96 Bravada shut off while driving or turning

[teeja123]

I need some info before I take this puppy to the shop. A couple of weeks ago it started not wanting to start - or I would crank it up and then it would die out. After a couple of tries it starts up normally. Now before it use to start up before I could even turn the key all the way. Then yesterday I put it into drive and turned the wheel and it cut off, and now today, I got off of the freeway ramp, and came to a stop and it died. I've also noticed that I'll be driving regularly and the engine surges a bit, or even when getting on the highway it doesn't seem to want to get up to speed. Can anyone help me out?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by teeja123

I need some info before I take this puppy to the shop. A couple of weeks ago it started not wanting to start - or I would crank it up and then it would die out. After a couple of tries it starts up normally. Now before it use to start up before I could even turn the key all the way. Then yesterday I put it into drive and turned the wheel and it cut off, and now today, I got off of the freeway ramp, and came to a stop and it died. I've also noticed that I'll be driving regularly and the engine surges a bit, or even when getting on the highway it doesn't seem to want to get up to speed. Can anyone help me out?

Welcome on your first post on AF.
First thing I would check is the tune up on engine.
How many miles on plugs and fuel and air filter?
Any check engine lights?
Another thing that makes for a hard start is fuel pressure.
Depending on engine size and engine code which you need to post back.
Hard to start cold.
Check cold start fuel pressure.
Check engine running fuel pressure.
Check engine running on the road fuel pressure.
Then shut it off and watch for fast leak down.
Pinch off at rubber part or block off return line and check full pressure.
Later V6 and V8 gm engines should have 60-66 fuel pressure.
Cold start should be 64-65 lbs of pressure.
If you do not have full fuel pressure on a cold start the injectors will not squirt fuel.
Do not leave home without it.
Engine running should be 60-66 lbs pressure depending on engine load.
Full pressure with return pinched off should be 75-85 or more.
And if it has a fast leak down after shut off you have a leak.
Post back fuel pressure readings.
MT

[ericn1300]

sounds like a fuel delivery problem. try a new fuel filter first and check your fuel pressure.

[GunsOfNavarone]

I had a 1997 Bravada and had this happen 3 times. Twice it was the ignition switch and once the fuel pump. They display the same symptoms. Based n your surge I believe it will be the ignition switch as excess fuel is temporarily burned as the ignition switch reconnects. The first time my ignition switch went bad it simply would not start (it would crank). The second time it went bad (30k miles later) It died two or 3 times at stop signs, then died at 70mph on the interstate (I was able to restart it before coming to a complete stop and kept driving) only to have it die for good on the freeway going through downtown St Louis. 1 year later simular symptoms occurred and I replaced the ignition switch again- only to discover this time it was the fuel pump. Replacing the ignition switch is fairly easy in a 1996, the part cost about $120 at NAPA. Be careful not to break the emergency flasher while removing the plastic, as it breaks easily and will require a new turn signal assembly if broken (as I broke mine).