Truck Wont Start

Mrs. Jones · November 3, 2007

Hello,

I have been having problems with my truck on and off from the beginning of my purchase. My husband wanted lots of extras on the truck, so we had it in the shop for a couple of days before we brought it home. I went and got the truck on july 9th, 2004. when I was driving it home, I seen a puff of smoke come out of my dash, and smelled an electrical burn. Took it back to the shop, and they inspected where they had just re-wired (they just installed a dvd player), and everything seemed fine, there was no more problems. Then later on, I kept on having continual dvd player problems, they changed it 3 times, before installing a different model. (the new one has a lose screw in the screen bouncing around).

Anyways to the point, I think something might be messed up electrically with the computer. because, I have had windshield wiper problems, kept on going, then wouldn't work anymore. They replaced or repaired the windshield wiper problem. then the cruise control went on and off, when it wants to. The dealership cant find anything wrong with that. and then one day, my truck wouldn't start. My husband is has tons of mechanical abilities (he's rebuilt camaro's, etc.), but not the computer aspect of it. Whereas I have some computer knowledge of the and how the code readouts of the vehicles are, but this truck is under warranty still, and I figured all should be good, and I shouldn't have to worry about fixing problems on my own.

But when my truck wouldn't start, the battery was drained, so we charged it with a professional battery starter/charger for 4 hours, battery and all lights were bright as heck, and we still couldn't start the truck, there was no engine turnover, no click of the starter, nothing. My gut kept telling me to disconnect the battery terminals, so I asked the dealership, if I could just unplug the battery terminals to reset the computer (this is what I had to do with my old chev celebrity after repairs, and to eleminate codes)(and if the code kept coming up, the problem wasn't fixed, etc.). But anyways they advised me not to. understandable, so that they can figure out the problem themselves.... they figured we had some kind of dinky battery charger, or didn't know what we were doing. So I had my truck towed to their dealership (it had to catch a ferry-1hr. and drive for another hour), finally got there, and sat there for 3 days. They said they charged it and it was fine. they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I was furious, for the fact that if it was fine, and it charged up fine, then I should of got my truck back long time ago, not 3 days later. Customer Assistance Center was no help either. So $400.00 later, I went to pick it up, my time in my truck was reset, and I know they could of only done this if they had disconnected the battery terminals. But they deny it.

So then again, one night, after my husband was listening to the music for several hours while cutting & packagaing a moose (after his hunt), he went to start the truck, and it wouldn't start. It still had lights and all, so he came home grabbed the battery charger, and went back to the packers, and charged up the truck. We had a curious audience as well (embarrissing). Well he charged it for about 2 hours, and put the battery on the start mode, and the the guages were all fine, and there were no concerns with the voltage of the battery, but yet the truck would not start. My husband was mad. Came home, and went to bed. The next day, I phoned the dealership, and talked to him about the problem, and they just wanted us to tow it in again, but like heck were going to pay another $400.00 for the truck to be towed.

Our truck payments are already outrageous $1300.00 a month, but we love our truck. I'm a chevy lover, and so is my husband (he retired his old 1978 1 ton dually camper special 3 x 3 , 454 engine - to this truck).

following my gut, I told him to disconnect the battery terminal, and then try again after about 2 min. He did that, a viola..... the truck started. He came home and talked with Brent (service man), and said there is no way they could of got that truck started without the truck not being disconnected at the battery terminals. So he went off to talk with the mechanic, and phoned back, and said the mechanic didn't do anything. There denying it, just like they deny using customer vehicles as courtesy vehicles, and also the day that I had my truck towed in, well they had one of their mechanic guys take it home, and he took it to a ball game, and scratched the back tailgate, what looks like from a fence or a metal chair.

anyways to get to the point, I am losing my faith, but I still want the problem fixed. I think it might be a sensor.

