Truck Died

carneyman · June 29, 2007

'02 Chevy z71 with a 5.3. Drove to Lowe's the other day, and when I came back out and started my truck, it immediately died. Started it again and had to keep on the gas to keep it running. Managed to get it back home, and by then it would stay running, but the RPM's were around 300-400. It is still running now, but I am about to make a 700 mile trip (each way) on tuesday and would rather not have an issue in the middle of nowhere. I'm thinking fuel pump or a sensor. Any ideas/suggestions to figure out what, if anything, is wrong?

svensk · June 29, 2007

scan for codes ASAP! check fuel pressure, battery/spark, the usual suspects.

carneyman · June 29, 2007

I would scan, if had had a scanner. Didn't check the fuel pressure, but voltage is good.

thecraft · June 30, 2007

You might want to check if the IAC valve is working or if the EGR valve is sticking open.

carneyman · June 30, 2007

You might want to check if the IAC valve is working or if the EGR valve is sticking open.

I'll check that while I'm on it, if I can get some time. Out of curiosity, how long do fuel pumps usually last on these trucks? My dad's went out at around 60000 miles, and mine has over 80,000, so I am wondering if that could be part of the problem.

uh6077 · June 30, 2007

I replaced mine last weekend at 125,000 miles. If you change it do yourself a favor and drop the tank instead of lifting the bed. It is a 2 hours job if you do it that way. Took me much longer because I tried to take the bed off. Lots of bolts and lots fo rust. Only 2 bolts holding the tank on.

carneyman · April 20, 2008

Old problem decided to come back up. Never did figure out what it was, and it hasn't done it again until today. Only difference is this time the battery was dead. Was talking to a friend about it and he suggested it might have something to do with it not having a good charge. If this is the case, I'm guessing its time for a new battery...any ideas/suggestions?

ColoradoSkiCountry · April 21, 2008

I'd have the charging system looked at first.

FREAKENHYE · April 21, 2008

You might want to check if the IAC valve is working or if the EGR valve is sticking open.

Im with him on this one.

and might be the fuel pump cuz we replaced a lot of them on Chevy's with about 80k on them, In tank fuel pumps only.

TexasAl · April 21, 2008

Old problem decided to come back up. Never did figure out what it was, and it hasn't done it again until today. Only difference is this time the battery was dead. Was talking to a friend about it and he suggested it might have something to do with it not having a good charge. If this is the case, I'm guessing its time for a new battery...any ideas/suggestions?

If you are having problems with your chariging system, take care of that first. If you have an Autozone close by, have them scan your truck (free). If you find some codes, and they point to an emissions problem, it is probably your EGR valve or IAC valve. If you do not find a code, then you are probably looking at a fuel related problem. If you find a misfire code, then you are probably looking at an ignition problem. Get your charging system fixed first, and then see if you have any other codes in that computer. Good luck.

-al

67ChevyRedneck · April 21, 2008

My truck had a similar issue. Turns out the actual terminal inside the battery was loose. Truck would sparatically run bad. Did this off and on for a few weeks, then the battery died and when I went to change it the + post fell out of the battery. New battery fixed it.

Also, when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

My pump still works at 112K.

carneyman · April 21, 2008

Changed the fuel filter last time the oil was changed. I'm thinking it is the battery, but its weird that it waited a year to do it again. Started up just fine this morning, ran great. Oh well, I've been needing to hook up a dual battery system, so I'll probably try that and see if the problem goes away.