Stalling below 1/4 tank

[Sw00p]

Hi Guys!

 

I'm not exactly a noob here, but don't remember my username from back when I had my last truck.

 

I've got an issue with my g/f's Chevy Trailblazer. It's an 03 and it's stalling and going into "reduced power" mode and dying sporadically when below 1/4 tank...closer to an eighth.

 

I was thinking possibly fuel pump or fuel filter. I haven't really looked at it yet. I wanted to get some input from some of you who know WAYYYYY more about this vehicle than I do. The problem always goes away after adding fuel.

 

I have never worked on one of these, but don't think the fuel filter has ever been changed. Is that where I should start?

 

Whatcha think? Any help would be appreciated!

[HighSierraZ-71]

It's happened three times, right at about 1/8 of a tank. Filling it up, without exception, has cured it until it gets down to right around 1/8 of a tank.

 

I really don't know if it applies here....but I do know a few years ago, motorhomes on a Ford chassis with the fuel pump in the tank had problems once the tank got below 1/4 full. The reason was that the fuel pump is cooled by the gasoline in the tank, and when the fuel level got below the pump, the pump would overheat and quit or act up. Once the tank was filled above 1/4, it would work fine. That was a common problem as written up in motorhome magazines.

[chapadeaux]

run the veh until 1/8th tank after stalling check for fuel pressure at the port if no pressure you know youre out of gas and need a fuel module. ( have a can of fuel available to add to the truck after this. the module is notorius for failure and showing to have fuel when empty

[GM-Tech]

I've got an issue with my g/f's Chevy Trailblazer. It's an 03 and it's stalling and going into "reduced power" mode and dying sporadically when below 1/4 tank...closer to an eighth.

 

Reduced power mode usually only kicks in with an electrical failure in the electronic throttle control system. I don't really see what fuel level, fuel pump or fuel filter would have to do with it. It isn't that the system is seeing reduced power, but putting it into a reduced power mode for safety reasons.

 

There should be a code stored in the PCM. Knowing what that is would help.

[Sw00p]

There should be a code stored in the PCM.  Knowing what that is would help.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

But when it dies, it does so sometimes without going into reduced power mode. I guess I'll get the codes pulled then and see what we have. I'll let you know. Thanks.

[GM-Tech]

But when it dies, it does so sometimes without going into reduced power mode. I guess I'll get the codes pulled then and see what we have. I'll let you know. Thanks.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

You certainly could have more than one problem. It wouldn't hurt to change the fuel filter, though if it's plugged, it's plugged all the time, not just when it's below 1/4 of a tank.

[Sw00p]

There should be a code stored in the PCM.  Knowing what that is would help.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

But when it dies, it does so sometimes without going into reduced power mode. I guess I'll get the codes pulled then and see what we have. I'll let you know. Thanks.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Of course, I do wonder why the ONLY time this problem occurs is when the tank is low. It's happened three times, right at about 1/8 of a tank. Filling it up, without exception, has cured it until it gets down to right around 1/8 of a tank. Strange.

[Sw00p]

You certainly could have more than one problem.  It wouldn't hurt to change the fuel filter, though if it's plugged, it's plugged all the time, not just when it's below 1/4 of a tank.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

;) gotcha

 

I'm still going to get the codes pulled, but will the code still be there if the tank is full and the problem is not occurring?

[GM-Tech]

I'm still going to get the codes pulled, but will the code still be there if the tank is full and the problem is not occurring?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Yes, the code will be stored in "history" for a certain length of time. It will eventually be erased even from history if you wait too long to get it checked.