Jump to content

Sudden engine shut off

MCG5

By MCG5
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

 Share

Recommended Posts

MCG5 New Member

MCG5

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

ftwhite

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

Spurshot

Posted
Posted (edited)

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 by Spurshot
adamj2121 Enthusiast

adamj2121

Posted
Posted

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 New Member

MCG5

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

Colossus

Posted
Posted

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

adamj2121 Enthusiast

adamj2121

Posted
Posted
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.

  • 2 years later...
Ricardo09 New Member

Ricardo09

Posted
Posted

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 

  • 7 months later...
Sewie New Member

Sewie

Posted
Posted
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

  • 3 weeks later...
Jordan29 New Member

Jordan29

Posted
Posted

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) Enthusiast

jagabom (Esquire)

Posted
Posted

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

  • Confused 1
  • 1 year later...
Taylor Wells New Member

Taylor Wells

Posted
Posted
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 New Member

Taylor Wells

Posted
Posted
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? 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • asilverblazer
      Cold start Miss, oil in cylinder

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      Can you sample the pooled liquid, enough to confirm it is oil?   ...That its not fuel or coolant.   Also, make sure combustion gases aren't entering the cooling system.   Simply put, either oil being pushed up past the rings (this really isn't possible), oil leaking past the head gasket, oil leaking past the valve, oil entering through the intake air path. If none of this is likely - it may not be oil.   What could be likely is the fuel injector leaking down. A puddle of gas would still smoke and rough idle.    What is the crank time first thing in the morning, when the puddle would be present? Does it seem like the high pressure fuel pump needs an extra second or two to rebuild the pressure that injector 8 may have let bleed off? Check the fuel pressure via a scanner prior to starting the engine.    
    • Donstar
      Navigating senior years.

      By Donstar · Posted

      Good information!  I didn't know about the dementia aspect and asked for a general for my second knee. I'd heard that recovery room time is usually shorter with a general.   The anesthesiologist talked me out of it and I had the spinal.  Inconvenience and/or discomfort is a small price to pay for reduced risk!
    • garagerog
      Navigating senior years.

      By garagerog · Posted

      This is for those over 70 years of age contemplating joint replacement surgery involving general anesthesia. Even some 55 yrs. ago when I took my pharmacology class the dangers of developing dementia in the elderly that had general anesthesia were beginning to be recognized. Over the years there has been some refinement in the cautionary warnings, avoid general anesthesia if possible if you've had close to 10 priors, especially over the age of 70 and/or a family history of dementia. I'm not including the twilight anesthesia induced by propofol often used in cytoscopies or colonscopies. Seriously think about seeing a neurologist and undergo cognitive testing before proceeding if any of those criteria apply to you. Spinal anesthesia may be an option in some cases. I'm in the above camp and although I could use a new right knee, I get fidgety according to a prior orthopedic surgeon when the bone saw spools up or maybe it was the smell of saw blade meeting bone, anyhow I may have one general anesthesia left in me which I will pocket for now and I'm choosing mind over mobility, anyway where did I leave my damn cane!
    • GMCustomerService
      July 2026 upgrade push issues

      By GMCustomerService · Posted

      We understand your frustrations with your auto start/stop, fuel gauge and cruise control concerns since your latest update, @LarT-26. You mentioned getting repairs completed, however, have your concerns been resolved? If not, we would like to learn more so we may explore the best path of assistance moving forward alongside your local dealership. When you have a moment, please visit: https://s.gmc.com/support-request and complete the request form with all pertinent details. This will help us to better understand your concern and ensure that it is routed correctly. We will keep an eye out for your outreach.
    • GMCustomerService
      Multigate electrical problem

      By GMCustomerService · Posted

      We understand your frustrations with being unable to open your Sierra’s top inner tailgate, @smitty81503. Your concerns are frustrating, and we would like the opportunity to explore the best path of assistance to pursue their resolutions. There are many different factors that could be the root cause of vehicle concerns, and we handle each one on a case-by-case basis. When you have a moment, please visit: https://s.gmc.com/support-request and complete the request form with all pertinent details. This will help us to better understand your concern and ensure that it is routed correctly. We will keep an eye out for your outreach.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...