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1993 Suburban

Tiny
CZR1760
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
I have a 1993 Chevy Suburban 1500 2-wd. A few days ago the truck would sputter under acceleration, worse with harder acceleration. This progressed to truck running so rough even under no load that it stalled and would restart. I replaced the fuel filter, but problem remained. Then while driving yesterday same problem, but then engine reved, but truck wouldn't go. I tried shifting gears, but truck still wouldn't go. I was able to coast into a parking lot. Once in lot, truck would go into any gear. After shutting off, truck would not start. Truck makes wierd noise upon trying to start as if starter is spinnig, but that's it. Nothing else turns over. I don't know if these problems are related or not. Please help.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:08 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
How long since a tune-up? Any applicable mil codes? The engine isn't siezed, is it? The engine isn't cranking? Might be a problem with flywheel? Need more info.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
CZR1760
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The truck is a V-8 with 295,000 miles, tuned up last year. I don't know if the engine is siezed, how can I tell? Truck is from AL, just moved back to Ohio (& winter, don't know if that has anything to do with it. Haven't had a chance to look at it too closely, having it towed to the house today. I did have similar problem (sluggish acceleration) when I visited, to Ohio last Christmas so I changed out the fuel filter then and had no further problems. Thanks for any help. It does sound as if starter is spinning, but nothing else turns when trying to start.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
JDL
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Try to turn the crank by hand. You can remove all spark plugs and accessory belt/s. Makes engine easier to turn. You can remove flywheel cover, use tool on flywheel teeth, might be easier to turn. What ever is easiest for you. Also, check flywheel teeth. Maybe starter isn't kicking out the pinion gear?
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
CZR1760
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I'll take a look at it once I have it at home. Once I can verify if the engine is siezed or not, what might be the path to head down next? I thought this problem was just performance (sputtering, missing), but now it seemed to be transmission too.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
JDL
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If the starter is spinning but the engine doesn't turn over, does the engine turn-over? Crankshaft pulley and belt/s move when cranking? I couldn't tell what you meant by starter spinning? It is possible for starter to spin and not engage the flywheel. Maybe I misunderstood?
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
CZR1760
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  • 49 POSTS
The engine does not turn over. Flywheel, belts nothing moving. It sounds as if the starter is spinning, but I haven't verified if it's engaging. I believe that it's the starter anyway. This is the only noise while trying to start (crank) the engine.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
JDL
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If the pinion gear isn't kicking out, I suspect the starter. Some of the national brand autostores will test the starter for you.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
CZR1760
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  • 49 POSTS
After looking in to it, I found that the flywheel is broken. I'll have to install a new flywheel before trying to solve the sputtering & acceleration problems.
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Monday, February 7th, 2011 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
CZR1760
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I installed a new flywheel and now I'm back to the sputtering problems. When the problem origanally started it was very intermittent. The truck would sputter and lunge under normal acceleration and you would need to lightly feather the gas to go. Since that time the truck has only gotten worse. Now the truck does not even idle very well in park or neutral and sometimes dies and then is very hard to restart. It will try to stall as soon as you put it under load (in gear) as well. The check engine light is not on, by the way. I have repalced the fuel filter and checked for any intake leak, found nothing. Any help is much appreciated.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2011 AT 1:59 AM
Tiny
JDL
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You may need to clean the throttle-body. Use a gage and check fuel pressure. How long since a tune-up?
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Thursday, February 24th, 2011 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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A tune up was done last year. I'll need to get a gauge to check fuel pressure. I was also reading another post and I'm going to check the oil pressure too. That post suggested that if the pressure was too low that would act as a fuel pressure cut off. I don't believe that the oil pressure gauge on the dash is not very accurate.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2011 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
JDL
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No, oil pressure won't kill it, unless the engine sizes. With GM vehicles that have an oil pressure switch in the fuel pump circuit, that switch is wired in parallel with the fuel pump relay. One can't effect the other. If the engine won't start because of the oil pressure switch, you have more than one problem.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2011 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
CZR1760
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Got it. According to the other post response, low oil pressure would cause the oil pressure switch to trigger and act as a fuel pressure cut off. I've just got to narrow down each thing, one at a time.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2011 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
JDL
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I understand, do what you have to do. Have a good day.
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Thursday, February 24th, 2011 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
CZR1760
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  • 49 POSTS
I changed the oil, but didn't seem to make a difference. Fuel pump was working and fuel was spraying into throttle body, but truck would not start at all. I cleaned the throttle body and installed a new cap and rotor (old cap looked worn). Truck fired right up and is running great! Hope this post will help someone else in the future.
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-1
Monday, February 28th, 2011 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
JDL
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Good job
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Monday, February 28th, 2011 AT 6:08 PM

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