1997 1500: Engine Just Randomly Shuts Off Help!

[wsymionow]

The truck: 1997 Chevy 1500 2dr RWD V6

 

The Problem: The truck will start just fine and drives exceptionally well. However, every 20-30 miles (at most), the engine will just turn off/shut down. The accessories all stay on, the truck does not lose 12 volt power, only the engine shuts off. You can stick the tranny in neatural and fire the engine back up with alittle struggle, but most of the time i just pull over and start it back up. The engine will start and drie again fine for another few miles then shut down. Its completely random, sometime it will go a few days with out happening, other times it will happen 10 times in one trip!

 

Took it to the dealer and they replaced some basic ignition stuff (coils, wires, plugs ect) but they could not duplicate the problem.

 

anyone have some ideas? No DTC codes or SES lights. again everything works fine (guages/radio/HVAC ect) just the egine truns off (not to be confused with a stall, it turns off like the ecu quickly dies or something!)

 

Thanks for any help,

~Will s.

[BurnieMET13]

Sounds like the truck I just traded in (had the EXACT same problem)... Have a mechanic check the fuel pump connector. A mechanic said its a common problem with that year truck.

 

Edit - Forgot to clarify, the original connectors become faulty and the connection becomes terrible, it'll be fine just driving down the road and then the slightest bump can cause it to disrupt the connection. The one on my truck was starting to char up a bit too.

 

Hope that helps and is an easy fix.

[bobcat5544]

Most common cause would be the ignition switch.

 

But there are other things that could also cause your problem.

Wiring to the ignition switch

PCM or wiring to the PCM

And more

 

With this problem it will take a tech with experience in electrical problem solving

[BigJayDogg3]

Treat me like I don't know anything and you will be spot on.......What is the difference between a stall and what is going on.

[huntinfishn]

hello, i have 2 1997 trucks, and believe it ir not, a bad battery caused this problem on one of them, except i lost all power, everything would just shut off and die completely momentarily. i went through the ignition, wiring, everywhere i could think a loose wire might be, then someone told me to try a new battery and presto, problem solved.

[rdessewffy]

Check the crankshaft position sensor- I have a 2001 hd2500 and the same thing was happening to me-not sure if its your problem but sounds like it . good luck

[98 Z71 SLT]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say fuel pump.

 

Drive around with a buddy and also install a fuel pressure gage. I betcha you are losing fuel pressure when the pump gets warmed-up; i.e. driving 20-30 minutes.

 

When the truck stalls, have your buddy watch the fuel pressure gage when you go to crank it up.