Chevy Tahoe Remote Start not Working - Replace Fuel Pump? 

Took one look and knew that lock ring was gonna need replacement. The river of rust as you used the air hammer was cool!

It is so therapeutic to see someone else dealing with the wrenching struggles in the rust-belt. Lol. The complaining and sarcasm really hits home. Love your content, Wes! Keep it up!

Being a lifelong resident of southern California, im still always blown away by how rusty cars get in other parts of the country...what a pain in the ass it must be to do simple repairs... Insanity.

“Two make this work!” Take five! I’m so glad you didn’t edit those out! 😂

I learned that the remote start won’t work with the hood ajar long ago. I fought with a intermittent remote start inop for about a week, trying to duplicate the concern. I finally figured out after a rash of questions. The truck was a diesel, the guy would pop the hood to plug in his block heater and just latch the hood onto safety latch. That’s when I learned hood ajar, no remote start 😂

Wow, great catch. This customer should feel pretty lucky that this was discovered, imagine when those corroded fuel lines off the pump fail. This could strand the driver, and in rural Illinois, it would happen after 10" of wind-blown snow. Yea!

600 views within 19 minutes of posting... Yup this channel is going to 500K subs within the next 6 months. Great job Wes and family.

As a fellow rust belt member, I would have been crapping on GM designers for making a nice salt water basin for the fuel pump to sit in!!!!!

It’s great how the top of the fuel tank has a convenient catchall to hold all kinds of slush-moisture and everything else it accumulates so it nicely ruts out the top of the fuel pump seems like all manufacturers do this. must be a part of that planned obsolescence way of engineering. On my first GEN Tacoma the pump was pretty much directly between where the bed meets a cab so rainwater nicely deposited itself on there

I love wes's little gem comments like "official GM gas tank adapter". Always guaranteed to give us subs a chuckle. One if the reasons I immediately clic his notices no matter who's vid I'm watching. I can always go back to the one I was to finish watching it.

A mid-week @Watch Wes Work is like an unexpected present. And I _always_ forget to allow enough time to read the fine Comments.

Best RU-vid video ending I think I have ever seen. They still make em like that.

We replaced a fuel pump in a 97 Tahoe, same crossmember wedge-in situation, and you made it look easy! Took us hours both to get the tank out and also to get the tank in again (with no lift, just jack and jackstands). The lock ring looked worse than the one in the video, but it was still possible to remove with a long soak in penetrating oil and a hammer...aka the proper factory approved removal tool. The old ones had even less slack in the lines, I believe. Reattaching the lines was a nightmare.

Just make a brass rod for your air hammer for this situation.

Watch Wes Work Wednesday. Wondrous. I don't miss a video, I don't skip forward. Dude, you have the magic sauce. You entertain the fuck out of me.

Gotta love that the rust determines the life span of things like the pump even though the pump worked fine the housing was shot @Watch Wes Work

Kudos to Wes for NOT using a cold chisel to remove the fuel pump lock ring. A brass drift might not be the OEM tool, but it also won't cut into the lock ring, or the tank itself. Gotta love GM's use of their special low quality "Insta-Rot" steel that they conveniently leave completely untreated on parts of the fuel system that are out of sight and hard to get to. Great job, GM. It's just gasoline, it's not like it's flammable or anything...

I will repeat one of my comments, my mechanic installed a new water pump on my 2.4 Pontiac Sunfire several years ago. Since it had to be driven by the cam chain I had him replace the chain and gears and tensioner. About 40Ks later the engine grenaded on the top end. I had the same mechanic remove the head and the cam chain tensioner. The tensioner was fully retracted and stuck. On one side it said Delco-Remy and on the other side it said "made in China". I wasn't angry with my mechanic, he put on what he thought was a quality part, but it was probably made in the same factory where they make the Dorman brand.

I genuinely thought there was some fancy adapter in the box. Nope, the box is the adapter. Gold.

Love the sarcasm and the disdain for design engineeing. I spent 10 years in the US Navy griping about the same things, plus over 50 years of working on USA-designed and built cars (not professionally). Every design engineer needs to spend at least 1 year in maintenance of the stuff they design or may someday design. The rust belt further complicates everything. I grew up there (southwestern PA in the mountains with lots of salt on the roads in the winter). Parts replacement is difficult enough without the addition of salt-induced rust to furtther muck up the task. Your posts are always instructional and entertaining. Thanks!

