What would cause my truck to crank, fire up then die after changing the battery?

Tiny
LUKEROBERTS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 167,000 MILES
Truck is running fine I start it up this morning and I notice the doors dont lock when I put it in gear, the fuel gauge isnt working, ses light is on, abs light is on and the battery light is on also. So I take the battery and alternator and have them tested, alternator is fine and the battery has a dead cell in it so.I replace the battery (correct for 2002 burban). Truck starts great, doors lock in gear now, the ses, abs and battery lights are off and the fuel gauge is working. Everything is working normal and truck runs great. Ok here is the problem: about an hour later I go to leave in the truck and I start the engine, its fires up then dies. And that is all it will do now. I turn the key, it cranks great, the engine fires and then dies, fuel pump is working and I have pressure at the rails. Please help!
Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 10:20 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Ok, but what is the pressure? There may be enough to make it start but not enough to keep it running.

Roy
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Did you try starting with gas pedal slightly depressed?
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
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There seemed to be alot of pressure at the rails as it squirted fuel out all over my hand. I did try to keep it running by slightly pressing the throttle while cranking. I didnt want to do it too much for fear of washing down the cylinders. Crank sensor related? Im guessing it wouldnt even fire if it was bad? Tps? Iac?
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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When it fires up, try feathering the throttle and if you can keep it running that would mean the idle control system is not functioning correctly.
The IAC could be stuck in the closed position and there are restrictions in the air passage due to dirt accumulation.
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 2:20 PM
Tiny
LUKEROBERTS
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I've tried feathering the throttle and also held it to the floor, it wont run. It acts like an older Ford with the iac stuck in cold weather. It literally will crank, fire and immediately die. I will check the iac and get back to you. I drove the truck before all this and it crank and ran fine other than the gauges and door locks not functioning right. All this came about after the battery change. It did crank and run great after the battery change, I really dont think its related to the battery change though.
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The battery change can be the cause because when power to the engine computer is disconneted, it would lose its memory and after reconnecting, the engine computer would need to relearn. Any clogging of idle air passages can result in stalling during idling.
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 2:56 PM
Tiny
LUKEROBERTS
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I checked the iac and it is working properly, I took it off and cleaned it also. Im going to sleep on it for a little while (working nights this week). What about the crank sensor? I am also going to check fuel pressure with a gauge during cranking to be sure, but I wont have access to a gauge til tomorrow (sat).
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 3:20 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Sounds like it's in theft mode. Will consistently run for two seconds and die.
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Friday, October 5th, 2012 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
LUKEROBERTS
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So how doi get it out of theft mode?
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Saturday, October 6th, 2012 AT 11:14 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Is the security light blinking or steady when attempting to start engine?
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Saturday, October 6th, 2012 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Unfortunately GM anti-theft systems are real effective at keeping owners out of their vehicles. I only know a few of the common problems like broken wires in the tilt steering column, but there is a relearn procedure that involves leaving the ignition switch on for multiple ten-minute intervals. KHLow2008 might be able to describe it better. You can also try disarming it by unlocking the passenger door with the key or by using a remote key fob. If either of those work, you might suspect a broken wire between the driver's door hinges going to the switch on the lock cylinder.
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Saturday, October 6th, 2012 AT 8:01 PM

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