I am a novice and have owned my 1992 5.7L Z28 for about 2 months.

One not particularly cold Texas morning the car wouldn't start. Seemed like no fuel as it cranked normally. Later that day the car started fine. Since then the idle has been unstable/surging about a third of the time I drive it. When the idle is unstable (500-1000 RPM back and forth) it also drives poorly. It has stalled when shifting into Drive and also stalled when I've come to a stop at a light. The air filter appears new. When it starts and idles ok it drives ok. I don't believe it's miss firing.

I opted to change the fuel filter because I could do it myself and it was cheap. First I unplugged the electrical connect to the fuel pump, the one under the car by the fuel tank. Second I changed out the filter. Third plugged the pump back in. I tried to start several times and then checked the filter again realized I put it on backwards!!! Rookie move.

I repeated the steps above and put the filter on correctly. Tried to start and I can't get the engine to turn over... and that's where it is.

I do not recall hearing the fuel pump since I change the filter out. Could putting the filter on backwards have hurt the pump? I have checked and rechecked the electrical connect underneath to the fuel pump, it IS plugged in. I also checked the fuel injector rail pressure relief valve and fuel flows out, doesn't spray but positive pressure is there.

Questions: Is there a fuel pump fuse?
Which one of the relays located on the driver side firewall is the pump relay?

Thank you all in advance for the help. Please be specific since I am new to this.

 

Just to be clear, when I crank the engine the I have not once gotten any kind of combustion at all. And I do not have any service engine lights on. All I have is a starter turning an engine. Thanks

 

Yes, there is a fuel pump fuse. As for the relay, not sure but you can find that info out in a shop manual. (Chilton's or Haynes too) I highly doubt putting the filter in backwards had an effect on the pump. If you can't hear the pump run when you turn the key on, it's either out, or an electrical problem, such as a blown fuse. Did you recheck the wires? It is possible when you unhooked the wires, one could have broke (inside the insulation).

 

Well in the end it was my fuel pump.