Customer: My remote start does not work. Wes: That will be 500 bucks for a new fuel pump. Customer: ?????????????

I had a 2002 chevy that the dealer could not fix the evap code after working on it for a week, It was only about a couple years old with no rust (California) and it lived in the garage at home, I keep it for 9 years and put about 200,000 on it then traded it for a malibu (towable behind my motorhome). You are a much better mechanic than any dealer wrench I have ever found. Thanks for the video

Good call I learn something new every day watching you diagnose problems

Great job on editing out all the language. I could detect it was missing because I was doing it for you at the appropriate time. Sorta like closed captions but closed-captioned expletives

I know it like this from European cars: remove the rear seat, unscrew the flap. Then you look at the fuel pump in the tank. The tank stays in the car, only the pump has to be loosened and replaced.

That fuel line would've sprung a big leak very soon, well done!

Really enjoy watching Wes work..if I lived near him, I would send him my business. I too live in rust belt and feel your pain. Merry Christmas to all

Not just a fuel tank adapter but an "official" fuel tank adapter. Pays to have a great sense of humor. Helps keep your sanity close to normal.

I've said it before & I'll say it again, you're A humble hardworking GENIUS!

As somebody who makes the fuel lines that connect to gas tanks, I love seeing you work on and around tanks so I get to see my work out in the wild. I know how annoying it can be, though. Keep up the great work.

I didnt see nothin, I just see a hard working man doing his job. great video once again Wes, every video you motivate me to work on my own cars. Already replaced my wifes and my own brakes, these winters really kill rotors I feel like I replaced it 2 years ago :/

Watching your video for awhile now, your commentary discription is priceless and enjoyed.

The Florida pool pump motor bearing repair guy When Service Calls Longwood approved ! that was good info Wes

I just replaced a fuel pump..straps and lock ring in a 2006 Tahoe..worst one I ever had..the lock ring was punky yet seized to the tabs on the tank..had to be careful not to destroy tabs on tank . The fuel pump wouldn't lift out..had to pry it out . New pump wouldn't go back in..the plastic inside the hole was kinda mushroomed over..had to trim it for fit . Got it all back together..3 days later..replaced front brakes and calipers..began bleeding the brake system..the abs modulator valve started leaking fluid...ordered a new one..take down the old one...the valve was bad as well as the module on top..had to order that as well . If you think taking the tank down is fun..you haven't experienced replacing the modulator valve lol...and of course this one was the oddball..6 brake lines going to it instead of 5..go figure I had a good 5 line in my shop lol. This is why I don't work on cars anymore..just commercial trucks...hard to say no when it's family tho .

I would watch an hour's worth of ads just to keep your funding coming in to keep the quality content that you make that I enjoy very much watching I look forward to every new video

Thank you for showing us this. Glad your customers have such a competent mechanic working on their vehicles.

Amazing how the Smoke machine works...Great Video Wes as usual.thank you for sharing it with us...

Big fan of your videos and your diagnosis style. I just did this exact job on my ‘13 Silverado. Probably took me longer because I’m a hack! Thanks for all your work!

Another award winning Watch Wes Work production!

I'm so glad I'm not the only who has extra, full boxes from Surplus Center. If I lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, I wouldn't have a dime to my name!

If you get into a gas tank situation requiring the use of steel tools, drop some dry ice into the fuel tank. As it evaporates it becomes CO2 gas like a fire extinguisher. The gas vapors cannot combust and the CO2 gas will later dissipate.

I'm glad I don't have to deal with rust too often. You do what you have to do. That's ridiculous. I won't put in the junky cheap pumps either because if you do within 6 months you have to redo it again. Nice job Wes!!

Since I found your Chanel Wes I've been binge watching, I have learned so much about vehicles I will never own yet love it. Knowledge is power buddy, thanks for sharing

This is awesome! The log jam cleared and WWW is now flowing to my screen more oftener than before! Thanks Wes!

I learn something from every video,, thanks for the lesson.

Once the tank was removed my first thought was "engineered life" meaning the design of the tank combined with the material used on the pump and locking ring are designed to fail. At the very least, GM could easily make those crap steel components using stainless steel, but then again we wouldn't have another great video! Thank you Wes!

as a long time diy person and IT guy your end scene was me nearly every day. although many times i show up to fix something and it isnt a real problem they were just trying to do it wrong. dont get me started on the dingbats that forget there password every freaking weekend.. same people put in tickets every monday, "my passwords not working"

I like how you skilfully use the air-hammer to collect all the rust into a neat pile, carry it across the top of the tank and down into the cuff of your pull-over.

