except for that first attempt.