2002 Suburban 5.3

First problem:
Hard to start or won't start when gas is below quarter tank...have heard this is the fuel regulator? Very annoying ...

Second problem:
Engine lost power when pulling onto hwy...had to coast across hwy and tryed to get it home died going up the little hill...sent hubby running home while I stayed with kids...he returned with HIS FORD.. LOL towed suburban home...the stupid thing restarted with no problem...he drove it to work (with me following) and it worked fine...

Have read several posts about Cam sensors and crank sensors???

Need this fixed as we have three small children (all in car seats) and ITS A BIG PAIN to squeeze them into his extended cab truck.

First thing to do is check for spark when this happens, if ok check for fuel pressure, then proceed based on results or post back, no quick fix for erratic problems.

First problem:
Hard to start or won't start when gas is below quarter tank...have heard this is the fuel regulator? Very annoying ...

Second problem:
Engine lost power when pulling onto hwy...had to coast across hwy and tryed to get it home died going up the little hill...sent hubby running home while I stayed with kids...he returned with HIS FORD.. LOL towed suburban home...the stupid thing restarted with no problem...he drove it to work (with me following) and it worked fine...

Have read several posts about Cam sensors and crank sensors???

Need this fixed as we have three small children (all in car seats) and ITS A BIG PAIN to squeeze them into his extended cab truck.

As maxwedge ays check for lose of spark or fuel.
Also I would be wondering about the fuel gauge.
How many gal does it hold with a fill up on a 1/4 tank.
They do not run well on E and some do not run well below a 1/4 tank or it may be a indication of fuel problems.
A puel pressure test may be in order.
Any hard to start cold with over a 1/2 tank of fuel?
MT
How is that fuel filter?

1st. The Fuel tank was almost full when this happened with the loss of power...? I'm pretty sure it wasn't a fuel issue (but then again I don't know for sure) as when you hit the gas it lost even more power...! You had to let it idle...to get anywhere. The whole vehicule was shaking as when your first start a new motor and its not timed right???
2. as for the 1/4 tank issue its a 28 or 32 gallon (?)... and you can run the thing all the way down to empty (another 50-75 miles) as long as you don't stop and have to restart it.
Thanks for the input so far.

oops...forgot to mention that the previous owner (just bought 'burb 3 mo ago) had replaced the fuel pump(2) (later found out the first one GM put in was the wrong one), catalytic converter, exhaust, fuel filters, air filters, etc in and effort to fix a "bogging down" problem...which we were told was fixed...LOL and ERRRRRRR

1st. The Fuel tank was almost full when this happened with the loss of power...? I'm pretty sure it wasn't a fuel issue (but then again I don't know for sure) as when you hit the gas it lost even more power...! You had to let it idle...to get anywhere. The whole vehicule was shaking as when your first start a new motor and its not timed right???
2. as for the 1/4 tank issue its a 28 or 32 gallon (?)... and you can run the thing all the way down to empty (another 50-75 miles) as long as you don't stop and have to restart it.
Thanks for the input so far.

Yes it will run with the tank low on fuel BUT.
Running a tank low is hard on fuel pump. Overheats them andoverworks them.
People that run the tank low replace a lot more fuel pumps.
If you have run yours low much it may be time for another fuel pump.

You have a problem that needs checked out before it quits full time.
Find a good repair shop and let them have a look at it.
Check around Ask around
Word of mouth.
Family friends coworkers neighbors business people and delivery people.
Mailmen and parcel delivery people get around and notice a lot of stuff.
Even a good parts house knows what shops are good and not good.
Chamber of commerce and better business bureau and city hall.
If you find a good referral to a repair shop go look them over and talk to them.
Look for a clean looking busy place with nice people running it.
Ask a few questions and ask about their qualifications and training.
Not all places have trained tech/mechanics.
If they do not find a place that does.
Even all dealers do not have all trained techs/mechanics.
Good luck MT

I should add that "empty" to me is 1/8th tank...before the fuel light comes on...but it ususally gets filled up around 1/4th tank.

Have had to replace fuel pumps in other various vehicules before...they didn't act like this one...they were more consistant...would lose power and bog down going up hills...very predictable. And since the previous owner replaced the fuel pump twice and it was still doing this...??? Could both problems be the fuel regulator ?

Have had to drive The FORD all weekend til' Hubby can look at it...He is off tomorrow...will probably have him do some checking (he is a really good mechanic) and see what he thinks. May take it to GM and have them check it over on their computer...