I live in SC I worked in parts for over 15 years. We would sell hundreds of fuel pumps for GM trucks due to rust. We don't normally deal with rusty cars here but GM in all there wisdom Puts the fuel pump in a low spot on the top of the tank. It traps dirt and moisture (lots of dirt roads around here) and with just a zinc coated top.Boom next thing you know rusty fuel pump top.

Wow what a pain!! Another good reason to do annual oil rust prevention spray up here in the winter salt belt!!

I love the "long way around the barn to fix this... to fix this... to fix this... to fix this..."

Thank you again Wes. Stay warm and happy.

It seems odd, that the HQ of all the major US car manufacturers is in the same climate, yet, little to no effort is made to "rust proof" any parts of them. I again am thankful that I live in an area where snow and ice are rare, and where putting some "sand" out on bridges and overpasses is the only thing necessary. Y'all have my sympathy.

Great job GM, any DTC and "no remote start for you!". I truly feel sorry for guys like you, Eric O and others in the rust belt that work on cars, trucks, equipment etc every day. I'm not sure I could deal with what you guys deal with without some kind of medication....lol.

I never fail to feel blessed I live in the south when I see you or Eric O fight the rust

The last minute of this video... 😂😂😂

3:46 At least I'm not the only one who constantly tells dead things to stay or to not fall down :) 5:08 The bodies of these 10-20 year old cars often still look really nice, but the lower side is rusty crap. Why the hell do the manufacturers never zinc coat the steel parts? 9:13 Seems to be a quick connect and slow disconnect system. 12:06 Call it rust removal hammer :D

The wise cracks and puns in this video surpass the Will Ferrel level just lacking the enthusiasm. Glad you were standing on that dielectric grease pad so you didn't spark when opening the tank. 😉🤗 Have a great week Wes!

I grew up in Illinois Farm country, and I went to school with a lot of farm boys, many of whom were talented mechanics. You remind me so much of those days. I love watching you work, and I enjoy your logical midwest deduction and common sense. Thank you for putting the effort in on these video's, and thanks for the dry sense of humor.

Priorities, the remote start is more important than the light they have been looking at for probably months! I guess we can thank winter for this job! Look a benefit to living here! Remote start on all GMs with fob: 1.) lock doors 2.) hold remote start button for three seconds (believe they say 2-5 but 3 is the magic number)

So, I wonder if it would do any harm to paint the top of the fuel pump cover with a good rust paint before installing it? The thought of trying to extend the life of it by giving it a chance to avoid the rust issue ( rust will eventually win, it always does ) but if it's painted one would think it might last a little bit longer.. Just a thought.. Nice job Wes, thanks for the share..

After a stressful day at work, a mid week WWW hit the spot nicely!

To paraphrase an old 1980s UK advert “ all because the lady loves *remote start* ”

You need some mouse scented smoke, Max will find your leaks every time.

The repair shop I used to work at was about an hour south east of Chicago and in the rust belt. We always used dielectric grease on all fuel lines fittings and fluid film on exposed steel like the top of the fue pump. I really enjoy watching other work in these videos. I liked the air chisel trick 👍

I just wanted to say that I love the rust videos. Being in the southern US, I've never seen so much, and you deal with it day in and out. I feel like I have been short changing the value of the word, when calling something rusty.. ,, So embarrassed! Love the channel.. Thanks.

I've done that job laying in my driveway. It's not near as fun to do as you'd think. hahaha

I would hav tried to cut the lock ring out with a torch 😂

Unrelated to the repair I installed an aftermarket remote starter in a similar vintage Tahoe. What a nightmare! The electronics control and information available on a single data wire is mind blowing; all doors closed, hood shut, etc, etc checks before starting. Dialing up the production quality I see. Nice! 👍

Seeing all the problems from rust makes me glad I have grown up in the South. No need to salt our roads.

