Intermittent Starting

[jhopkins]

Hello everyone, I have a 2011 Sierra with a 5.3 - 50,000 miles and it is intermittently starting. I know this is a common problem with these trucks and I have read about replacing starters, remotes and spending crazy amounts of money to no avail. I have also heard of the shake the truck cure, the depressing the parking brake cure, keep turning the key and on and on .... Does anyone know what is really going on? Today was the second time it would not start. Here is what i noticed today. First it started fine at about -15 this morning and I drove to work. When I got to work someone told me my backup lights were on. Given I had to much to do at work I disconnected the battery and returned hours later and reconnected the battery. Same problem with the backup lights staying on but now the truck won't start, turn the key and everything but the starter works. After doing some of the cures outlined above I turned the shift knob from 'auto' to 4 x4 high - turn key, nothing but then I turned it to 2 wheel drive and eurika! It starts but the backup lights are still on. I drove home about 30 miles cursing the truck and then I find the backup lights have gone out, the truck starts under various settings ...no problem everything is cool .... until the next time .... any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to get stuck given it will get to -30 here over Chistmas.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Given the reverse lights being on, I would check the adjustment of the transmission range sensor. Sounds like the truck thinks you are in reverse when trying to start.

[jhopkins]

i will check that out tomorrow. I have another update .... when i got home tonight the reverse lights were out when i turned off the truck. About 2 1/2 hours later I look and the reverse lights are on again.... I can turn them off by turning light swithch all the way to the left. where is the transmission range sensor? Is it on the transmission itself? I will find a manual tomorrow.

[Chris]

I will be moving to Fullsize Truck & SUV

[desrtrat]

IMO- make a shopping list of all of your issues, and take to a dealer for warranty work..

 

good lock

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

+1 on warranty work if still under warranty.

[GMCustomerService]

jhopkins,

I would also have to recommend contacting your local dealer for more assistance. Keep me posted and feel free to let me know if you need additional assistance. Thank you.

 

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

[Spurshot]

Give the dealer 2 times to fix it, file a lemon claim with BBB and get your money back. They'll demand a third chance. Give it to em.

 

Don't f#(k around with them. They'll drag this on and on. Trust me. I've been there with Chevrolet. They ended up buying my 98 truck back for a full refund after a year and 4 visits to the dealer on a problem they never fixed.

[jhopkins]

well it is -30 but I have the manual. xmas eve and the truck is acting up... pretty crappy for a 2011 truck but I guess that is the way she goes. I have close to $80k in fairly new GM products and I really do not feel very comfortable at all. Now I understand why they pushed so hard to buy the extented warranty and right about now I wish I had purchased the extension but I did not. Well i may have no choice but to take it to the dealership.

['01LS1]

Hope the dealership can get it fixed under warranty. As far as extended warranties, have heard more stories about what they have not covered than have.