What I figure is wrong with it is, when the batter is just about to be drained out of the starting power (or cranking power), the lights, and everything automatically turn off, as a safety feature. I think it disengages the sensor to let you start the truck again, wether the battery is charged or not. and to override this sensor you have to reset the internal memory, so it doesn't act stupid anymore. I would like to know what sensor, or what you think the problem is, so this doesn't keep happening. I dont think its okay to have to keep resetting the computer to start the truck, it will probably cut down on the life of the computer. Please let me know what you think.

tigerbait · November 3, 2007

Im not a tech, but the problem is that you run the battery to practically empty. For the amount of power being consumed through that DVD I would recommend a 2 battery set up with 2 batteries that are designed to be drained and then recharged. An alternator upgrade w/ the 2 batteries would not be a bad idea.

just my .02

Dustin

atboley · November 3, 2007

there are 2 things i can think of, one maybe your having a theft deterent problem, the security light will normally be flashing when its the theft system not allowing it to start, maybe when the battery goes dead the theft system is loosing memory and it has to relearn b4 it starts, it would be a help if you knew if it had any theft codes or any codes at all, but disconnecting the battery would erase all those... if there is no codes related then maybe you just have a starter going out intermitently, i dont know why that would be related to the battery going dead tho??? but my best guess would be a theft system problem... if you have an onstar subscription they can read codes for you so at least you can know for yourself what codes are there b4 you take it to the dealer...

Mrs. Jones · November 4, 2007

Im not a tech, but the problem is that you run the battery to practically empty. For the amount of power being consumed through that DVD I would recommend a 2 battery set up with 2 batteries that are designed to be drained and then recharged. An alternator upgrade w/ the 2 batteries would not be a bad idea.

just my .02

Dustin

I forgot to mention that there are two batteries.

The first and second time the truck died the dvd player wasn't on.

The first time was just our sirius sattellite plugged in, but not on, and we figured maybe we left an interior light on or something (lights were very dim, when I tried to start it).

The second time the truck did not work was when my husband had the stereo on, while he was working on the moose meat (the music cut out). But the problem is, the truck runs out of juice to quick, and when we charge it, or boost it (even with another vehicle), the truck wont turn over. Something (or sensor), is preventing the truck to turn over, once it's been charged. I hope this helps?

Mrs. Jones · November 4, 2007

there are 2 things i can think of, one maybe your having a theft deterent problem, the security light will normally be flashing when its the theft system not allowing it to start, maybe when the battery goes dead the theft system is loosing memory and it has to relearn b4 it starts, it would be a help if you knew if it had any theft codes or any codes at all, but disconnecting the battery would erase all those... if there is no codes related then maybe you just have a starter going out intermitently, i dont know why that would be related to the battery going dead tho??? but my best guess would be a theft system problem... if you have an onstar subscription they can read codes for you so at least you can know for yourself what codes are there b4 you take it to the dealer...

Yeah, I wondered the same thing as well, if it might be dis-engaging the vehicle, making it immobile. But the only thing is, I didn't get onstar with the truck. But it has a anti-theft device, which when it goes missing, I phone the police, and they put in my plates or code into the satellite, which then shuts of my fuel pump (I think? a valve?) and then thats how my vehicle will be found, because it wont move any where. When this happens, only the dealership, will be able to get it going again, because they have to install a new pump (or a valve near the pump?) Does this make sense. Crap, I should of listened more, about the whole security device, I was just to excited about getting the darn truck....

Thanks..

Mrs. Jones · November 4, 2007

there are 2 things i can think of, one maybe your having a theft deterent problem, the security light will normally be flashing when its the theft system not allowing it to start, maybe when the battery goes dead the theft system is loosing memory and it has to relearn b4 it starts, it would be a help if you knew if it had any theft codes or any codes at all, but disconnecting the battery would erase all those... if there is no codes related then maybe you just have a starter going out intermitently, i dont know why that would be related to the battery going dead tho??? but my best guess would be a theft system problem... if you have an onstar subscription they can read codes for you so at least you can know for yourself what codes are there b4 you take it to the dealer...

