2000 Tahoe starts then dies when cold

[Vkiester]

So for my first cold start it will start then die. I give it a little gas and start it while holding the gas down around 1500 rpm and it stays running. If I hold it for about a minute or two until the motor warms up I can let it go back down to idle and it’s fine after that. After the motor is warm I can turn it off and it starts back up fine. But when the motor gets cold again I have the same issue. Didn’t have any issues during the summer and fall but now that it’s getting cold this started. Any ideas???

[Sharpz]

a few things you can do.  clean your throttle body, and also clean your maf sensor.  Before doing so remove the positive terminal on your battery. Make sure that terminal is disconnected till after the work is done.  Sometimes just disconnecting the terminal for 15 minutes will resolve this cold start issue.

[It's Tim]

1 hour ago, Vkiester said:

 Any ideas???

Scan for stored codes before you do anything else.

[Supreme Pizza]

I agree with both of the previous replies. If those things do not solve the problem, then I would go over the basics. Look for vacuum leaks, check the spark plugs and air filter, run some injector cleaner, etc.

 

If you don't want to work on the vehicle and just want the symptoms to go away, you could install and inline block heater.

 

It would keep the engine warm as long as you plug it in every night. I have attached a link, but i did not verify its compatibility with your vehicle.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Zerostart-3200003-Radiator-Heater-Approved/dp/B0065V4MLG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=coolant%2Bheater&qid=1639512411&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyR0NXS0tCOFlKODdZJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjcxNDI4MU9VOUgzUjdNUFVRNSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzYxMTgwT0lEUTlERTJaQTZFJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

[Supreme Pizza]

These are another option. I have glued them to oil pans, and they work pretty good.

 

Obviously using heaters is not the best solution to you problem, but they are an option to consider.

 

Here is the link:

 

https://www.amazon.com/2-Pack-Silicone-Engine-Heater-Self-Adhesive/dp/B098TFF39H/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=block+heater&qid=1639513033&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE1NkZUMEtGOTVMUUomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NzU5MDkySk1ENllXN0VYTDZCJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNzI5NDExUVpaSUU2Rko4UkE4JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[richard wysong]

I agree with Sharpz  & Tim but also check and clean the  IAC valve. if you have a scan tool that does data stream you should see the counts drop as it warms up and you should be able  hear the rpms come down as the counts drop

[Matt Riley]

I chased a similar problem in my 2000 Sierra 1500 a few years ago (idled rough...but got better as it warmed up) that turned out to be the fuel pressure regulator. 

 Cheap easy fix. 

[Vkiester]

On 12/14/2021 at 11:25 PM, richard wysong said:

I agree with Sharpz  & Tim but also check and clean the  IAC valve. if you have a scan tool that does data stream you should see the counts drop as it warms up and you should be able  hear the rpms come down as the counts drop

Thanks a ton. The center piece of it was popped way out and it was pretty dirty. Cleaned it and was able to turn the center piece and it screwed back down and the problem went away. Probably needs to be replaced but it at least fixed the problem. 

[richard wysong]

you're welcome, glad it worked for you. thanx for letting us know the results

[Sharpz]

 I am not sure why the IAC valve would only act up when it was cold, but glad you're not having the issue anymore.

[Vkiester]

It seems like it was having the issue the whole time but it got worse when it was cold. It was 75 here the other day and it started without dying but the idle was a bit rough. I also noticed it would fluctuate and randomly go up to 800 rpm then back down to 300 rpm before leveling out around 600. It would do it sporadically as well. I’m just glad it works now