Hello, I was able to get great advice on this forum with a previous electrical issue so thought I would see if I could get some help on a new problem. The same vehicle now won't start. It ran fine last Thursday when I parked it. We went away for the weekend and this morning I go to start it and it tries to start and chugs a couple times then dies. This happened about 7 times before I gave up and took my wife's car to work.

From my limited knowledge about car problems, it is pointing me to a lack of fuel issue like possibly a fuel clog or fuel filter clog. Is there any other obvious places I should check before I have it towed to the mechanic?

 

Have you checked the battery? This is the very common symptom that your battery died when your car has been kept idle for more than four to five days.

 

it cranks fine, just won't stay running, will start and run for 1 or 2 seconds then dies.

 

Check the fuel pressure. Fuel pump failure is a common problem.

 

is there an easy way to check the fuel pressure?

 

Turn key over, not starting, listen for a whine coming from fuel pump,helps to have someone in rear by fuel tank, if you can hear it come on when you turn the key, you can skip the fuel pump,...turn key over couple times, not starting,shut off vehicle, remove intake manifold, smell for gas...you could also remove your fuel rail, and turn the key over, if gas shoots out of injectors, you have fuel pressure...as old chevy has said though, fuel pump failure is common, and can be a hit or miss deal, where it works fine one day, and the next you're back to square one, best bet is to hook some gauges to the fuel rail and check pressures,refer to a mechanic if you are not comfortable with that procedure.