Nice job. Same thing happened on my 04 Escalade... Smelled like gas the whole time it was running.... Then the shop I took it to couldn't diagnose it.... Spent like a day playing with the filler neck.... You guys who are good at this, think good shops are everywhere. They most certainly are not. 1 out of 100 maybe.... They make lock ring remover-installer tools. They are cheap, and they work.... Kinda look a like a big oil filter wrench... I dunno, I've had good results. You can push DOWN, while you turn, which is part of it.... Also, soak that down with PB Blaster or the libation of your choice first.... I have to say, I like the other makes, where you can go in under the back seat.... That whole dropping the tank thing, is brutal for us home gamers..... I also have to say, that has to be a worldwide first... Every time I need to do a fuel pump, it's FULL of gas... Every time. It was almost empty.... Heh heh! I hope you ran out & bought $50 bucks worth of lottery tickets..... Crazy lucky.

Minute fourty in. GM.... remote start inop.... EVAP And eight seconds later. I'm right. GM... seriously get your shit together. This is an issue for what... fifteen years? I'll cut GM some slack on this one. For once it wasn't a solenoid, or a plugged vent.

All the different tools you have, and how you know how to use them all is fantastic, you and your family keep them common videos.. i’d have you fix my truck if you live by Reno.

Love how u actually check your work !

Look at that rusty frame on a GM lol. Why do people not use rust protection your area 😳

You are a terrific mechanic Wes. Keep the videos coming......

I’m loosing my faith in newer cars! Wes thank you sincerely for your videos. I’ve learned so much and had fun watching your videos.

The official "transmission/tank adapter!" I love it Wes! Keep it up my brother! Mad respect, even with all the complaining and stuff. Love your content.

CRUS-TY! Icky. Good work saving that quick connect. Always a fun watch, Wes!!

I'm so glad you didn't edit the end...lmao Great job !!! Stay warm.

I just replaced the pump and lock ring in my 07 sierra, and nearly destroyed the tabs getting the ring off. Worst one I ever did. Great video Wes.

Thank you for not cutting out the last bit ! It was pretty funny ! But that's how it (sometimes ) works with the remote starting function on those key fobs ! They are a pain ! And if you run the batteries all the way dead you will have to get the fob reprogrammed , and that's a pain in the tukas !

I like your editing style, leaving just enough of the would-be outtakes

Wes, your level of patience is becoming legendary. Maybe a compilation of some of your videos would do well in secondary schools, reminding the growing kids that screaming and shouting generally leads nowhere. Great content as always.

Watching the under chassis portion of the video ( related to the level of rust present )reminds me that having a 20 plus year old Jeep with no rust anywhere on it is the only advantage that I have by living in the state of Oregon . Thanks for another great video Wes .

Great "real world " repair Wes! Always a joy! 🖖👍👊

It took me a while to learn about lock before start on my 07 GP. Good job

Hey Wes! My 08 Silverado has a sequence for remote start, it's lock, lock, then start. You likely already knew this and we're using the no start for comedic effect, but in the event you didn't know, you now do!

Even tho u did a wonderful job at your diagnosis that remote start can still drive someone crazy. Good job Wes.👍👍👍

Yes!! A mid week video!! Love it!!

Had to replace the fuel pump in my wife's 2000 VS Golf, TDI. Plastic tank, plastic lock ring, plastic fuel pump. Accessible through an access plate under the rear seat. Total time to replace it: 15 min. (Also had to use the old sender.) Thanks Wes!

Nice job. Glad to see that you grabbed the brass punch for the fuel ring. Most folks use a screw driver. Also surprised that it didn’t have tons of rust under it.

Until I retired I worked for a company in England that made parts for the airbrake systems on commercial vehicles, Volvo, Freightliner, Paccar Isuzu, to name a few, we used Viton o rings for those parts under the hood where temps got really high, didn't know they were used on fuel systems........ you learn something new every day.

Your wife may be the teacher, but you could teach a masterclass on sarcasm, my friend.

Short videos usually underline just how good are at diagnostics :) Long ones show your dedication to fixing the dang thing!

Watching the rust ants marching off line astern from the tank ring under the onslaught of the air hammer was mesmeric! Great sleuthing Sherlock!

Fantastic videos Buddy. I watch lots of fixing videos and find yours really interesting as you’ve a different approach and a cool manner of your way of explaining things 👍🏻 Cheers Stevie 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Good video Wes. Fuel tanks are a pain. At least it was almost empty. I sit out here in Northern California and don’t envy you guys back in the Midwest and back east dealing with all that corrosion.

There aren't a lot of people I'd be happy to work for, but Wes seems like one of the few I'd be happy with.

Hahahaha! Wes … truly wish you were my mechanic in PA! I like your attention-to-detail and detective methods. 👍🏻