Not starting!? 01 Silverado

bsm78 · #1 06-07-2009, 02:55 PM

I have 4.3L Silverado 2001. There is spark and fuel but the truck just turns over. If I put fuel into the throttle body it will start and then cutoff.
any ideas as to what sensor I should begin with??

I am pretty sure its a sensor malfunction I was driving the truck home and lost ALL electrical power the battery basically died but the alternator was charging (the meter was working) after 2hrs someone stopped and I decided to jump the truck it started and ran for about 10mi and I lost all electrical power again. I attempted another jump but the battery was completely gone. I purchased a new battery and the truck would then turnover but will not start. The only clue I have is the daytime running light lens was about 1/2 full of water my best guess is the water shorted the light out killed the battery and killed whatever sensor that is keeping the truck from starting.

patbeechermail · #2 06-07-2009, 03:30 PM

1st thing you say the truck will only turn over unless you put fuel directly into the throttle body, then it starts then it cuts off. This is a fuel delivery problem. You say you have fuel? How did you determine this? Get a fuel pressure testing kit from autozone and see what you got.

ukrkoz · #3 06-07-2009, 04:34 PM

1. READ CODES!!!! borrow, steal, rent scanner, plug it in, and read codes. IT IS THE BEST STARTING POINT.
2. how do you know you have fuel? as if it starts when you put fuel directly into intake, then you don't have it at injectors.
3. fuel regulator?
4. fuel pump?
5. if it starts with fuel forced into intake, then spark and timing is good.
6. check all fuses, esp fuel related ones.
7. take 3mm drill bit and drill several holes in the bottom of the lense, and one at the very top of it. it'll drain and you'll never again have condensate collected inside.
8. if everything fuel wise checks out 100%, it might be your security system throwing a fit. it cuts off fuel supply when it thinks truck is stolen. hey, try removing battery overnight, see what happens next.

jyount · #4 06-07-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

1. READ CODES!!!! borrow, steal, rent scanner, plug it in, and read codes. IT IS THE BEST STARTING POINT.
2. how do you know you have fuel? as if it starts when you put fuel directly into intake, then you don't have it at injectors.
3. fuel regulator?
4. fuel pump?
5. if it starts with fuel forced into intake, then spark and timing is good.
6. check all fuses, esp fuel related ones.
7. take 3mm drill bit and drill several holes in the bottom of the lense, and one at the very top of it. it'll drain and you'll never again have condensate collected inside.
8. if everything fuel wise checks out 100%, it might be your security system throwing a fit. it cuts off fuel supply when it thinks truck is stolen. hey, try removing battery overnight, see what happens next.

If it is security related, it should tell you so on a good scanner, just a code reader wont read codes on the body module, also, some of the older machines, if they had a security system problem, you could leave the key on for 10 minutes and it would reset the security system for that key cycle, ie, get somewhere better to park it.
Most likely it is your fuel pump, do you hear it?
If not, have someone crank it while you hit the bottom of the tank with a 3lb hammer (don't worry, its plastic) sometimes when the pump is froze up, you can do this to jar it a little and get you home for now, but it will freeze up again and you can usually only get by with this about 3 or 4 times before the pump just plain wont work....

j cAT · #5 06-07-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsm78

I have 4.3L Silverado 2001. There is spark and fuel but the truck just turns over. If I put fuel into the throttle body it will start and then cutoff.
any ideas as to what sensor I should begin with??

