2000 Chevy Suburban Vehicle wont stay running

Tiny
PORTHOS1
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
I recently was driving my vehicle when I had a slight hesitation. I quickly paid attention and it did it again. As I got closer to my home it did it more. I floored it but it didnt rev up or go faster. When I got home I let it set for 10 min or so then took it out for a spin on the highway to see if I had bad gas or water in it. I had no problem. I stopped and put in some heat and started it up. It ran for a sec and then died. I got it home by towing. I quickly went the cheapest way and replaced the fuel filter, but still same issue. I started it up and it ran rough then slowly died. I figure it is the fuel pump. But another thing to add. My wife who drives this more than me has been seeing the dash lights flicker bad at idle and sometimes driving. Also the stock stereo has reset the clock several times. I am not sure that this could be all tied to the ignition module.
Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 1:27 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Sounds like 2 seperate problems or maybe not. First check the battery connections. This model usually has 2 positive cables that connect to battery with a lead spacer between them and the lead spacer is soft so over time it crushes leaving the battey terminals loose. Second try spraying starter fluid into intake and see if it will start when you have the no start condition because it also sounds like you have a fuel pump problem also. **On the fuel pump also make sure the connector on top of the tank is not melted(known problem).
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
PORTHOS1
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
I just went out this morning and started up the car just to see. It started and ran. But still lights flickering and not to far from normal idle. I will check the battery connection, but the one thing I have found alot on some other peoples forum question is when they turn the key to on, you guys have said you should hear the pump "come on". I do. I can rev the engine and no problem. Should I look for a egr valve thing or something that keeps my car running. A friend told me about a something valve that controls air flow and thins out the gas when it gets plugged. Not a 100 percent sure. One thing I need to note I do HVAC for aliving so I have a meter and can check and trace wires if needed.
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
A non functioning or plugged egr wont affect idle or operation at all. With a meter you can do a amp draw check on the fuel pump, this is how I always check them. Put meter on 10 amp dc scale and under the hood there will be a red pigtail wire by itself near the under hood fuse box that is used to test fuel pump. Put one end on positive batery and one end on pig tail and you should rear about 10 amps on a real good pump but no less than 9.5. If its less than this indicates a weak fuel pump
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+1
Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
PORTHOS1
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
Hopefully my last question. I checked it with my meter and got 10 amps dc. I was seeing briefly some talk about the cat convertor. Without knowing all the ins and outs of it, it would seem to be a possibility too. I started it up after I checked the amps and had my wife slowly rev it up as I stood by the exhaust the rate of output didnt go up but it smelled like it was too gassy. Not a word, but like when you flood the engine and it would run for the first time but still have all that gas to burn off. Cause after she reved it up it slowly died again. Am I reaching? If not, how do I tell if it is my problem?
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Is the check engine light on? Is the truck drivable? How long will it run for?
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
PORTHOS1
  • MEMBER
  • 49 POSTS
It will run for a few minutes then start to die then come back to life. It has even gone down to barely idle and came back up some. Then it dies. No check engine light on when it does die. I just towed it to a repair shop. That mechanic said he had seen a couple of suburban tahoes having bad fuel sensors. I have know idea what that does.
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
These computer sensors can get real sophisticated. There are several sensors in engine that use a 5 volt reference like the tps, map sensor and fuel tank pressure sensor and if one sensor reads whacky it can bring the 5 volt reference down for the other sensors and cause all sorts of conditions. Let us know how you make out.
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 4:05 PM

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