Odd Silverado Anomoly

[mscher]

I should knock-on-wood and keep my mouth shut, about how well my 01' 1500 (5.3) runs, with 178k miles. (purchased it in Dec, wth 164K).

Anyway, I didn't and it did something very strange.

Monday after work, If I started it, it would just die instantly - just directly die. Several tries same thing. Held the throttle down and it would run but seemed a little rough. after a bit it would idle all right, but when I drove it down the road and stopped, it died again. took it back to the truck shop (where I work), the mechanics said "are all the fluids up?" the oil and coolant were fine, but the ATF was down barely on the end of the stick. I added ATF to bring it up.

This truck has never did this before or since. Runs fine like it always has. The mechanics were not sure if that year has a sensor in the transmission, to shut it down or maybe that was just a coincidence. Ther were no check engine, or other error messages. I do have a slight coolant leak (big surprise), so I know the coolant level sensor works.

Any ideas?

 

[kemer1]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

A random cut out like that could be caused by a few things. Everything from a glitch on the trucks anti-theft system, to a hiccup in the ECU, a coil pack, or something as dumb as corrosion on the battery terminals. Then again a fuel filter being clogged could cause something like this. Bad fuel, clogged injector.

Glad to hear that you have almost 180k trouble free miles on it, and I hope you get at least another 180k more.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

Get the fuel pump pressure checked. Those fuel pumps are notorious for failing and those are some of the symptoms. If it ever dies and will not start again......... hit the bottom of the fuel tank with a block of wood and a big hammer.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

Get the fuel pump pressure checked. Those fuel pumps are notorious for failing and those are some of the symptoms. If it ever dies and will not start again......... hit the bottom of the fuel tank with a block of wood and a big hammer.

One of the local scrap metal collectors that comes by the shop has a Blazer. He does the same thing to get it going.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

Yup it is a chevy thing and it is fairly common but a chev mechanic showed me that trick and it works about 75% of the time however, the pump will still need to be replaced asap

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

clean the throttle plate and bore.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

One trick with GM's or other vehicles is to never run with less than a 1/4 tank of gas as the gas keeps the pump running COOL running close to empty makes all pumps run HOT and wears them out much quickly.....01 has a trannie oil temp sensor but it shouldn't kill the engine just stop it from shifting right
One thing that can cause to stall is lower intake poppet valve or tubes leaking you usally smell fuel

 

[lennyb]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

As a chevy technician i can tell you that the trans temp sensor will not effect operation like the problems your having.. I agree that it sounds just like a fuel pump going out on you (losing pressure) You can get a pressure tester from parts store (most have tool loner programs). testing the pressure is as simple as pulling the valve cap off (pass. side fuel rail)-(unless its a 4.3 then its on the drivers side rail) and just hooking up the tester. For that truck you want to see a min. of 56-60psi with key on engine off (you may have to cycle the key a few times to reach full pressure) DO NOT put in a aftermarket pump..I've seen these things cause many problems over the years. And also replace the fuel filter @ the same time. The bang on the tank thing will work for now but sooner or later its gonna leave you stranded somewhere..

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

Have no idea myself, but the 02 Impala had astart problem that had to have a remote starter to fix. Gm never recognized this problem.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

I agree with replace the fuel pump and filter. With that many miles, a fuel pump is kaput.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

Yep, fuel pump. The FP in the 2001 Tahoe died at 12:30 am. Fortunatly it died right as we turned in the driveway.

 

[GMC2003]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

There's one other part that may be contributing it.... I agree 100% with the fuel pump. But when we replaced my dads (2000 Silverado 5.3) it would still run rough, until we replaced the fuel pressure regulator.

 

[skargo]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

A random cut out like that could be caused by a few things. Everything from a glitch on the trucks anti-theft system, to a hiccup in the ECU, a coil pack, or something as dumb as corrosion on the battery terminals. Then again a fuel filter being clogged could cause something like this. Bad fuel, clogged injector.

Glad to hear that you have almost 180k trouble free miles on it, and I hope you get at least another 180k more.

Except he's had 14K trouble free miles...

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

I had a similar issue with my 00 Silverado. After replacing various things what finally fixed my problem was replacing the intake manifold and gaskets as the intake warped in the back.

This was after I had already replaced the following without noticing a change, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, fuel filter, and another random sensor that didnt fix my issue.


Good Luck!

And if you want to know what else you may be in for, my gas tank straps rusted out and i was dragging the tnak down the freeway, the door handles snap, the power windows roll up very slow now, my dash cluster went out on me, my power mirror switch went out (water conveniently drips there if it's raining and window is cracked resulting in a worn part, my 4x4 switch went out, idler arm, pitman arm, altenator, my transmission went around 190k (the sun gear shield just shatters), that's about all I can think of right now but I am certain most of the items I listed are common failurs for this truck. At least you know!

 

[jim765]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

new fuel pump = about 300.00 good luck

I should knock-on-wood and keep my mouth shut, about how well my 01' 1500 (5.3) runs, with 178k miles. (purchased it in Dec, wth 164K).

Anyway, I didn't and it did something very strange.

Monday after work, If I started it, it would just die instantly - just directly die. Several tries same thing. Held the throttle down and it would run but seemed a little rough. after a bit it would idle all right, but when I drove it down the road and stopped, it died again. took it back to the truck shop (where I work), the mechanics said "are all the fluids up?" the oil and coolant were fine, but the ATF was down barely on the end of the stick. I added ATF to bring it up.

This truck has never did this before or since. Runs fine like it always has. The mechanics were not sure if that year has a sensor in the transmission, to shut it down or maybe that was just a coincidence. Ther were no check engine, or other error messages. I do have a slight coolant leak (big surprise), so I know the coolant level sensor works.

Any ideas?

 

[mscher]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

Still knocking on wood, as the truck has not faltered since.

I did go back through the service records, from the previous owner and found that the fuel pump was replaced at 131K miles.

Does anybody know what makes these pumps stop, that banging on them with a hammer, makes them run a bit longer? Pumping mechanism sticking? pump motor, sticking or dead spots?

Is ethanol damaging these pumps?

Just curious.

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

I was told by a chevy dealer that over filling the gas tank beyond the pump stopping on it's own when you have the pump handle lock in place. Over filling somehow damages the pump.

 

[mscher]

Re: Odd Silverado Anomoly

I was told by a chevy dealer that over filling the gas tank beyond the pump stopping on it's own when you have the pump handle lock in place. Over filling somehow damages the pump.

Not a problem.

I usually have tears in my eyes, anyway ($$$), long before the pump shuts off the first time. I'd have to look under the for change (lots of it), to "top off".