I am pretty sure its a sensor malfunction I was driving the truck home and lost ALL electrical power the battery basically died but the alternator was charging (the meter was working) after 2hrs someone stopped and I decided to jump the truck it started and ran for about 10mi and I lost all electrical power again. I attempted another jump but the battery was completely gone. I purchased a new battery and the truck would then turnover but will not start. The only clue I have is the daytime running light lens was about 1/2 full of water my best guess is the water shorted the light out killed the battery and killed whatever sensor that is keeping the truck from starting.

the electrical problem you had was corrected ???....now the vehicle just cranks,,,,no start ....but with fuel into the throttle body it starts then dies...this would most likely be low fuel pressure,,,,,if the pressure is correct it is possible it is the ECT....this if not reporting the correct engine temp will cause this problem with no DTC as well as low fuel pressure..

bsm78 · #6 06-08-2009, 09:31 AM

To all I appreciate the good advice from you. I am going to check fuel pressure. I let you know. Thanks again!!

bsm78 · #7 06-08-2009, 01:22 PM

Fuel pressure reads and holds at 50psi any other ideas?? My next check will be the coolant sensor. Thanks again for the info!

ukrkoz · #8 06-08-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsm78

Fuel pressure reads and holds at 50psi any other ideas?? My next check will be the coolant sensor. Thanks again for the info!

you tried to pull a spark plug out and look at it? if it's drenched in gas, good luck..
also, if you have good fuel, good spark, good timing - but no start unless fuel is directly injected into the cc-s, then i'd safely assume fuel is not getting past injectors. which i am anot sure injectors have seperate fuses or not, but if not - your ECM is bad, or BCM thinks car's been stolen, and cuts off fuel pump. like i told before.
how long did you have that fuel pressure running?

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troub...042603a_04.htm

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/faqs/l/aa042603a_1.htm

this should help.

why don't you read the codes?????????????????????????????

j cAT · #9 06-08-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsm78

Fuel pressure reads and holds at 50psi any other ideas?? My next check will be the coolant sensor. Thanks again for the info!

ya the fuel pump is bad....the spec is 53-62 psi.....when a new delphi pump is installed/fuel filter/and fuel pump relay you will have 60 psi...this is the norm most will get...if you check your fuel pressure every year you will find it gradually drops ...53 psi is the reading that says time to find a good deal on a new dephi pump....maybe a dealership going under in you area is willing to part with one for a big discount...

bsm78 · #10 06-08-2009, 11:32 PM

I checked codes w/ a scanner, truck is/was throwing every code possible MAF, ECT, TPS... you name it. Fuel pressure held steady at 50+ psi for 5min or more. I replaced a badly worn distributor and rotor + spark plugs, samething, truck turns over no start, then A TPS sensor as this was the first code the scanner came back with. I checked all fuel related fuses they all read fine. I hate to say it but I think the next stop is load it on a trailer and take to the dealer. AARGG.... this will be the 1st vehical I have ever owned and could not get to run. I kind of hate to give up, but I have many great car heads here and with me and dispite our best effort notta...nothin. I am truely grateful for everyones time and effort in this regard.

j cAT · #11 06-08-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsm78

I checked codes w/ a scanner, truck is/was throwing every code possible MAF, ECT, TPS... you name it. Fuel pressure held steady at 50+ psi for 5min or more. I replaced a badly worn distributor and rotor + spark plugs, samething, truck turns over no start, then A TPS sensor as this was the first code the scanner came back with. I checked all fuel related fuses they all read fine. I hate to say it but I think the next stop is load it on a trailer and take to the dealer. AARGG.... this will be the 1st vehical I have ever owned and could not get to run. I kind of hate to give up, but I have many great car heads here and with me and dispite our best effort notta...nothin. I am truely grateful for everyones time and effort in this regard.

the fuel pump is bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!! low fuel pressure...

bsm78 · #12 06-09-2009, 11:13 PM

Well, thanks to everyones help my truck is running once again

. It was in fact low fuel pressure. I had a hard time forking over the dough for a new pump (not thinking 1 or 2 psi of fuel pressure would make that much difference but it did!!) I still do NOT understand why I would lose electrical power at the same time the pump quit and then to jump start the truck and ride for 10 more miles and lose ALL electrical power again. I understand the fuel pump may have made enough pressure to get me 10 miles down the road and then quit again but the loss of electrical power has me at a loss. If anyone has any ideas as to this symptom I would love to hear it/them!! Thanks for all of the great info!!!

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