1999 Chevy Silverado Starting Problems

JTDRAFTER

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

When I go to crank my truck I have to turn it over several times before it cranks. Some times it fires up on the first spin over but other times I have to spin it over several times before it cranks. I'm thinking that the fuel pump could be going out again but I would like some input before pulling the bed off the truck for the second time. I replaced the fuel pump at around 70,000 miles.

Sunday, September 27th, 2009 AT 10:07 AM

3 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome, what is the litre size of your engine? Cranking is starter action, your saying sometimes there is an extended crank, before it will start? Try cycling the key, on and off a few times before you crank it. I'd use a gage and check fuel pressure before suspecting the pump.

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Sunday, September 27th, 2009 AT 12:27 PM

JTDRAFTER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

That seems to do the trick. What do I need to replace to fix it?
I'm also having some major issues with my headlights diming after the truck is running.
When I first crank the truck the headlights dim and brighten back up. The volt meter drops to about 12 and bounces between 12 and 14 as the headlights go from dim to bright.
It didn't give me any issues all summer but as it has got colder the problem has gotten to be a problem. I'm worried that if I don't get this taken care it could cause something else to go bad because of the way the voltage keeps dancing around.

Thanks a ton for the help.

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Thursday, December 17th, 2009 AT 5:37 AM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

As far as the fuel issue, it could be a weak pump, I'd check pressure and fuel filter.

As far as the headlites, I'd have the charging system checked.

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Thursday, December 17th, 2009 AT 12:42 PM