It sounds like your fuel pump relay is not working.
When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine you should here the fuel pump run for a few seconds.
The ECM controls the fuel pump relay.
The truck has a fuel pump relay that supplies power to the fuel pump when:
- Anytime the ECM receives a distributor reference pulse. (Engine running / engine cranking)
- The key is turned on engine not cranking – relay applied for 2 to 20 seconds (most trucks 2 seconds), depending on emissions equipment. Trucks over 8500 GVW and some other vehicles have and electronic Fuel timer module that allows the pump to run up to 20 seconds.
The key must be turned off for a certain amount of time before it will prime the system again when turned back on.
When the engine has oil pressure a redundant circuit supplies power to the fuel pump. This circuit goes through an oil pressure sensor/sender. Once the engine has oil pressure the fuel pump will get power even is the relay has failed. This is most likely why it will run if you use starting fluid to start it.
If the fuel pump relay is bad the computer should have store a trouble code 54.
A code 54 happens when the computer does not see power on the circuit from the fuel relay to the fuel pump, when the computer is sending power to the relay to apply the relay.
Here are some web sites with the basics on retrieving codes without a scan tool or code reader.
Poor drawing of ALDL but ok instruction + codes
http://www.cfm-tech.com/gm_tbi_trouble_codes.htm
OBDI terminal identification
http://robertpowersmotorsports.frees.../ALDL_plug.jpg
OBDI illustration and instructions
http://www.troublecodes.net/GM/
I see it’s your first post. Welcome to the message board.