Fuel System Fault?

maxxman935 · August 10, 2014

Has any one had an issue with their truck stalling an not firing back up?

Three weeks ago I took delivery of a 2014 1500 Sierra Denali with the 5.3 and this happened to me yesterday. I had to get it towed to a dealership service center where it still sits waiting for Monday morning when the techs get back in.

I was leaving work going about 15mph with a full tank of gas and the engine just shut itself off and would not fire back up. It cranks, but is not getting signal or something to turn the fuel pumps on as they don't chime in with their signature buzz when the key is turned.

I tried several different things to try and get the system to restart to maybe get me going to limp home, but none of them worked. Pumped the gas pedal 5-10 times with the key on, disconnected the battery for a short period of time, checked the fuses, tried knocking in a hard manner on the gas tank, and opened and closed the fuel cap.

On top of it all, the thing only has 1330 miles on it....

Any words of wisdom for what I should expect the dealership to try and sell me on?

LeoS41280 · August 10, 2014

Don' t worry about it. The dealer will fix it.

Doug_Scott · August 10, 2014

Nothing for the dealer to sell you on. It may be nothing more than a defective fuel pump, or maybe even a defective relay. Defective electrical components generally fail in the beginning of their life.

Not sure why you would try pumping the gas pedal, it is not even a real gas pedal that acts directly on the throttle plates. It is just a rheostat, much like the dash light dimmer switch.

Something you could have tried at the time was to swap the relay out for one of the others. The relays in the fuse panel all tend to be the same type, and are interchangeable. Provided you do not take one of the other relays that is needed for the engine to run.

chuckl1218 · August 10, 2014

Any error messages? Some early builds had issues with keys not working properly, but I believe they wouldn't crank at all. All of the other issues I remember were related to no power at all. Sorry...

pm26 · August 10, 2014

Your Chinese made fuel pump or fuel pump relay reached the end of their useful life.

maxxman935 · August 11, 2014

Thanks for the replies.

Before I bought this truck I had a 2002 Suburban, and when I would change the oil, pumping the gas pedal would reset the "Change Oil" message. I was just rying what I knew might work for anything. Swapping relays would have been a good thing to try.

Again, thanks for the replies, and hopefully I will be able to get my truck back Monday evening.

maxxman935 · August 12, 2014

Well, the dealership service center said it is not the fuel system or relays and that they really have no clue whats wrong with the truck. Kind of glad to hear that since, according to the GMC website, nothing in the fuel system is covered by the warranty. The dealership did at least give me a smelly loaner truck so I can get to and from work (staying positive).

I'll keep this updated as the debacle progresses.

maxxman935 · August 12, 2014

Got word today that they think the problem is internal to the engine. They plan on checking the timing chains tomorrow. This does little to build confidence in my beautiful new truck.

14SLTZ71 · August 12, 2014

Got word today that they think the problem is internal to the engine. They plan on checking the timing chains tomorrow. This does little to build confidence in my beautiful new truck.

Maybe they will let you do a buy back or choose another one from the lot? I hope it all works out.

maxxman935 · August 12, 2014

That would be nice, unfortunately I live 200 miles from the dealership I bought it at. I have some thinking to do and some converations to have with my local dealership (where the truck is) and the one I received it from. If anyone has some insight on how any of that would go down it would be much appreciated. This is the first new vehicle I have ever bought and I don't really know what to do.

pm26 · August 12, 2014

Well, the dealership service center said it is not the fuel system or relays and that they really have no clue whats wrong with the truck. Kind of glad to hear that since, according to the GMC website, nothing in the fuel system is covered by the warranty. The dealership did at least give me a smelly loaner truck so I can get to and from work (staying positive).

I'll keep this updated as the debacle progresses.

If your truck has less than 36k miles, your truck is covered by bumper to bumper warranty which covers the fuel system components. The only exception would be if that could prove that you used bad fuel that damaged the fuel system.

What you read on the GMC website most likely refers to the coverage under the 5 year/100k miles powertrain warranty, which most likely does not cover fuel system components. However, the basic 3 year/36k miles warranty dovers everything. So do not let them push you around.

Why are they going to isnpect the timing chain? this makes little sense. if the chain was a tooth or so off it would have shown in rough idle and poor performance. I have seen a case with an older (mid 1970's) carburaated Chevy truck where the truck would start and idle OK, but the minute it was put into drive, it would stall. The culprit was a badly stretched timing chain. But this does not look like a problem in your case.

14SLTZ71 · August 12, 2014

That would be nice, unfortunately I live 200 miles from the dealership I bought it at. I have some thinking to do and some converations to have with my local dealership (where the truck is) and the one I received it from. If anyone has some insight on how any of that would go down it would be much appreciated. This is the first new vehicle I have ever bought and I don't really know what to do.

If they actually end up going into the motor to make a repair or troubleshoot you should call GM or go to this website and chat live with a representative.

Tell them how you feel about the engine on your brand new truck being torn apart and that you were expecting more from a GM product. Ask them to open a case file and also ask about the buy back program.

Explain to them that this is your first new vehicle and you chose GM because of their reputation and its not turning out to be what you expected.

Just let them know how you feel and maybe they will feel obliged to help.

Mailing Address

General Motors Company

P.O.Box 33170

Detroit, MI 48232-5170

Customer Assistance Centers:

Chevrolet: 800-222-1020

GMC: 800-462-8782

http://www.gm.com/toolbar/contactUs.html

2strokesmoke · August 13, 2014

Wow, talk to your dealer of purchase. Insist if the engine is faulty you want a replacement new truck no questions asked or you will be opening a resolution ticket.

Document everything....!

Hope it is a sensor or coupler fail.

maxxman935 · August 13, 2014

Thanks to all of you who responded.

Got my truck back today. They spoke with the GM engineers before taking my engine apart and were told to replace the camshaft actuator solenoid.

What had happened was the solenoid got stuck in the full retard position. This makes sense given the engine was getting fuel and spark but no combustion. They replaced the solenoid, and vois la, the engine started and ran as it should.

Since the part is mounted externally on the block, I took back ownership of the truck. I am elated to have it in good condition once again.

Thanks again for responding and giving your input. Happy driving.