Fuel Pump ?

[FaceDeAce]

2004 Ram 1500 5.7
Roughly 330K on the odo

A few days ago - out cruising down the highway at 70 mph. Trucks starts losing power, shudders and catches, zooms a bit more, shudders and completely stalls. Coasted to nearest rural driveway turnout. Truck never started again. It would turn over, flare to 500-600 rpm for 2-3 seconds and then die off. No CEL, nothing. Just flat on side of the road like it had run out of gas. Level gauge at 1/2 a tank and never before acted up.
This is the first time ever that this truck has left me stranded. I hope it does not develop the habit!

Some roadside troubleshooting with a screwdriver, a crescent, and a piece of haywire as a test probe lead to confirming power to the pump but very low to no fuel rail pressure and no sounds at all coming from the tank. So deduced that the fuel pump was done (original pump). Towed the truck with my other old truck to a nearby field spot where I could pull the tank and it can sit until this is sorted.

I removed the fuel tank and pulled the pump and took home to diagnose. Direct connecting the pump to a battery gave nothing. Silent. I triple checked the battery with volt meter and spark generator to ensure it was giving juice. Next I gave the pump motor metal case (just the motor) a couple braps with end of screwdriver and zippidy dada zoom zoom it was spinning like all was well with the world. Hmmmmmm. Spins every time since.

So, now that the pump motor runs - do I put the pump back in or buy a new pump? Is pump motor failure a common problem on these trucks? Was it a piece of debris stuck in the motor jamming it or something else? If I replace the pump the prices range from 680$ dealer oem to 460-285$ at autoparts outlets to 80-140$ on AZ for a pump module. That is a huge range!!! How do I know what's what and select the one that I need. Am in great white north (Canada) - gladly this stranding was on a warm summer day. If this happened mid winter on some remote locations that I go to, it may not end well for me getting home again.

Thoughts comments experiences welcome.

 

[rzr6-4]

You may have been able to bring the motor back to life with a direct hit off of a battery but considering you got things torn apart I wouldn't rely on it to not leave you stranded again. You can get a Delphi unit for $90 on rock Auto, $90 isn't free but at this point I would say it's worth not rolling the dice on being stranded and having to pull the tank again.

 

[pacofortacos]

It will fail again, that's how pumps act when they are starting to fail.
Often times you can have someone crank the engine and smack the gas tank where the pump is to get it to start again - for a few times. Easier than towing or pulling the tank on the side of the road.
Used to do it all the time when I worked as a tech.

 

[pacofortacos]

You can check car-part.com for a lower mileage used pump/tank.
I prefer OEM on certain parts and fuel pumps are one of those parts, and since it isn't a common failure part, I would be comfortable with a low mileage used part.

 

[FaceDeAce]

I definitely would not go for a used pump. If the consensus is to replace, then the matter becomes to find the lowest price combined with the longest warranty.

 

[Recoil]

You may have been able to bring the motor back to life with a direct hit off of a battery but considering you got things torn apart I wouldn't rely on it to not leave you stranded again. You can get a Delphi unit for $90 on rock Auto, $90 isn't free but at this point I would say it's worth not rolling the dice on being stranded and having to pull the tank again.

This ^ Do not trust that old pump. Replace it.

 

[Namelama]

I'd replace the pump with new and make sure there's no debris or obstruction in the tank and pickup line.