Sudden engine shut off

[MCG5]

I have a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab.  A few times my engine would suddenly shut off while driving.  Luckily when the times it did shut off I was in a safe place, parking lot and in front of my house. When it shuts off all electrical goes out.  It remains off for about an hour than starts back up like nothing happen.  The last time it shut off I got a warning message stating my stabiliTrack was malfunctioning. Shortly after my truck completely shuts down.  The engine light doesn't even have a chance to come on.

Does anyone know or have an idea of what can cause something like this?  I've taken it to the dealer and they couldn't find any issues.  I need some help!

[ftwhite]

I had a 2012 Suburban where most/all electrical would randomly shut off and turn back on. Happened parked, at freeway speeds, and everything in between. It didn't shut off the engine though, but you did loose all electrical assist, Stabilitrac warnings, and transmission (electric). What would happen after is, once you manually shut off the engine, it wouldn't restart. To get it restarted, you had to wait, or "short" the negative terminal of the battery to the body (it would spark like a build up charge being released). After multiple (5+) failed attempts to diagnose and fix at the dealer, I convinced the service guy to replace the battery cables, and offered to pay if it didn't solve the problem. They found significant corrosion where the negative cable attached to the engine (and/or body), and replace under warentee. Problem never reappeared. Hope that helps.  

[Spurshot]

I second Tom's suggestion above.  When electrical gremlins start appearing, check the grounds.  And the only quantitative way to check them is with a voltmeter, checking resistance across the connections/cables. 

 

If you still don't solve it, get a dashcam and mount it where you can see the instruments (tach, oil pressure, etc., and outside the vehicle. 

This way you can document the occurrences.  You may end up needing documentation/evidence if the dealer(s) can't find or fix it and GM won't help.

 

This is a safety issue.  Imagine if it quit when you were driving across a desolate area in extreme weather or it quit on a bridge or railroad track.  Make sure the dealer understands your concern for safety.

Edited May 31, 2018 by Spurshot

[adamj2121]

Definitely a ground issue.  I had similar problems with my truck, engine didn't shut off but I lost all throttle/steering for a split second and then would regain electrical systems and control.

 

The fix for mine was replacing the negative battery cable and terminal. No major electrical issues since.

[MCG5]

Thanks guys.  I'm going to take all of your advices and have the dealer check my battery cables and most likely replace them both (just in case). 

This is a huge safety concern.  I don't want to be on the 15 fwy heading to Vegas and have this happen.  The speeds on that freeway are quite fast ( average speed is 80 mph).

[Colossus]

Don't expect them to replace them for free if they claim nothing is wrong with them. 

[adamj2121]

17 hours ago, Colossus said:

Don't expect them to replace them for free if they claim nothing is wrong with them. 

This. His truck is also a 2014, so unless it has an extended warranty it wouldn't be covered anyway. Electronics are only covered under the 3/36 warranty, he should still have the driveline warranty but it won't cover any electrical issues, even if they affect the power train.

[Ricardo09]

i have the same problem where my 2016 gmc will like shut off and then turn back on it’ll like down shift to sometimes but lights will go out (All of them inside and out) then say that thing bout my stabilitrac and then also say something bout my 4x4 but first time just did it on the road then the last time i think it was on some bumps y’all think it’s ground?  lights would flash like dim out but check engine never comes on 

[Sewie]

On 7/9/2020 at 10:28 PM, Ricardo09 said:

i have the same problem where my 2016 gmc will like shut off and then turn back on it’ll like down shift to sometimes but lights will go out (All of them inside and out) then say that thing bout my stabilitrac and then also say something bout my 4x4 but first time just did it on the road then the last time i think it was on some bumps y’all think it’s ground?  lights would flash like dim out but check engine never comes on 

Did you get this figured out? I'm having the same issue

[Jordan29]

I have a 2016 GMC Sierra crew cab 1500 doing the same thing to a tee. Did anyone figure out what the issue was. Or was it just a simple ground cable replacement. And was it the ground cable that goes down to the frame from the battery

[jagabom (Esquire)]

My 2014 had a somewhat same problem.  The guy I sold it to said it was a broken wire where they went into the distributor.  He found it by shacking them with the vehicle running.

Jim

[Jordan29]

Not sure what mean distributor? What is the peice your talking about

[Taylor Wells]

On 5/31/2018 at 12:54 PM, MCG5 said:

Thanks guys.  I'm going to take all of your advices and have the dealer check my battery cables and most likely replace them both (just in case). 

This is a huge safety concern.  I don't want to be on the 15 fwy heading to Vegas and have this happen.  The speeds on that freeway are quite fast ( average speed is 80 mph).

Hi there - were you able to figure out the issue? Same thing is happening to us. 

[Taylor Wells]

On 2/23/2021 at 9:18 PM, Sewie said:

Did you get this figured out? I'm having the same issue

Did you get yours figured out Sewie? 

[Taylor Wells]

On 7/9/2020 at 11:28 PM, Ricardo09 said:

i have the same problem where my 2016 gmc will like shut off and then turn back on it’ll like down shift to sometimes but lights will go out (All of them inside and out) then say that thing bout my stabilitrac and then also say something bout my 4x4 but first time just did it on the road then the last time i think it was on some bumps y’all think it’s ground?  lights would flash like dim out but check engine never comes on 

Did you get this figured out and fixed?