Help! I Was On My Way To School But My 2000 Silverado 5.3l Truck Won't Start??!!

[Johnny916]

Hi, I can't believe I'm missing school.
I tried to get into my truck and take it to school when the engine won't start. The battery seems fine though. It cranks ok but just doesn't start up. It's an Automatic trans.
I do notice the battery light comes on and stays on though but all the lights turn on and the engine cranks itself. So what should I do now? No one's here to jump me. I don't have a self starter battery pack.

Do you guys think it's the battery or what??

[Johnny916]

I just tried to start the truck again and it worked now! Started right up. But now I'm afrraid if I go somewhere will I be left stranded??!!
What could this problem be? I really can't afford to pay for an expensive mechanic so I'm going to try to fix it myself.

It's funny how one minute it will start right up and the next it just cranks but won't catch!

[silveradoking]

fuel, compression, spark plugs......change your plugs, wires.....fuel filter and see what happens....

[Silverado Brethern]

Before you go spending money on stuff like that that you may not need, have your alternator tested. Those are nearly exact symptoms that my truck had when my alternator died. Always try to test anything and everything you can cuz when you go out and buy a bunch of stuff that you may not need to fix the vehicle you'll be kicking yourself in the butt.

[mercurysniper]

Before go changing all kinds of expensive parts, check your fuses to your fuel pump. I've had the same problem you explained and spent well over $200 to change the starter, jump the battery, all kinds of shit, and it turned out to be a burned out fuse. Now I know you are thinking, if its a burned out fuse why did my truck start, I have no idea but my truck did the same thing. It would not start at all, the engine would turn over but no combustion, but when I had a mechanic come and look he cranked it and it started right up. He then shut it down and tried again, and this time no start, just the engine turning over. He checked the continutity on the fuel system and found it was a 40amp fuse. Hope this helps.

[kenny-1907]

It could also be the passlock system screwing around , it happens alot on these trucks.

[tallica_28]

just go to kragan or autozone they do free battery, starter and alternator tests.....Also check your battery cables...chances are you have side mount cables and come loose easily....my dad's 97 does it ever so often....its happened once to me and at a green light of all things.....

[twomorestrokes]

Hmmm. I'll agree with passkey or fuel pump. My '02 Tahoe lost 2 fuel pumps in three months, but once it was running, it would start fine after that for awhile. If it does it again, smack the bottom of the fuel tank with a rubber mallet. GM should equip the trucks with a mallet holder for just such an occasion.