2001 8.1L 4x4 suburban stalls dies

[dpcrane]

This may have nothing to do with it, but my dad's '02 explorer Sport Trac has had a similar stalling problem. I didn't pay much attention to it until it happened when he and I were 3 hours from home. It happened right after a fill up. He took it back to the dealer and they admitted a possible problem with filling the tank to the top causing some sort of vapor lock. Does your problem happen only with a full tank? Good luck.

[socalrob]

Thanks for the advice here. I took the Sub back to the dealer for another try. They finally found something.

Tech wrote:

" Scope & scanned. Had Code P0335 and very intermintent stalling problem. Tested and replaced bad crank sensor. S.T. to remove crank sensor that was siezed in it's bore and broke while trying to remove it. Cleared Code.

Replaced 1 part no. 12575172 Sensor 2.383 "

I've driven truck for about an hour. No plroblems yet!

BTW - stalling problem was unrelated to weather or gas level, although the very first time the truck stalled was on a very hot day a mile or so after a partial fillup.

Now for a question, what is a crank sensor & what does it do & where is it?

Thanks - socalrob

[jimjeanandmac]

Hello all, I am new to these boards. I am a Ford F-350 owner who is about to buy a 2001 Burb. I came across this thread and had a bit to contribute. My apologies for the long post, but...

One: I have a fair amount of experience with Camshaft Position Sensors (specifically on my truck). The diesel generates a ton of heat, and these sensors deteriorate from heat by their nature. I have so far lost two on the truck (both under warranty due to the 100k powerstroke warranty). The bugger is, this sensor costs $185 from Ford. The same part from International (the manufacturer of the engine) is $85.

Anyway, first time I was stranded up in Maine at a campground. Engine just DIED. At first I thought bad fuel (new filter), water in the fuel (drained the buld - 5x!), clogged air filter ???( pulled the cover off to test) NOTHIN WORKED. I logged onto www.thedieselstop.com (Big Powerstroke Site) and they nailed it - cam shaft position sensor - no doubt. 1 Sensor, 10 minutes, and a 10mm wrench and the truck was perfect. It was immediate - ran perfect to DEAD.

Second time, doing seventy five down the highway - studder, studder, huge power loss, stall. Coasted off highway (BTW exactly same mileage since last failure). I knew right away. Had it towed to Ford dealership (at their expense). One sensor, ten minutes, one 10mm wrench. Truck is back to perfrect.

Now that I am out of warranty - I am getting a spare wrench and sensor into Glove Compartment.

====================

Onto Burb: Snippet from carpoint.msn.com - Sounds like it might be your problem. CPS is easy to change - if not it throw in Glove Compartment for when it does go. Then look at pumps.

"Common problems on this vehicle are failures of the Fuel Pump, Fuel Pressure Regulator and Crankshaft Position Sensor. Failure of the Fuel Pump or Crankshaft Position Sensor can cause the vehicle to stall or not start. The cost to repair the Fuel Pump is estimated at $425.13 for parts and $143.00 for labor on the side tank and $221.00 for labor on the rear tank. The cost to repair the Crankshaft Position Sensor is estimated at $90.11 for parts and $52.00 for labor. The cost to repair the Fuel Pressure Regulator is $90.24 for parts and $32.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax"

[jimjeanandmac]

Originally Posted by socalrob

Now for a question, what is a crank sensor & what does it do & where is it?

Thanks - socalrob

Sorry, but I just realized you had posted the answer to your problem.

What is a CPS? Its a sensor that measures the specific location of the CAM as it cycles through 360 degrees. With that information, the onboard computer can do things like govern injection timing, ignition timing etc.

When the sensor begins to fail, the computer doesn't know where the engine is in the rotation, so... it can misfire the plugs, fail to inject fuel when needed (if electronic fuel injection system) and more. The obvious effects are rough idle, loss of power, or likely full stall.

[socalrob]

Thanks for the info. After a few hundred more miles and many different trips, still no problems, so looks like truck is fixed. BTW, this truck, other than this problem, is really great. Before the fix, I had asked my dealer to start a search for an identical veh., as it fits my needs to the T.

[ForidaBob]

I have experienced the same stalling problems with my 2002 Suburban. First dealer cleaned fuel injection $140). The problem persisted. I went to another dealer and they replaced the fuel pump in the gas tank ($900). The problem happened again about 3 months later. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty fuel pump again. Fortunately for me the fuel pump comes with a lifetime parts and labor warantee so I am just out the inconvenience. We will see how long this one lasts. I have seen others suggest the problem could be the fuel pump relay (http://www.automotiveforums.com/t198842.html).

[Alderman5]

Did anyone have any problems with the fuel pump fuses blowing? I have a 99 surburban that we are trying to diagnos. Any suggestions!!!! Thanks.