Yeah, I wondered the same thing as well, if it might be dis-engaging the vehicle, making it immobile. But the only thing is, I didn't get onstar with the truck. But it has a anti-theft device, which when it goes missing, I phone the police, and they put in my plates or code into the satellite, which then shuts of my fuel pump (I think? a valve?) and then thats how my vehicle will be found, because it wont move any where. When this happens, only the dealership, will be able to get it going again, because they have to install a new pump (or a valve near the pump?) Does this make sense. Crap, I should of listened more, about the whole security device, I was just to excited about getting the darn truck....

Thanks..

Oh, yeah, one more thing, I thought the dealership would of did a code readout the first time the truck wouldn't start (when the truck was towed there), but they didn't do a code readout. Well at least they never informed me, or had it written on their paperwork anywhere. and I never purchased a code readout for the truck yet, since it was new, and is still under warranty (for another 2 more years - I purchased extended warranty on it till it is 150,000km's or 5 years - which ever comes first.) When I go down island in the next few weeks, maybe I will have to swing into Canadian Tire to buy a code reader for my truck, and perhaps a manual, if they got them yet???

Draenor · November 5, 2007

there are 2 things i can think of, one maybe your having a theft deterent problem, the security light will normally be flashing when its the theft system not allowing it to start, maybe when the battery goes dead the theft system is loosing memory and it has to relearn b4 it starts, it would be a help if you knew if it had any theft codes or any codes at all, but disconnecting the battery would erase all those... if there is no codes related then maybe you just have a starter going out intermitently, i dont know why that would be related to the battery going dead tho??? but my best guess would be a theft system problem... if you have an onstar subscription they can read codes for you so at least you can know for yourself what codes are there b4 you take it to the dealer...

Yeah, I wondered the same thing as well, if it might be dis-engaging the vehicle, making it immobile. But the only thing is, I didn't get onstar with the truck. But it has a anti-theft device, which when it goes missing, I phone the police, and they put in my plates or code into the satellite, which then shuts of my fuel pump (I think? a valve?) and then thats how my vehicle will be found, because it wont move any where. When this happens, only the dealership, will be able to get it going again, because they have to install a new pump (or a valve near the pump?) Does this make sense. Crap, I should of listened more, about the whole security device, I was just to excited about getting the darn truck....

Thanks..

This device is probably interfering with the passlock(factory) securuty system, Wich is trying to disable the truck....Or is running the battery down.

ujtruck · November 5, 2007

there are 2 things i can think of, one maybe your having a theft deterent problem, the security light will normally be flashing when its the theft system not allowing it to start, maybe when the battery goes dead the theft system is loosing memory and it has to relearn b4 it starts, it would be a help if you knew if it had any theft codes or any codes at all, but disconnecting the battery would erase all those... if there is no codes related then maybe you just have a starter going out intermitently, i dont know why that would be related to the battery going dead tho??? but my best guess would be a theft system problem... if you have an onstar subscription they can read codes for you so at least you can know for yourself what codes are there b4 you take it to the dealer...

Yeah, I wondered the same thing as well, if it might be dis-engaging the vehicle, making it immobile. But the only thing is, I didn't get onstar with the truck. But it has a anti-theft device, which when it goes missing, I phone the police, and they put in my plates or code into the satellite, which then shuts of my fuel pump (I think? a valve?) and then thats how my vehicle will be found, because it wont move any where. When this happens, only the dealership, will be able to get it going again, because they have to install a new pump (or a valve near the pump?) Does this make sense. Crap, I should of listened more, about the whole security device, I was just to excited about getting the darn truck....

Thanks..

This device is probably interfering with the passlock(factory) securuty system, Wich is trying to disable the truck....Or is running the battery down.

even if passlock disabled your truck, starter motor should carnk the engine, passlock-2 only cutting fuel to injectors right?

next time if this happen - check:

GM's PASSLOCK 2 System, these wires exit the Ignition Switch Tumbler together and are in the Main Ignition Switch Harness in the Column.

YELLOW wire (+), BLACK wire (-)

if you do have a security LED Blinks while you starting, yes then you have a issue.

btw: I am not a fulltime GM Technician...

