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Engine stalls while driving?

Tiny
SHIBOY
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
5.3L -102,000 miles. Several problems, however I will start with the major problem of stalling while driving. First started noticing problem when I drove it to Phoenix (hot) a week ago. The vehicle will eventually start back up after a couple of minutes, runs fine for ten to twenty miles, then same thing. This is all in the day time of eighty five plus degrees, notice at night time it runs fine with out stalls. Is something overheating? The stall usually happens when you demand a little more acceleration, then idle speed drops below 1000 then turns off.

I took it into the dealer shop with no bad checks, all is well I am told, no SES light. Changed spark plugs, change air filter to K&N, fuel system clean process. Checked transmission fluids.

Other problems; Speedometer not working, Bose stereo system works when it wants to, Service air-bags light comes on at random.

Some say it is the fuel pump going bad, I had that replaced several months back. Would daytime heat play a roll in malfunctioning in the pump?
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Sunday, May 28th, 2006 AT 9:04 AM

41 Replies

Tiny
NATERZR2
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I had a similar problem, but was more random stalling. I have a 1999 Tahoe with the 5.7L V8. Common problem with this engine was the "crankshaft positioning sensor" I chased this stalling problem for two years, and about $3,000.00, and the code never came up when they ran it under the computer. Changed the $80.00 part and she runs like a dream. May be worth checking out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

This is where I got mine.
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Friday, June 2nd, 2006 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
THINKOFWHY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Shiboy, I have got the exact same problem stalls when driving in hot weather after the engine temperature goes past vertical, about ten to fifteen minutes. Then it restarts after five to ten minutes, but stalls again, and again. But it runs fine if the weather is cool or overcast. Replacing the ignition module did not help, and I do not want to spend thousands of dollars to replace all suspect parts. I thinking it is the mass air flow sensor (MAF). Something that heats up in hot weather yet is not directly related to engine temperature. Have not figured it out yet. :(
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Saturday, July 29th, 2006 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
The 5.3's had a TSB on a leaking fuel pressure regulator. While this may not be the problem, it is worth checking.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2006 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Hello,

I think it could be a fuel pump relay though this guide can help the location is int he diagrams below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
POPPS42
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
V8 two wheel drive automatic 103,000 miles.

My SUV will just turn-off while I am driving. Mostly when I begin to apply the brakes or sometimes when I try to accelerate from a neutral position. What can cause this problem? I already replaced the battery, alternator, fuel pump, and it still shuts off. Any suggestions? I do not want to replace parts I do not need to. Please help!
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum. If the vehicle shuts off when you step on the brake, it may be a closed throttle issue. You could take the throttle-body off and give it a cleaning, remove the sensors. Make sure any IAC passages are clear. Have the codes checked, if there are any.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GONZALESRM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Battery drained, replaced battery. When car started had to run it for ten minutes parked before I could actually drive off because the car kept stalling. Drove the car home forty five miles on the freeway and this morning it started up fine, but keeps stalling out. It turns right over after stalling but will not stay on to drive for very long.

Side note, before this happened not sure if its related, but when you would make a left turn the car would stall out occasionally particularly when it was cold. That could be throttle body issue correct?
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Anytime the battery is disconnected the security system has to be reset. See picture.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWNL3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
V8 two wheel drive automatic 65,000 miles.

Please help! My SUV starts fine but then shuts off five to ten seconds later. It sputters before it shuts off. This problem occurs when my truck is idling. Weird!
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try cleaning out the idle air control valve and see what happens.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EBREAU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 137,000 MILES
Lost power(not electrical) of engine, now will start and stay running for like five seconds and then will no start again for an hour. Put in $40.00 of fuel same day it happened earlier in the day.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Test your fuel pressure with a gauge. Sounds like fuel pump is bad. It needs minimum of 55 psi to run.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
68,000 miles.

Hello! I need a little help here figuring out what happened. I had my car doors open and radio playing while cleaning out my car. Afterwards, it would not start. I thought must be the battery, tried jumper cables, but it was so weak that did not work. Took the battery to the store and had it recharged. Now the car will turn on, but within five minutes it completely shuts off. Thought maybe the alternator went bad, replaced it today, but it is still shutting off while driving. Right before shutting down, the car shakes a little bit and I hear a little knocking sound coming from the engine area. Also, I am overdue for an oil change, do not know it that has anything at all to do with whats going on. Thanks for any advice you can provide.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Try having the battery tested, might have a bad cell in it.

Check fuel filter and fuel pump also may not getting proper fuel, explaining the knocking.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks Blackop555! Had the battery checked, and it is good, so I will check the fuel filter/pump.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KPH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
V8 two wheel drive automatic 118,000 miles.

My SUV keeps shutting of for trying to shut off when in idle. My check engine light came on and we had it tested and it said suspected mass air flow sensor so we had that replaced but the problem still persist. The only thing is it only happens when it is cold outside (forty five or below) the light goes off and it works fine when it is warm! I am wondering if anyone has any idea what this could be?
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, what was the actual code? The code will not tell you what to replace, just the general area, where the system thinks the problem is located.

Without a code, the first thing I would check is the idle system. You need to do some testing before you replace anything.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the coolant temperature sensor/idle air control valve and throttle position sensor.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRIMLORD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,290,000 MILES
I changed the plugs, MA, and MAPS and the SUV still runs rough and then shuts off.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Clean out the idle air control valve and PCV and EGR valves and see what happens.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)

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