94 K1500 starts hard cold

[blue4X4]

Just beginning about a week ago I went to start my truck and it started normally, then after a second or two it died. I re-started it again and same thing except it took a few more cranks. Once I do this 5 to 10 times it stays running and runs and drives normally. Once its cooled off, its back to the hard starts.

I have replaced the fuel pump and filter, injector cleaner in tank and sprayed down the Throttle body recently. However, it seems more like a cold choke type problem. What controls the Throttle body when it first starts no matter what the temperature is outdoors?

[2000CAYukon]

There is an Engine Coolant Temp sensor in the intake manifold near the tstat. If you unplug the sensor, the computer will think the engine is cold. If it starts and stays running, the temp sensor is bad.

Since it only happens cold, I would start with this to rule out the Engine Coolant Temp sensor.

//2000CAYukon

[blue4X4]

ECT seems fine after checking it as suggested. Today It died as I was driving it 65mph. Each time I tried to restart it I listened for the pump first and heard nothing. About 20 minutes of sitting there I finally tried it and the pump was running so I turned it over and it started right up. I think my fuel pump I put in this Spring is about to up-chuck its cookies.

I took it in to have it diagnosed to be sure. I will post the results when I get them tomorrow. My money is on the pump, I have read several simular thread's where it seems there is a history of pump problems, more-so on the after-market ones.

[sherman69]

This sounds a lot like my 97 5.7.
On the highway a year and a half ago the truck just died like I cut the key off. Had the fuel pump replaced, they got it from NAPA. It was a carter.
Then after 10-11 months it started after several seconds of cranking most of the time but twice after running in hot weather, it wouldn't start at all for 5-10 minutes, then was ok.
Next again on the road trip, it wouldn't start at all after a rest stop. I now carried my fuel pressure gauge in the box under the hood, so I found the fuel pump to be dead. even applying 12 volts to the test wire under the hood, the pump wouldn't run.
So this time I used my AAA tow for 100 miles trip home, and replaced the pump, using a Delphi brand. Seems all brands have this problem and Delphi is the new factory brand, So I am giving it a try.
Since the tank was almost full, it was easier to lift the bed than drop the tank. Next time I might cut the bed if it happens again.
I will communicate with the original owner who drove it for 98000 miles to see if he ever had to replace the original or if it lasted that long.
Bob B

[blue4X4]

Well, I got it back from the Chevy Dealer Service Department after they replaced the ECM and the cap and rotor and the fuel filter. First they replaced the $450.00 Ecm and called me to see if they could keep it to try it again in the morning to make sure its all good. I called them the next day and he wanted to put the cap and rotor on it and when I picked it up he told me they put the fuel filter in it for free. My guess is after the ECM installed it was still acting up and thats why he wanted to keep it and put on the cap and rotor. Then it was still not right so they threw in the filter. It started right up. But a half hour after I got home I moved it out of the driveway and it died, then it wouldnt start. I really question the $500.00 I spent and still have the same problem. They said they couldnt even blow through the filter it was so clogged up. Duh, the that tells me the pump was straining hard and probably weak, plus the pump I got at Autozone. If I was the fuel pump I would be pretty dead trying to push fuel through a fiter you cant blow air threw! I have heard about aftermarket pumps lately, so I told the guy when I took it in the first time I thought it was the pump. So, why did they start with the expensive ECM? I am raising cane with them when it goes back in to them tomorrow!
For $500 I could of bought a Holley and a Mechanical fuel pump and pulled most of all that computer junk.
Why cant the tell what the problem is before they start replacing parts. I thought thats what all the Computer gadgets they test with are for!
How can it be working fine and then it has a problem and they replace 4 parts and $500.oo later its still doing the same thing?

[blue4X4]

Heres the vedict on the problem, as I suspected. Its the fuel pump! Imagine that. And because I took it back because it still wasnt fixed, they want to charge me for hooking it back up to their machine again!
I feel taken advantage of!
Told the dealer I wasnt going to pay for bringing it back in after they didnt solve the problem. After getting it started and getting it home, I dropped the tank and replaced the pump in 2 hours. I turned the key and it started right up with ease.
These threads were a big help! I read a lot of threads where the pumps were problems , some even several a year and had simular symptoms. I told the shop supervisor I felt it was the pump, but it was the last thing they looked at!
THANKS EVERYONE!
I hope my story will help others in their repairs.