Engine shuts off while driving, will start again after a few minutes?

2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

160,000 MILES • 5.3L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

HOFF139

MEMBER
14 POSTS

I was driving my truck one afternoon and, at a relatively slow speed, the truck shut off. No sputtering or anything, just shut off. When I tried to start it back up, I was having to really work the throttle to keep it running and was really having a hard time getting it to regulate and stay running. After sitting for a few minutes, it started backing up and had no issue. This has happened at slow speeds, stop and go traffic, cruising at 75 MPH, and it will just shut off. It will crank right after but just won’t work right unless I let it sit for a couple of minutes. It usually lasts longer in the morning heading into work, even making the whole trip, but will have this issue in the heat of the day heading home. No lights or indications on the dash of an issue. I have not been able to plug in a scan tool yet to see if there are any codes. Recent work includes a camshaft position sensor back in 2021 and new spark plugs at that time too. It sat for a while between last summer to March and needed a new battery and starter to get it back running. Ran through the tank of gas since it has been running and am on second tank with a fuel additive. When it is running, it seems to have no issue at all. I can count on it to shut off at least once a day and it usually runs just fine after. And ideas and testing you recommend would be greatly appreciated!

May 31, 2023 at 1:47 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,240 POSTS

Hi,

What you described sounds like a failing crankshaft position sensor. When they begin to fail, they are adversely affected by heat. When they have time to cool, they work again.

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if anything seems to mirror what you experience:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let me know.

Joe

Jun 1, 2023 at 4:23 PM

HOFF139

MEMBER
14 POSTS

For my issue, I don’t think this line up. The issue will occur at highway speed more than idle. It just shuts off, not the misfire symptoms. The other morning, it stalled out, I coasted to the side of the road. Cranked it immediately to see if I could better describe the symptoms and it started right up and was good for the rest of the trip. This morning when it stalled. Through in neutral while coasting to see if it would start right back up, it did not turn over at all. Off to the side of the road and waited thirty seconds and it was good to go. No issues for the rest of the trip. I also just replaced the crank shat sensor 2 years ago. And on the way home from work today, no symptoms at all even with a good bit of traffic. I am just at a loss. Thanks for the help and of you think I should pursue the crankshaft sensor, let me know.

Jun 2, 2023 at 3:07 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,240 POSTS

Hi,

When it shuts off, does it act like the key was turned off or do you feel a power loss as if you are running out of fuel? Have you checked for diagnostic trouble codes?

If you haven't, I recommend doing that.

Here is a link showing it being done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know.

joe

Jun 3, 2023 at 2:06 PM

HOFF139

MEMBER
14 POSTS

Sorry for the delay but no trouble codes. Yes, it is like the key turned off. No codes and battery is good as well as alternator is still charging it well.

Aug 20, 2023 at 12:11 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,240 POSTS

Hi,

Do me a favor. When it stalls, pay attention to if the tachometer drops right before it stalls. At this point, I'm not sure what is happening, but based on your description, it sounds like it is ignition related. If it was fuel related, I would suspect the engine to slowly stall, or you would notice a progressive power loss.

Let me know. Also, let me know if you have a live data scan tool.

Take care,

Joe

Aug 20, 2023 at 12:12 PM

HOFF139

MEMBER
14 POSTS

I was finally able to drive the truck again today and it was driving good until it shut off again. No loss of power leading up to it shutting off. It just stopped. This was while sitting idling. That time started back up and headed towards the house. Slow cruise through the neighborhood and it shut off again. This time it will not turn back over. Cranks, no problem. Just won’t turn on. I did get an obdII reader that can monitor live data and I was recording data when it shut off. Nothing fancy but can try to interpret with your guidance. Thanks again for the help.

Oct 13, 2023 at 11:16 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,240 POSTS

Hi,

If you can read live data, do this. When it stalls and won't restart, using live data, check to see if there is an RPM signal present when cranking.

If it starts, check the short-term fuel trims, and let me know what they are. This will need to be done at operating temperature.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Oct 13, 2023 at 1:42 PM

HOFF139

MEMBER
14 POSTS

Well yesterday with it shutting off, it finally threw a code for crankshaft position sensor(P0335). The shrtft 1,2,11,21 all bounce around from like a -3.6 to 2.6 while sitting at idles and the highest I saw was a 7.6 when accelerating. Shrtft 12 and 22 sit at 99.2. Truck is running right now so can’t answer the rpm question. I think I can replace that crankshaft position sensor free due too lifetime warranty when I bought it so we will see.

Oct 13, 2023 at 10:37 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,240 POSTS

Hi,

Certainly, the crankshaft position sensor should be replaced. As far as the fuel trims, 99.2% is an issue. The computer is trying to add a lot of fuel due to a lean fuel mixture. So, here is what I suggest. Let's get the crankshaft position sensor replaced. Then, clear all codes and drive it. See if the light comes back on. I don't feel the sensor is causing the lean mixture, but anything is possible.

Do this and let me know the results.

Joe

Oct 15, 2023 at 6:31 AM

HOFF139

MEMBER
14 POSTS

It has been running good with no stalls since the sensor was replaced. Did monitor live data and still has those high fuel trims but does not seem to impact functionality of the vehicle. Let me know if there is anything else I should look into. Thanks for the help.

Jan 18, 2024 at 7:35 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,240 POSTS

Hi,

If the fuel trims are at 99%, either we aren't getting enough fuel (weak pump) or there is a vacuum leak. It could also be related to an exhaust leak pre-cat.

If it is running good, keep an eye on the trims to see if there is a change. If there isn't, let me know and we'll figure it out.

Take care and thanks for the update.

Joe

Jan 19, 2024 at 6:09 AM

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