2003 Chevy 1500HD starting issues

[paulsharvey]

Son has a 2003 Chevy 1500HD, 2wd; 6.0L Vortec, that recently has had some starting issues. Started as sometimes; it would fire once and immediately die; do that 3 or 4 times; starts up and runs. He says once it's running, never had it die. Now, some times it does the same; some times he gets just a click and nothing. Some times it cranks right up. No codes (cheap reader, but also no CEL) Battery is tested good. My instinct is bad or loose ground somewhere. Any thoughts? Did some quick googling; but most stuff on there seems to be about an anti-theft system; and I wouldn't think that would explain the fire once and die?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Son has a 2003 Chevy 1500HD, 2wd; 6.0L Vortec, that recently has had some starting issues. Started as sometimes; it would fire once and immediately die; do that 3 or 4 times; starts up and runs. He says once it's running, never had it die. Now, some times it does the same; some times he gets just a click and nothing. Some times it cranks right up. No codes (cheap reader, but also no CEL) Battery is tested good. My instinct is bad or loose ground somewhere. Any thoughts? Did some quick googling; but most stuff on there seems to be about an anti-theft system; and I wouldn't think that would explain the fire once and die?

I'm not a GM guy, but I have worked places and kept fleets up. That one may have delay start. There is a small relay, I'm thinking under the hood, that will cause that problem. A little spray lube in the ignition is always good. Puts off changing the ignition. See if it has delay start. You can change that relay out with another relay in the box. Just to see if that's it. Should buy another if that's the problem. I'm not sure if it is in the cab fuse box or the engine compartment fuse box. Colors of relays is important too. Gray and black are for specific duties. In fact, in this day and age, take a pic before swapping relays.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Also if it has a tach, does it move on a crank, no start ? I'd replace cam sensor and crank sensors anyway, and I'd keep the old sensors for future diagnosis of problems.
Fuel pump relay could be. Relay bypasses crank sensor until engine is running. But, if relay isn't working, fuel pump isn't working.

Ground on alternator.

Could be solenoid on starter. Don't really sound like it.

 

[paulsharvey]

I will check with him after work tomorrow. I appreciate the ideas. I hate 12v vehicle wiring;

 

[super55]

Working with two separate issues:

1. Start and stall- Almost 100% certain it's the fuel pressure regulator. My 2000 5.3 had an intermittent similar problem and it solved it. It also never put up a code or check engine.

2. Could be a ground but really sounds like it's the starter solenoid. The click your hearing is the solenoid closing. Sounds like it is worn and sometimes failing and not letting the higher amperage get to the starter motor. The solenoid is right on the starter so it will likely have to be a starter replacement but you should be able to get a core charge for the old starter at any parts store.

 

[tacticalturnip]

My first thought was starter solenoid; two of the four GM's I owned from that era went through that, including the 1500HD.

 

[nyone]

What's the fuel pressure show on the live data on your cheap scanner?

 

[paulsharvey]

The scanner apparently didnt show fuel pressure. The positive battery cable had a ghetto repair end, so we slathered copper anitseeze on it. Boy stripped the screw in terminal out in battery too, so that was a $120 lesson on stainless steel bolt vs lead threads. He said that since new battery, the starting is 100%.

Last night, he mentions; something wrong with brakes, peddle goes all the way to floor before stopping... I check brake fluid (checked 2 weeks ago, good), nearly empty. Start looking for broken line (he admitted he was driving around in woods, so figured he snagged a line). Nope, drivers rear rotor and pad in pics. So little pad/rotor left the caliper pistons extended out so much it dumped the brake fluid.

 

[paulsharvey]

Got breaks replaced. New rotor, calipers, and pads. Passenger side rear wheel seal is also leaving, but that's a job for another day. Explained to the boy, it could have been a $60 brake pad job, instead of a $400 whole ordeal, if he had paid attention...

Probably could have skipped the calipers; but one side getting hyper extended, if I figured I'd error on the safe side. Probably could have just got seals/pistons in a rebuild kit for 1/3rd the money, and a bit of hassle, but decided to just buy new (remanufactured).

Autozone sold me the wrong pads, so while I was at work, had boy go and get right pads; they sold him the wrong ones again. Stopped on way home, and this Autozone asked "dual piston or single"; dual; so we got right pads. Didn't realize a 1500HD could come with single piston calipers...

 

[paulsharvey]

Working with two separate issues:

1. Start and stall- Almost 100% certain it's the fuel pressure regulator. My 2000 5.3 had an intermittent similar problem and it solved it. It also never put up a code or check engine.

2. Could be a ground but really sounds like it's the starter solenoid. The click your hearing is the solenoid closing. Sounds like it is worn and sometimes failing and not letting the higher amperage get to the starter motor. The solenoid is right on the starter so it will likely have to be a starter replacement but you should be able to get a core charge for the old starter at any parts store.

He hasn't had the start and die problem again, but he did just get a Knock Sensor code. Coincidence or related? I think any pending codes were being wiped when battery terminals would lose contact.