Am hoping that its something simple >>> LOL
Thanks

I should add that "empty" to me is 1/8th tank...before the fuel light comes on...but it ususally gets filled up around 1/4th tank.

Have had to replace fuel pumps in other various vehicules before...they didn't act like this one...they were more consistant...would lose power and bog down going up hills...very predictable. And since the previous owner replaced the fuel pump twice and it was still doing this...??? Could both problems be the fuel regulator ?

Have had to drive The FORD all weekend til' Hubby can look at it...He is off tomorrow...will probably have him do some checking (he is a really good mechanic) and see what he thinks. May take it to GM and have them check it over on their computer...

Am hoping that its something simple >>> LOL
Thanks


Like maxwedge says the best time to check it is when it does it.
Lose of spark or fuel is the key.
A good fuel pressure check will tell you a lot about the fuel pump and fuel regulator.
The correct fuel pressure is a very important to have on them.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
MT

Thanks...Only problem with that is its lack of predictability...and hubby won't let me drive it until its fixed...! ERRRR I miss the leather, options, etc...! (not to mention being able to get the kids in and out easy, which is why we bought the thing to begin with)

Thanks...Only problem with that is its lack of predictability...and hubby won't let me drive it until its fixed...! ERRRR I miss the leather, options, etc...! (not to mention being able to get the kids in and out easy, which is why we bought the thing to begin with)

10-4 on that.
I know it is very flustrating.
I have had some that would even run 30 days before acting up.
Let them sit 30 minutes and they would go another 30 days.
All you can do is look it over and run fuel pressure test and check for stored codes in computer history.
If it is setting a check engine light that may help.
If you have a good mechanic he may be able to spot something.
But it is sometime very hard to find the problem untill it does it all of the time.
You might let the husband drive it for a while and see how things go.
If it quits on him maybe he can find it.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
MT

Had the local dealership run tests on it ($50) ...

They say that the fuel pressure isn't constant...that it needs a new fuel pump...

Ok...If I go along with that line of thought this would be the third fuel pump in like 15-20 thousand miles!!!

WHY?

They want $800 dollars to put a new one in that the cover for 12 mo or 12,000 miles...(which the miles would be first for us!) We put a lot of miles on our rigs as we live in a fairly rural area and have to drive 30 minutes to get to work or walmart (LOL) If this trend in replacing fuel pumps continues it could get very expensive...!

??????????? Not sure what we are going to do...maybe trade...let someone else deal with it...LOL

Had the local dealership run tests on it ($50) ...

They say that the fuel pressure isn't constant...that it needs a new fuel pump...

Ok...If I go along with that line of thought this would be the third fuel pump in like 15-20 thousand miles!!!

WHY?

They want $800 dollars to put a new one in that the cover for 12 mo or 12,000 miles...(which the miles would be first for us!) We put a lot of miles on our rigs as we live in a fairly rural area and have to drive 30 minutes to get to work or walmart (LOL) If this trend in replacing fuel pumps continues it could get very expensive...!

??????????? Not sure what we are going to do...maybe trade...let someone else deal with it...LOL

It sounds like they may have found a problem.
But i am not sure what they are saying by not constant.
Several things beside fuel pump can cause low or fluncating fuel pressure.
One fuel pressure regulator and also voltage to pump and ground.
Some have connection problems at the pigtail wiring.
It is kinda starnge that it has had that many fuel pumps replaced.
Makes me wonder if it has another problem like fuel regulator or fuel pump wiring.
Just make sure they done a good ckeck out.

Also carquest has the fuel pump in delpi brand fuel pump same as oem brand a lot cheaper. And some other parts places should be close to the price.
http://cds.activant.com/C2C/16/169525/100/FG0273a.jpg
You should be able to get it around 300$ US
It might pay to check around.
Good luck
MT

Found fuel pump for the $300...not sure what we are going to do yet...

Have changed the fuel filter...may try the fuel regulator and check the wiring first...

But will have to do something quickly...as (LOL) our other truck just broke a tranny line or seal...stranded me with the kids on the side of the road while it gushed tranny fluid!!! WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS !!!

(Borrowing Father in Laws truck to move with) ERRRRRR

Thanks will post back more results....

if you have a napa store. ask them to print out the faq on the fuel pump problems. read it and take a look at your truck. thay have a lot of good info on how to fix some of the problems.