Won't Start

Tiny
LYISRAEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
Computer problemV8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 120000 miles

I have a suburban, wonderful truck. Don't drive it much, but when I do there is problems. Here we go. Replaced the fuel pump in 2007, started having incremently starting so I took it to another mechanic. The mechanic changed out the fuel injectors, the truck ran fine, then the starting problems started again and the mechanic said it would be best to just change the fuel pump to be sure we received a new fuel pump instead of a used pump. The truck ran fine for about 6-8 months, here we go again starting problems. We played around with the battery got new battery post and battery cables, car drove for a few weeks. Starting problems again, so now its the distributor. The car sat for about 3 weeks, driven a min. Of 3 days during the 3 weeks, now the car will not start. I have tried adding more fuel, turning the ignition switch off and on, and now my mechanic states I need a Power Control Module? How can I be sure this is the problem? Any suggestions, PLEASE HELP !
Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 2:28 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome, when the problem occurs, your saying it cranks good, but, won't start? I can tell you to check the basics when it refuses to start. Have a helper crank it, while you check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark, use a gage and check fuel pressure. I can't overrule your mechanic, they can do actual testing on your vehicle, I can't.

The vehicle probably needs to be started every day and let it reach operating temp.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
BSNAR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have had several issues with starting my 1999 suburban v-8 I replaced battery which helped some- It seems the engine would not start after sitting overnight-It would crank over but not start I took it to a chevrolet dealer and they charged me $600 to change out the fuel pump located in the fuel tank--It started fine for a couple of months and then started the same problem over again-- I noticed that when I would go to start the car in the morning the voltage meter on the dash was only reading 10 volts, I hooked up a battery charger and after a couple of minutes of charging the engine would fire right up--once the engine was running the volt meter on dash would go to 14 volts which told me the altenator was charging--it is obvious that the battery is losing its surface charge --why?--I checked to see if there was a draw at battery but did'nt detect one-- I still hav'nt located real problem but feel the surface draw must be coming from the altenator when engine is off or from control module the battery I purchased was from battery plus it is now one year old and is the best battery they have for this car it cost over $200--I hate to just start buying replacement parts and guessing what the problem is but I do know I can't keep paying someone $600 and not have it fixed--anyone have ideas--if I do find the correct fix I will post--thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,756 POSTS
It sounds like you have a bad battery can I ask which brand you have?

Here is a load test you can do while using the car as a tester.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 4th, 2019 AT 3:45 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links