Can anyone give me some ideas about why my 99 tahoe won't start. It will crank but won't actually start and then go back either that afternoon or the next day or sometimes 15 minutes later and it will start, there is no rhyme or reason when it will do it or when it will decide to actually start. Sometimes if you catch it while your cranking and give it gas it will start but you have to stay on the gas for a little bit or it will die. We have put in a new fuel pump and that didn't fix the problem, a friend of ours did it for us, and he also checked the fuel pressure and said it was good, but we haven;t changed the fuel filter can this cause that type of problem? If the fuel filter is bad wouldn't it affect the fuel pressure? I have noticed that sometimes it seems like it's on days that it is rainy or cloudy, but it was raining heavily this morning when I went to work and it started fine, and then at lunch it won't start.
2007-05-15 07:37:25 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
First if you have a check engine light on you need to go to your local autozone or mechanic to have your codes retreived.This may help you find your problem,also change your fuel filter.Changing it on regular basis will help you in the long run.
2007-05-15 08:06:39 · answer #1 · answered by Johnny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can give you lots of ideas for problems like this. First off, you have to be prepared to check for the fault when it occurs as intermittent problems are like this. You have to diagnose when the motor will not start. Checks to perform before the diagnosis begins are to scan the PCM and BCM for any codes that could be the problem or a clue to what you will be looking for. To be sure, I would replace the fuel filter. These should be changed every 20000 km if not more. They should be replaced when a new fuel pump is installed also. Now for the fun. When the fuel pump was changed, did you change the fuel pump or the entire fuel sender/pump cartridge? The sender or the holder/cartridge have had problems with a heated wire that can cause an intermittent no start with a fuel pump not producing enough or any fuel pressue. Also if you are not getting fuel pressure, you have to be sure it is a problem inside the tank and not a wiring or a connection problem leading to the tank. Like I said, these are difficult to find so be prepared and familiar with what you are going to do. You will need to check power and ground supplies to the pump or tank when the fault is active. The other thing is to check for spark output. A complete physical exam of the condition of the plug wires, cap, rotor, coil tower, and spark plugs is necessary to locate corrosion or carbon tracking on anything. If you suspect, replace it or the complete set of plugs and wires. When the fault goes active, you have to check spark delivery to the spark plug end for a strong and consistent spark. If not, trace back to where it is strong and consistent and repair/replace the high resistant part or parts. If you have no spark at all, you will have to check through the primary ignition circuits and this requires some special tools and a manual. These trucks also had problems with intermittent no start condition that related to the factory anti-theft system or someone installing an aftermarket one into or over the existing. Those should show up in the code search, however. Good luck.
2007-05-15 07:59:13 · answer #2 · answered by Deano 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Change the fuel filter first. Then start looking at the wiring. you may also have a coil going bad. A mech can find it a fix it faster than you and it can cost you a lot more to fix it, than if a certified mech does it in the first place. It wouldn't be the first time that a new fuel pump is not working right.
2007-05-15 07:52:19 · answer #3 · answered by oilfieldinsultant 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi... there are several places i would check. 1st if it has an alarm, check the module under the steering colomn is plugged in properly. 2nd, clean battery poles and clamps. 3rd, if check engine light is or was on, repair trouble code/s. 4th, replace fuel filter anyway. 5th, replace rotor and cap because this engines wear them out fast. 6th,replace air filter if not using k&n. after all of the above and still having the same problem, take it to a shop and have it scanned.
2007-05-18 19:09:00 · answer #4 · answered by charlie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a simular problem with my 97 Suburban. It was a ground wire that connected to the coil. If you can get it started while it is running wiggle the wires around the coil. Mine would shut off. Good luck.
2007-05-15 08:12:38 · answer #5 · answered by Rick S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you notice it more on damp or rainy days, take a look at the spark plugs and ignition wires. It may be time to change them up.
2007-05-15 07:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you may have a pcm that is going bad, but to be sure,you need to have a tech hook a scan tool to ck for codes related to the no start complaint
2007-05-15 16:25:03 · answer #7 · answered by deltech 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hook a battery charger to it ans see how it does. I used to have an old forklift that would never start on a cold morning. It was a pain in the ***.
2007-05-15 07:46:44 · answer #8 · answered by Austin B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like your coolant temp sensor may be bad...but without properly diagnosing it it is crystal ball at this point
2007-05-15 07:52:25 · answer #9 · answered by malemute1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