Cold start stalls?

Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 GMC SIERRA
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 307,000 MILES
This only happens when it's really cold outside. Truck cranks fine. I let it idle to get it warmed up. It ended up shutting off after a few minutes. At that moment, the battery is too drained to crank back. Not even a click. I have to boost it for a good while. Then it will crank again, and the same thing will happen. It's only when it's cold outside. When it's not cold, there are no issues at all. I have tested the battery and alternator at AutoZone. They both check out fine. I got another battery anyway. It still does it. Any ideas? Thanks!
Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 AT 8:57 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
Hi,

Have you made sure the battery terminals are clean, tight, and free of corrosion? If there is a poor connection, it can cause this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Next, take a look at this link. It explains things to check if the battery fails overnight.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Let me know if this helps. Also, make sure to check the connections at the battery. That is a common cause.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 205 POSTS
Great! I'll check it out. Also, I forgot to mention that the terminals are side posts but appear to be good and tight and I also have my Amp remote wire ring terminal attached and it's tight too. Never had issues. What about the other ends of the terminal wires, where are they located? I assume the hot is going to the starter and ground is going to frame somewhere? If so, where at on frame is ground located or will bad connection here even cause this issue?
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
Hi,

I attached two pics below to help. Pic 1 is related to the positive battery terminal. And, yes, you are correct, one of the connectors goes to the starter, and another goes to the under-hood fuse box.

Pic 2 is the ground distribution from the battery. You have one at the left front of the engine and the other runs to the radiator support.

Let me know if this helps and what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 AT 8:03 PM

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