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My engine is hard to start?

Tiny
JESSICADABOMB
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
I changed injectors, fuel pump, crankshaft, now my truck is hard to start and when it does it shuts off within ten seconds and will not restart.
Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM

42 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like it could be a problem with your fuel filter. When the fuel filter on your vehicle gets plugged, or is getting plugged, it doesn't let all the fuel that it should pass through it. Your vehicle would be hard starting and shut off, no matter how much you press down on the gas pedal. I have included a link for you to go to below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-a-fuel-filter

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

However, on your vehicle, the fuel pump is an integral part of your vehicle's fuel pump control assembly and located in the fuel tank, so let's double check and make sure that is fuel pressure. I have included the proper fuel pressure for your vehicle in the diagrams down below. You can usually rent a fuel pressure gauge for checking your vehicle's fuel pressure at your local auto parts store. Please check your vehicle's fuel pressure and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
JESSICADABOMB
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It has 40 psi. My dash shows a message of service stablitrak, traction control, and says engine power reduced.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Stabilitrak on your vehicle is highly complex and you need to have a Chevrolet Factory Scan Tool to fix. But when researching this for your vehicle I did come across this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for this problem. The issue has more than likely caused your vehicle to go into "limp mode". Limp mode is designed to make your vehicle driveable just enough to get it to a repair shop. Once whatever is causing the vehicle to go into limp mode is fixed, it should reset itself. Please go through this TSB, in the diagrams down below, and get back to us what what you can do with it.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
JESSICADABOMB
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am not able to get truck to run let alone drive it. When it does start I'm not able to give it any gas I can almost floor the gas pedal but the vehicle does nothing.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Is your Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or "check engine" light illuminated? If it is could you pull the Direct Trouble Code (DTC) for us. You will need a code reader to do this and I have included a link below if you are unfamiliar with how to do this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please go through the guide, if needed, and get back to us with any DTC(s) that are present.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
JMONTALVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40 MILES
Truck turns on fine in the morning, but I park it for 30 minutes then it cranks cranks then it starts. Has a new precision pump pr#A44006, my gas gauge goes up only 1/4. Acted up after tech installed pump. It has new spark plugs and cables. Checked all air intake and everything is okay. Have scanned all information but no codes. We have checked cam and crank sensors but they are good. Any ideas!
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Long cranking is normally a fuel issue. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that new parts are not good parts. If this started after the pump then we need to prove out a pressure issue. I would start with getting the fuel pressure when this is happening

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

When you just turn the key on and do not crank the engine the pressure should be a minimum of 55 PSI. Another way to help prove the pump is to turn the key on so the pump primes, then turn it off and back on a couple times when this happens and see if it starts the truck. If it does then basically this is showing that the pump is not priming properly on the first key cycle.

Let us know what you find. Thanks
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JMONTALVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I primed the key a couple of times and it does the same thing. Crank crank crank and then it starts and then I can smell a lot of rich gas. Odd parts is if I let truck seat for 4 hours it will start right away. When it is in a 40 minutes to 2 hour frame it does the long crank. Pressure gauge with truck on is like 55 to 60 but when it is turned off it goes to 30.
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. A crank sensor will cause a long crank as well so how did you check it? Did you monitor the pattern with a lab scope? The long crank is a result of the ECM not having the crank signal and once it learns the engine position from the cam sensor it will start. So after it sits and the crank cools down it sends the signal.

Let me know if you just checked voltage or checked the pattern?
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JMONTALVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
My truck was checked with a scanner, which tech said that crank and camshaft sensors were good.
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JMONTALVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Truck in morning turns right away and if I turn off and crank it up it will start right away. But if I leave it for 45 minutes to 2 hours then it does the long crank. So if you say that the crank shaft is trying to learn the position, how come it turns right away in the morning? That's the weird part.
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAZAM29
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Hard to start at times and seems to have gotten worse. I take off the resonator from the throttle body and it starts most the time when I do that, but I have to hurry up and put it back on before it shuts off.
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sorry if I wasn't clear. When the crank sensor gets hot it can fail. When it fails it will cause a long crank until the ECM learns the engine position through the cam sensor. It starts in the morning with no issue because the crank sensor is not hot yet.

This may not be the issue but based on what you are describing, this is the most likely cause.
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+1
Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I would start by checking the fuel pressure. Low fuel pressure will cause this issue from a possible weak fuel pump.You can rent a tester at a parts store for this test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Is the check engine light on showing any codes?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Roy
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JMONTALVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay, will check it out.
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JMONTALVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks.
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 830,000 MILES
2003 silverado excessive cranking to start at times. 5.3 engine reguler fuel. Fuel pressure 55lbs.A little low.I have replaced fuel regulator due to leaking and also installed check valve in line near fuel tank. But still cranks excessive at times. Shouldn`t check valve hold the pressure for starting? What could be the problem? Thanks Jerry
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sounds like you need to replace the fuel pump -check valve
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Also go to this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Thanks rasmataz how can I e-mail you I do know there is a check valve in the fuel pump but the one I installed inline should hold the pressure up shouldn`t it? Thanks
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Monday, January 25th, 2021 AT 11:46 AM (Merged)

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