[2500HD 4 ME]

I have a 2500HD with a 8.1 and I have the same problem as Rob. I was curious if any one has more or additional information since these postings. My truck will die without warning at any given speed or stopped, sometimes starting right back up but mostly taking between 3 to 10 minutes. It typically dies after cold starting between the first mile but before I have driven 5 miles. It typically dies once after startup. Once it starts for the second time it seldom dies again before reaching my destination. If anyone could help, It would be appreciated

[jimh]

hey 2500hd4me,
My FIRST start problem was clogged fuel filter. Another problem I ran into on a different vehicle was one of the shaft sensors (cam or crank). If the computer thinks those are not spinning together, it will shut down (I think that is the plan). There should be some error codes stored if this problem has happened this often. Good luck!

[Chuck41]

I have read this thread with interest as I found it through a Yahoo search because I am having the same problem with a 2001 Suburban 2500 8.1L. Can anyone tell mwe where this crankshaft sensor is so I can replace it and hopefully solve this annoying problem with my otherwise perfect truck.
Semper Fidelis

[FL610]

Hi, purchased a 01 8.1 suburban a few months back, rather than let the parts fail i replaced the water pump, main fuel pump, belts, hoses, etc... but i now have the problem you described in the previous posts, lovely isnt it...lol i noticed the last item you changed was the crank sensor, do you think that was the root cause in your particular situation? any help would be greatly appreciated. i have the secondary fuel pump on order, including an ignition module, they probably need to changed regardless, but wanted to see if the sensor you mentioned helped Thank you!

[Luisc]

If anyone finds out what the issue is please let me know, I just travel from Florida to Connecticut and the 2004 Z71 stalled twice, first time it has happen since I owe it from zero miles. It happen twice in South Carolina and then in Virginia. I noticed it only happen with the cruise control active. I made the rest o f the trip without cruise control and no problem, dealer in CT charged me 400.00 and found nothing.

[FL610]

Hi - i had just bought my 2001 Suburban with 106K miles when this problem started, it was probably already present when i bought it, but anyways... The vehicle would just die, most of the time it would die when at idle, never at cruise or while driviing around, just idle. Long story short it ended up being the crank sensor on the back of the engine, i work on my own vehicles and this wasnt easy to change. Its located on the back of the engine where the engine bolts up to the tranny.

[madatchevy]

I own a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban ¾ 4x4 with about 88,000 miles on it's 8.1 L engine it. About a week ago, I was driving down the road and it just shut off! No power! No power steering, no power brakes, no engine! Thank goodness I was not on a busy highway! A day later, it happened again! Fortunately, I was, again, not a busy road. I looked up the problem on the internet and suspected that it was the crankshaft position sensor. I also found out that there is a recall for 2001 Suburbans for this very part! I took it to the dealer and when they put in my VIN number, amazingly, my truck did not qualify for a free fix! I have to PAY $450 to fix this part that is obviously a problem! This part goes bad and you can DIE! And you never know when it will start going bad! WHEN will it shut down the first time? It's like Russian Roulette! We own 3 Chevys and will NEVER buy another one! I hope it was worth the $450 they made to lose a customer for life!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chevrolet Suburban Recalls
Suburban ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Recall – ID# 48094
Recall Date
NOV 07, 2007*
Model Affected
2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN*
Description
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L*V8*ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY. IF THE SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE SES LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MAY RUN ROUGH. THE ENGINE MAY STALL, AND IF SO, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD.*
Consequence
IF THE SENSOR BECOMES COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING AND WILL NOT RE-START. EITHER OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.*
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT*CHEVROLET*AT*1-800-630-2438*AND GMC AT*1-866-996-9463.*
Potential Units Affected
11974*
Notes
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 06083

[madatchevy]

I own a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban ¾ 4x4 with about 88,000 miles on it's 8.1 L engine it. About a week ago, I was driving down the road and it just shut off! No power! No power steering, no power brakes, no engine! Thank goodness I was not on a busy highway! A day later, it happened again! Fortunately, I was, again, not a busy road. I looked up the problem on the internet and suspected that it was the crankshaft position sensor. I also found out that there is a recall for 2001 Suburbans for this very part! I took it to the dealer and when they put in my VIN number, amazingly, my truck did not qualify for a free fix! I have to PAY $450 to fix this part that is obviously a problem! This part goes bad and you can DIE! And you never know when it will start going bad! WHEN will it shut down the first time? It's like Russian Roulette! We own 3 Chevys and will NEVER buy another one! I hope it was worth the $450 they made to lose a customer for life!

Note: If yours is not covered also, please call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 and filed a complaint and they MIGHT include more VIN numbers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chevrolet Suburban Recalls
Suburban ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Recall – ID# 48094
Recall Date
NOV 07, 2007*
Model Affected
2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN*
Description
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L*V8*ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY. IF THE SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE SES LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MAY RUN ROUGH. THE ENGINE MAY STALL, AND IF SO, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD.*
Consequence
IF THE SENSOR BECOMES COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING AND WILL NOT RE-START. EITHER OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.*
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT*CHEVROLET*AT*1-800-630-2438*AND GMC AT*1-866-996-9463.*
Potential Units Affected
11974*
Notes
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 06083