87 silverado dual gas tank problem

[hoplias]

I recently bought a 87 1500 sivlerado and its a really cool truck and I am going through fixing the few things wrong .The question is the dual gas tanks .It only works when on right tank and if I switch it to left it will not run .What is my best plans of fixing the problem .Is it most likely the switch or what ?

[old Rusty C10]

check the power to the sides through the switch then if you have power there check to the fuel pump in the tank... i assume its the electric fuel pump with an EFI motor

[Malo83]

Had the same problem, replaced the switch and it works as advertised

[nlped]

I had the same problem with "Bob", but the PO didn't worry about it and left half a tank of gas in it...for a LONG time. So I had to buy a new tank, pump, fuel level sending unit and the only part that was actually bad...the switch in the dash. I bought all of the parts from Rock Auto. I would tell you to replace the switch with a AC Delco switch not some no name one. It was only about $10 shipped to my house from them.

Good Luck, and you will love that truck.

[hoplias]

Thanks guys .Should the guage still change if its the switch cause when I change the switch over the guage does not change either .I will try the switch first cause it does seem too loose so I am hoping its just that .

[nlped]

My guage didn't change either. It does now

[hoplias]

what is best way to get the switch off properly ?

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Originally Posted by hoplias

what is best way to get the switch off properly ?

It just snaps into place in the dash. If you want to remove it with the least amount of damage to it or the dash you'll have to gain access to the back side of it by one of 3 methods.
1. Reach up under the dash while laying on the seat and push up & out on the bottom of the switch. Then reach up to the top of the switch and push down & out.

2. Remove dash bezel & dash pad. If'n ya have a/c, move the center duct out of the way and reach into the back side of the dash to squeeze the top & bottom together and push the switch out.

3. Remove the bezel remove the radio reach inside and pop it loose from there.

While #1 is the simpler one, if'n yer a big guy with big hands & armsit can be a real P*I*T*A
Personally I prefer going after it as described in #2.

[hoplias]

Well I changed the switch and it still does not work .
What is next best thing to check ?

[Chlsnk]

Check your grounds mine has the copper ground strap snapped.

[hoplias]

not to sound ignorant but where should i look for the ground wire

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by hoplias

not to sound ignorant but where should i look for the ground wire

If it's the same as the `85 trucks it should attach to the ring on top of the tank around the sender.

[nlped]

^^^Hatzie is right, and it's a bit$h to get to. I actually had to drop the tank to check mine. While I had it out I put power and ground to the pump to see if it was working...it wasn't.

[jdclemons]

I can join the club. My driver side tank work and when i throw the switch to the pass, the fuse blows. Any pointers.

[hoplias]

I am going to wait till I get new fuel pump cause I do nt want to drop it twice .I might as well cahnge everything it might be cause this has always been a issue and I want it fixed once and for all.

The switch blowing problem was on mine abreaks in wires and when switched they would arc .I suggest you check the wires cause I bet that what it is .

[shloopter]

I had the same problem. I had the bed off so I put power to the pump right at the tank and it turned on. After diagnosing the problem, it ended up that the cross over valve was bad. It sits right next to the right tank. The cost is about $95 for the part.

[shloopter]

Now for my new tank switch problem. As I stated in an eariler post, both tanks are working great now. Problem is, when you switch tanks with the engine running, if you happen to only move the switch half way, it shuts the engine right off. Then switch it up or down it fires back up. Is this a bad switch? Is this switch hooked to some kind of engine cutoff?

[foamypirate]

If the switch is in-between positions, then neither fuel pump is getting power, so your engine is starved for fuel and shuts off.

[kelsfine69]

Yea my daughter get in and sometimes she bumps the switch and it just cranks. Thats the first thing I look at "did she hit the switch" and evertime the switch is sittin in the middle.

[weider1717]

nvm