2014 Sierra sle 5.3l 2x4 having problems turning on

Ruben Trevino · April 3, 2015

It has been doing it a lot more frequently lately, it is kinda like it is stalling or hesitating or loosing contact whe I turn on my truck, this happens even when it isn't a cold start, it spuders and yesterday I turned my truck off for about 10 minutes m when I went to turn it back on it did it again but only this time there was like a pop sound. Took it to the dealership this morning and made them treat it as a priority but they said they could not replicate the issue. I asked them what exactly they did to check n the dumbass "certified GM technician" said all he checked was the battery. I told h off because they wasted my time, and I asked why they didn't test the alternator ignition coil relay or spark plugs. He said oh it's cuz the new models have different fuel injectors. What a crock of shit!!! Does anybody out here know what might be the cause for this issue??? Thanx

BOOMER119 · April 3, 2015

Sounds like a tank of crappy gas ... Did you fill up recently? Maybe try some dry gas or top off with premium and see what happens?

Doug_Scott · April 3, 2015

I think you will have better luck if you actually describe what you are experiencing. Reading your post does not tell me anything usable to help diagnose your issue.

I would not know where to even look to test the "alternator ignition coil relay". If you are having any issues with ignition system, or fuel injection system, it will generate a code that can be retrieved by a scan tool. As for the reply from the dealership "the new models have different fuel injectors", he is correct. The 2014 5.3 engine is direct injection. This means the fuel injection is not into the port, it is direct into the cylinder. Completely different technology. It is not "a crock of shit".

Your best bet is to actually describe what is happening, using words that accurately describe what is going on. "stalling or hesitating or loosing contact whe I turn on my truck" does not even make sense. Try describing what happens in the order it happens. "Turn on my truck" does not mean start the engine in my world, it means turn the key to the On position.

Adding premium fuel will not help the issue. Premium fuel is actually harder to ignite and will not make an engine that is not designed to use premium start easier. You may have a fuel issue, try using a tank or two of regular fuel from a top tier station. Most brand name stations are top tier. You can find a list of top tier stations easily with google.

BOOMER119 · April 3, 2015

Sounds like a tank of crappy gas ... Did you fill up recently? Maybe try some dry gas or top off with premium and see what happens?

Apologies ... Didn't realize this was in the "Ask Tech" section as I accessed from "New Topics" on my cell phone.

Please note, I am not a GM tech.

Again, my apologies.

gmtech4 · April 4, 2015

Apologies ... Didn't realize this was in the "Ask Tech" section as I accessed from "New Topics" on my cell phone.

Please note, I am not a GM tech.

Again, my apologies.

dont worry about it ,only a few here anyways ,im retired from gm for 7 yrs

this forum was for 1 gm tech back when the site was started i beleive ,i may be wrong but reading the stickys suggests that to me anyways

I think you will have better luck if you actually describe what you are experiencing. Reading your post does not tell me anything usable to help diagnose your issue.

I would not know where to even look to test the "alternator ignition coil relay". If you are having any issues with ignition system, or fuel injection system, it will generate a code that can be retrieved by a scan tool. As for the reply from the dealership "the new models have different fuel injectors", he is correct. The 2014 5.3 engine is direct injection. This means the fuel injection is not into the port, it is direct into the cylinder. Completely different technology. It is not "a crock of shit".

Your best bet is to actually describe what is happening, using words that accurately describe what is going on. "stalling or hesitating or loosing contact whe I turn on my truck" does not even make sense. Try describing what happens in the order it happens. "Turn on my truck" does not mean start the engine in my world, it means turn the key to the On position.

Adding premium fuel will not help the issue. Premium fuel is actually harder to ignite and will not make an engine that is not designed to use premium start easier. You may have a fuel issue, try using a tank or two of regular fuel from a top tier station. Most brand name stations are top tier. You can find a list of top tier stations easily with google.

ive never heard you get this way with an OP ,,,,careful,they may report you then the warning points ,then the suspensions lmao !!!!

i couldnt read his whole thing as HE HAS WARRANTY ,so i zone out and read replies only lol

It has been doing it a lot more frequently lately, it is kinda like it is stalling or hesitating or loosing contact whe I turn on my truck, this happens even when it isn't a cold start, it spuders and yesterday I turned my truck off for about 10 minutes m when I went to turn it back on it did it again but only this time there was like a pop sound. Took it to the dealership this morning and made them treat it as a priority but they said they could not replicate the issue. I asked them what exactly they did to check n the dumbass "certified GM technician" said all he checked was the battery. I told h off because they wasted my time, and I asked why they didn't test the alternator ignition coil relay or spark plugs. He said oh it's cuz the new models have different fuel injectors. What a crock of shit!!! Does anybody out here know what might be the cause for this issue??? Thanx