Mrs. Jones · November 7, 2007

there are 2 things i can think of, one maybe your having a theft deterent problem, the security light will normally be flashing when its the theft system not allowing it to start, maybe when the battery goes dead the theft system is loosing memory and it has to relearn b4 it starts, it would be a help if you knew if it had any theft codes or any codes at all, but disconnecting the battery would erase all those... if there is no codes related then maybe you just have a starter going out intermitently, i dont know why that would be related to the battery going dead tho??? but my best guess would be a theft system problem... if you have an onstar subscription they can read codes for you so at least you can know for yourself what codes are there b4 you take it to the dealer...

Yeah, I wondered the same thing as well, if it might be dis-engaging the vehicle, making it immobile. But the only thing is, I didn't get onstar with the truck. But it has a anti-theft device, which when it goes missing, I phone the police, and they put in my plates or code into the satellite, which then shuts of my fuel pump (I think? a valve?) and then thats how my vehicle will be found, because it wont move any where. When this happens, only the dealership, will be able to get it going again, because they have to install a new pump (or a valve near the pump?) Does this make sense. Crap, I should of listened more, about the whole security device, I was just to excited about getting the darn truck....

Thanks..

This device is probably interfering with the passlock(factory) securuty system, Wich is trying to disable the truck....Or is running the battery down.

thanks for the advice.

Mrs. Jones · November 7, 2007

there are 2 things i can think of, one maybe your having a theft deterent problem, the security light will normally be flashing when its the theft system not allowing it to start, maybe when the battery goes dead the theft system is loosing memory and it has to relearn b4 it starts, it would be a help if you knew if it had any theft codes or any codes at all, but disconnecting the battery would erase all those... if there is no codes related then maybe you just have a starter going out intermitently, i dont know why that would be related to the battery going dead tho??? but my best guess would be a theft system problem... if you have an onstar subscription they can read codes for you so at least you can know for yourself what codes are there b4 you take it to the dealer...

Yeah, I wondered the same thing as well, if it might be dis-engaging the vehicle, making it immobile. But the only thing is, I didn't get onstar with the truck. But it has a anti-theft device, which when it goes missing, I phone the police, and they put in my plates or code into the satellite, which then shuts of my fuel pump (I think? a valve?) and then thats how my vehicle will be found, because it wont move any where. When this happens, only the dealership, will be able to get it going again, because they have to install a new pump (or a valve near the pump?) Does this make sense. Crap, I should of listened more, about the whole security device, I was just to excited about getting the darn truck....

Thanks..

This device is probably interfering with the passlock(factory) securuty system, Wich is trying to disable the truck....Or is running the battery down.

even if passlock disabled your truck, starter motor should carnk the engine, passlock-2 only cutting fuel to injectors right?

next time if this happen - check:

GM's PASSLOCK 2 System, these wires exit the Ignition Switch Tumbler together and are in the Main Ignition Switch Harness in the Column.

YELLOW wire (+), BLACK wire (-)

if you do have a security LED Blinks while you starting, yes then you have a issue.

btw: I am not a fulltime GM Technician...

When your talking about the security LED blinks when starting, I dont get any kind of warning or engine problem lights blinking in the dash. The only thing that shows is the glow plug, and seat belt light, and the guages. Which the gas guage doesn't move, it stays on E (it doesn't matter if it's full or 1/2, I have never been close to E, just because it's diesel and you dont want to go empty on that!). and the battery is low (until I charge it up). other guages are normal. So crap, what a pain in the butt. What do you think?

ujtruck · November 10, 2007

Mrs. Jones

Only thing I can think of is: Install a battery monitor and cut of volatage to the DVD system before battery completly die...no joy but that is the reality.

Mrs. Jones · November 20, 2007

Mrs. Jones

Only thing I can think of is: Install a battery monitor and cut of volatage to the DVD system before battery completly die...no joy but that is the reality.

Sorry it took so long to get back here. We've had no power here for over a week.

Anyways, I think I'm going to try to bring the truck back in the shop and see what they can do. Maybe they can stick the truck on the computer code reader when it wont start. And we can get to the bottom of this. It is still under warranty, so hopefully they dont pull a fast one on me. Thanks for your help.