Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Chevy Suburban V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 133000 miles
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I have a 1999 Chevy Suburban that has been dying regularly. I've had this truck worked on by my local shop as well as the dealer. So far I've replaced the battery, battery cable where to the starter, ignition control module, fuel pump, fuel fliter, distributer, rotor, plugs, wires, fuel lines all without fixing the problem. I had it at the dealer last night and was told to replace the camshaft sensor, but the next statement from the dealer mechanic was the it was a "guessing game". I'm not sure that is an acceptable answer but I'm having no luck. The dealer pulled a code: P1351. When the check engine light is on it will spit and sputter and backfire if I give it the gas. If I baby it, it runs fine. If the check engine light is not on it runs great. I'm on the verge of a trade-in, and the wife wants a mini-van.....please help! Should I try the camshaft sensor or put her to pasture!!

You said they replaced the distributor, rotor, etc. Did you mean distributor cap? Reason I ask is later you said the dealer said to replace the camshaft sensor which comes in a new distribtor as does the rotor. Reason I question all of this is that code is most likely due to a worn bushing in the distributor, in which case you would need to replace the distributor.

Yes...distributer cap....my bad. I replaced the cam shaft sensor on Thursday night and now it won't start period.....I towed it to a different Chevy dealership today.....I give up. Would a worn bushing in the distributer cause it to randomly die while driving down the road?? When this started, it might run perfect for a few days, then it might quit 4 times in a day.....might start back up in 5 minutes or might sit for 3 hours before it would re-start. This has been an ongoing problem that is just getting worse. I've dumped over $600 into it and it now will not start. Have driven this Sub for the last 2 years whitout any problems, just frustrating to have it totally lay down on me.

Yeah it could randomly die then run alright. The distributor has a set of vanes that turn as the distributor does. The camshaft position sensor also has a set of vanes. These vanes pass by each other creating a magnetic field. If the bushing is worn in the distributor, sometimes the vanes will pass too far away from each other or may touch each other.

If you can get the distributor cap off, try grabbing the rotor and moving it side to side. One with a worn bushing is pretty obvious, there will be a lot of movement.

This is something we see a lot.

Jetsa wrote:

Yeah it could randomly die then run alright. The distributor has a set of vanes that turn as the distributor does. The camshaft position sensor also has a set of vanes. These vanes pass by each other creating a magnetic field. If the bushing is worn in the distributor, sometimes the vanes will pass too far away from each other or may touch each other. If you can get the distributor cap off, try grabbing the rotor and moving it side to side. One with a worn bushing is pretty obvious, there will be a lot of movement. This is something we see a lot.

Rotor is tight.....dealer just called, said it was out of time. They are timing then we will go from there I guess.....hopefully it was the camshaft sensor. We'll see. Thanks, James

Did the dealer finally figure it out yet?

I have the opposite effect. Mine has run fine but everyone once in awhile I go out to strat it and it won't but if I leave it for awhile then come back it will start but with a sputter..... and then everything runs perfect after that. Now it won't start period after taking a 5 hour drive. Sounds like it is out of gas....turns over easy but you smell gas. I check gas pressure and it is all good. I got a P1351 code too. Same truck, 1999 Suburban 350 Vortec. Have not checked distributor but will now. Just want to know what dealership checked or found. I wonder if it is a timing chain?

Thanks Tommy

Nope, dealer put it back in time and it ran for 4 days. I'd notice at stop signs and idleing, it would shudder every once in a while.....anyway, after 4 days it quit again. Let it sit over the weekend and then started it and drove it back to the dealer.....same code but now they want to put a new fuel pump in it. I guess it could be but my local mechanic tells me that it died WHILE HIS COMPUTER WAS HOOKED UP, and fuel pressure was fine. He thinks it is something in the wiring. I just replaced the fuel pump back in October. Well over $1000 and still quitting me on the side of the road.

Think the wife has decided to get her a new Toyota mini-van ...... my boy scout troop is sure going to miss the 'burban.