2002 2500HD Engin Cutting Out then Not Starting -Help

ugeesta · August 9, 2015

It's the strangest thing and it started about 4 months ago. There are times I will go to start the truck and it it will turn over but not start. Sounds like the plugs are not firing. So, I take the key out of the ignition then put it back in and it will start up.

Then, one day I was driving the truck to work and I was braking for a light and the engine cut out. All the lights worked. Same thing, took the key out of the ignition, put it back in and it started up. Had the battery replaced as it was 7 years old and thought things were fine. The dealer did a diagnostic on the truck and it did not show any problems.

Fast forward a couple months and my wife starts driving the truck. The same things start happening to her.

I saw a video on YouTube that said the problem is in the plug on top of the key cylinder. It gets loose and the security module shuts down the truck. The trick to fix it was to wedge a plastic toothpick into the socket to tighten it up. So, I did that this morning.

This afternoon we were driving the truck and I was slowing down for a stop light again and as we went over the RR tracks before the light, the engine cut out again. It took a couple minutes before the truck would start again.

I'm stumped on what is going on.

When the engine cut out, the battery light came on but we never lost power to anything. The starter turned just fine.

Now, I have not checked for loose wires yet. Not sure where to start.

Thanks.

BTW: the truck has 67,000 miles and is all original except for plugs, wires and fluids.

davester · August 9, 2015

could it be an iffy fuel pump/fuel pump wiring/relay?

Grumpy Tooch · August 9, 2015

Maybe its the ignition switch itself.

00Silverado4x4 · August 10, 2015

could it be an iffy fuel pump/fuel pump wiring/relay?

This is my first thought. Check all wiring and connections. Also have the fuel pressure checked.

servantsalesmen · August 10, 2015

My inclination is something related to the ignition system. If it were fuel pump, you would have more issues with running rough and a dying fuel pump would not have lasted 4 months in bad condition. 8t would have already given up. But still, do the pressure test. I'd take it to a good mechanic who knows how to properly diagnose electrical problems. Pay for an hour or two of diag time and have him check all the ignition circuits.

ugeesta · August 11, 2015

I would agree it's more electronic than the fuel pump. It's just odd how it cuts out and then starts up a few minutes later like there is nothing wrong. Today it worked fine.

servantsalesmen · August 12, 2015

Perhaps it's a cam or crank position sensor? Do a pressure test for fuel though, it certainly won't hurt.

Whiteduramax · August 12, 2015

Just sold this exact truck 1 month ago and replaced with a 2015 GMC Denali. Sold the truck to a good friend who called 2 days after picking it up and said he started his truck to cool down the interior and got out and took 5 steps and it died. Called and asked me if I ever had that problem to which I replied no.

Anyhow some dude happens to walk up and ask if he can help and my friend told him what it did and he asked if he had checked the fluid levels. I heard this over the phone and told my friend to get rid of this guy he has no idea. Anyhow after hanging up my friend calls back in 10 minutes and said he added 24 ounces of water to the reservoir and the truck started right up and ran fine. Dude said there was a safety switch that would not allow the truck to run if low on coolant. Never heard of that in the 13 years of owning the truck.

Stopped by the other day to see my old truck and my buddy indicated he was so happy with it. Of course he is, It was an 02 with only 100k miles on it. Pristine condition. Sold it for 15k, should have asked for more. Paid 60k for the new one....yikes.

ugeesta · August 15, 2015

Sitting at a stop light this morning the truck just cut out. Tried to start it twice with no luck. Put the flashers on, waived the people around me, waited a minute then started it right up like nothing was wrong.

ugeesta · August 18, 2015

Another new one. My wife was driving the truck last night and the truck stalled while decelerating and moving around 30mph. She said she pumped the gas several times and the engine kicked in. Now I'm wondering if it is fuel pump\wiring related.

ugeesta · September 2, 2015

The dealer has had the truck for two weeks now and can't find anything wrong. The fuel pressure is fine, no codes, nothin. The put 160 miles on the truck and it only surged on them once. I'm sure as soon as we get it back it will stall on us.

ugeesta · September 20, 2015

Perhaps it's a cam or crank position sensor?

Looks like this may be the culprit. I had the dealer replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor and the truck has been running fine since. It cost about $500 but that is better than buying a new truck.