Starting Problems

[kdm101]

OK... for months now, my '99 Silverado has been having some intermittent starting issues. The starter cranks over just fine, but it won't fire. Usually, after a few seconds of cranking, I let off the starter and then try again. The second time it usually fires up immediately. I've been attributing it to the cheap replacement fuel pump I installed early this year, but now I'm not so sure.

 

Just this past week though when it got really cold, it didn't want to start at all even after multiple start/key off cycles. I was hearing some buzzing from under the hood. I pulled the fuse panel cover hearing the buzz from one of the relays - I thought I had the culprit, but it was the DRL relay. I pulled it to silence the annoyance. I also pulled the fuel pump relay and reseated it. After that, the truck fired right up.

 

Problem solved? Not really. It still happens on occasion and I did the relay bit once more to get it going. So, is the fuel pump more likely or are the relays prone to failure? They're not that expensive so I was thinking of buying 2 for spares just in case anyway.

[L29er]

relays are common to cause your issue... try that first