OP,make another appointment ,loose the attitude,go for a road test with the shop forman and decribe whats going on ,,,

dont wreck your relationship with your dealer ,,,,never rip a tech a new one because you told the advisor the wrong thing ,,,,,,,,its NOT HIS FAULT !!!

have a good evening

Ruben Trevino · April 4, 2015

Gasoline used shouldn't be an issue because I have been going to same place every single time I fill up since I purchased my truck about a year and two months ago, this started happening about a month ago. any real mechanic with actual experience would be able to narrow it down to at least 3-5 possible causes for the malfunction to occur based on the description that I gave. Either the starter motor, solenoid, ignition wire set, egr valve or the fuel pump. I really don't care if I burn a bridge with them because they always have an excuse for not finding solutions for a loyal customer, I am done with that place. I have plenty of other options that are way more professional and devoted than the folks at "South Texas Buick GMC" of McAllen Tx. It has come out of at least three of the consultants mouths that their main focus is to generate more sales to create man hours for their commission and not customer service.

Duelin · April 4, 2015

If you knew ahead of time that the dealer had that kind of reputation why did you waste your time going there. You should have known before you went. Why didn't you exercise the other options that you spoke of. This is not in the defense of the tech or any other tech as far as that goes. But any amount of time that a tech spends on a vehicle that is under warranty. In which he can not duplicate the problem and fix it he doesn't get paid for the amount of time he spent on that vehicle. And I am sure you would have the same attitude as the techs do which is (I don't want to work and not get paid for it.) In the dealership world they call that Flat Rape. Not Flat Rate.

Now if you are not satisfied whith your service. Call General Motors customer service and file a Formal Compliant and start a history on your vehicle. That way everything is documented. General Motors will contact the dealer and see what the problem is. And contact you to advise you of what action they want to take.

Now this is for you or anyone else that might have what they call a self induced problems. Such as bad gas, installed aftermarket accessories and etc. that may create a problem. These problems will not be covered under warranty. It depends on the dealer. Some of the good ones will work with the customer and get it covered.

I just ran into this with my sister. She called and said her car ( 2010 Buick Enclave) just got towed into the dealer. And it was going to cost over a thousand dollars. The car was out of warrant miles wise and time wise. And she wondered if there was anything I could do to help. Any way a long story short. When I worked For General Motors and for some time after I retired. All I would have to do is make a call to Central Office and everything would be taken care of at no cost. Well those days are long gone. All the contacts that I had have either retired or died. Any way I called her dealership and spoke with the manager and explained who I was and and the fact that the car only had a little over 36000 miles on it and anything and everything as far as service and etc. was done by the dealer. Any way the manage said he would do what he could but wouldn't promise anything. Well he called back and said General Motors was going to Pay between $800 and $900 dollars. My sister ended up paying $700 which include an oil change and a couple of other things.

So it is a good practice to find a good dealer and have a good rapport with them. It is to your advantage and benefit.

Doug_Scott · April 4, 2015

ive never heard you get this way with an OP ,,,,careful,they may report you then the warning points ,then the suspensions lmao !!!!

i couldnt read his whole thing as HE HAS WARRANTY ,so i zone out and read replies only lol

After reading your reply yesterday I thought that maybe I had over reacted. There was just something about that first post that did not look right. I decided to give it a day before replying. After reading his posts since then I think I got it right in my initial reply.

Apologies ... Didn't realize this was in the "Ask Tech" section as I accessed from "New Topics" on my cell phone.

Please note, I am not a GM tech.

Again, my apologies.

Not sure who you were replying to, but, you did not say or do anything to apologize for. If this reply was meant for me, the only reason I mentioned the premium fuel as not being the way to go was simply because there is a big misunderstanding what "premium" fuel actually is. Personally, I think fuel companies should not allowed to call any fuel "premium" or "super". Vast majority of people think "premium" means better. When used with the word fuel it does not mean better.

BOOMER119 · April 4, 2015

After reading your reply yesterday I thought that maybe I had over reacted. There was just something about that first post that did not look right. I decided to give it a day before replying. After reading his posts since then I think I got it right in my initial reply.

Agreed!!!!

Not sure who you were replying to, but, you did not say or do anything to apologize for. If this reply was meant for me, the only reason I mentioned the premium fuel as not being the way to go was simply because there is a big misunderstanding what "premium" fuel actually is. Personally, I think fuel companies should not allowed to call any fuel "premium" or "super". Vast majority of people think "premium" means better. When used with the word fuel it does not mean better.

Just an apology in general for possibly speaking out of turn. I'm relatively new to the forum and still learning the "rules." Wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping on any toes since I'm not really a GM tech.

However, I have been working on all things mechanical my entire life (I'm almost 50) and was trying to be helpful.

All that being said, it appears to me that OP has some issues that go beyond the scope of help he can get within the forum. Either with his truck or otherwise.