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Chevy Express/GMC Savana: Starting/Stalling Problems

46 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 1:15 PM

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#26 of 46 Hesitation and/or engine cutout by bakrdr Mar 15, 2007 (7:29 pm)
I have a '97 Chevy 1 ton van that had a starting problem repaired two years ago with the replacement of the injector pump computer. It ran fine for some time after that, but then would begin to cut out, acting somewhat like it was running out of fuel. If you shut down for an hour or so, you could sometimes drive 100 miles before it would hesitate again. Often I could use it for short trips for days with no problems whatsoever. I have replaced the fuel lift pump, pump relay, and jumpered the wires on the oil pressure sender in an effort to see if the culprit was in fuel delivery, but to no avail. Wondering if anyone else has had such a problem, and what was the cure. Replies to this message: uncled (Oct 04, 2007 5:27 am) radumas45 (Oct 26, 2007 6:26 pm)
#27 of 46 Vans that start and then fail by lmfh Jun 07, 2007 (2:58 am)
Hi! I am new to the forum and absolutely NOT new to this problem. I own a 1999 Savana Van Conversion and starting the year after I bought it, this problem began. First time was on vacation (go figure)and only intermittently after that. Then as it aged, it began doing it in humid weather. (I live in sunny AZ, so I could always tell when my ride was going to play games with me)Again, as the van aged, it started to happen in humidity, in the sun,after driving it, while parked overnight...you name it. I have been to dealers, mechanics, everyone but the voodoo lady and they all scratched their heads. So I did some research on Chevy/GMC bulletins and the mechanics websites. (EVIL MUSIC) They did know about this and we are not alone. Its the revamped PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM that got redesigned in the mid 90s. Bad news is there is no fix because they just sat on it until they did another redesign of the system after 2003. This is really the only thing you can do to get your car stated again, and it will start. When your engine fails, turn it off for about a minute. Then turn the key until the security light comes on. Let it sit in that position for 10-15 minutes at which time the security light will go off. Now crank her over and she will go! Works every time, you just gotta be patient. Sorry the post is so long and good luck to you all. Replies to this message: speedzone3 (Dec 10, 2007 9:35 pm) lmfh (Jan 05, 2008 3:05 pm) speedzone3 (Jan 05, 2008 9:28 pm)
#28 of 46 Vans that start and then fail by lmfh Jun 07, 2007 (3:35 am)
Whoa,new info on the web,involving lots of detective work!   <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3828/is_200511/ai_n15871185>
#29 of 46 Re: Hesitation and/or engine cutout [bakrdr] by uncled Oct 04, 2007 (5:27 am)
Replying to: bakrdr (Mar 15, 2007 7:29 pm) Here's my solution, but first a little background: 2000 Chevy express 3500 w/5.7. Problem first presented on cool, damp morning. Engine started normally and I drove about 2 miles (engine was still cold at this point) then lost all engine power. Coasted to a stop to find engine was still running at a VERY poor idle & exhaust had strong sulfur smell. After idling for about 10 minutes it cleared up, ran normally again and was good the rest of the day. Next morning (again cool & damp) would not start at all. That afternoon started normally. The next day no start at all.   I replaced the cap & rotor and with the doghouse still removed I cranked the engine but it still would not start. However, now I could see the high voltage leak from the coil tower to the body and frame of the coil: sometimes jumping an air gap of an inch or more. Although you couldn't see it, there must have been a crack in the insulation or plastic housing of the coil.   So the rest of the story is rather than the voltage getting to the plugs, the high humidity was creating a much shorter pathway to ground. A new coil fixed my problem. Oh, and my parts guy told me he sells A LOT of those. Replies to this message: radumas45 (Oct 26, 2007 6:26 pm)
#30 of 46 Re: Won't Stay Started [kderda] by buffer1 Oct 10, 2007 (9:22 am)
Replying to: kderda (Jan 18, 2007 1:10 pm) Hi, I too have a van that does the same thing yours does, sometimes it just turns over but won't start. If we let it sit for 24hrs it would usually start up again. Except for this last time when we tried to start it after it sat for a while it would crank but not start!!! ugh!! we have taken it in and they cannot reproduce the problem, so of course have no idea what the heck is happening. So if you or anyone has had an answer to this problem I would to hear about it. Thanks Replies to this message: uncled (Oct 10, 2007 1:39 pm)
#31 of 46 Re: Won't Stay Started [buffer1] by uncled Oct 10, 2007 (1:39 pm)
Replying to: buffer1 (Oct 10, 2007 9:22 am) Like I said, replacing the ignition coil solved my problem. Its insulation must have been compromised and in cool, damp conditions you could literally watch the high voltage discharge jump directly to ground, which made it kind of tough for any spark to get to the plugs. Your mechanic may not have been able to reproduce your symptoms if the windy ride on a tow truck or sitting in a warm dry repair shop dried out your engine compartment.
#32 of 46 Re: Hesitation and/or engine cutout [uncled] by radumas45 Oct 26, 2007 (6:26 pm)
Replying to: uncled (Oct 04, 2007 5:27 am) I had the same on my 2001 savana slt.after many trips I was told by my mechanic the 5.7 have a newly redesind rotor cap with more ventilation (moisture escape ).That solved the miss and sputtering on damp days.I also fixed the running motor that would just quit on me.back roads or hiways .they changed the throtle body. Both expensive labor charges but it's been running like a slt should. (radumas45)
#33 of 46 Re: Won't Stay Started [westdeer] by indyrt Nov 25, 2007 (3:33 pm)
Replying to: westdeer (Oct 23, 2006 5:10 am) I am learning that the computer box corrodes and gets moisture in it. I think this is what happened to me.... My gauges and trans we're acting up. I pulled the box and it had a hole in it W/ moisture inside it. I just swapped it out... Replies to this message: ahoron (Dec 10, 2007 4:24 pm)
#34 of 46 Re: Won't Stay Started [indyrt] by ahoron Dec 10, 2007 (4:24 pm)
Replying to: indyrt (Nov 25, 2007 3:33 pm) 2000 savana 5.7l had in the shop for tires. Shop said hard start is due to corroded ecm or fuel pump. I replaced the fuel pump twice already It takes about 30 seconds to start but doesn't happen all the time. I replaced the fuel pump twice already. Is it worth $100 to change the ecm?just looking for some advice or recommendations thanks
#35 of 46 Re: Vans that start and then fail [lmfh] by speedzone3 Dec 10, 2007 (9:35 pm)
Replying to: lmfh (Jun 07, 2007 2:58 am) Have you ever resolved your starting issues? We have a 2002 Chevy Savana Van that won't start once or twice a day. Van is in great shape but is our work vehicle. If we follow you instructions above it starts every time. However we cannot wait 20 minutes everytime it won't start between jobs. Can't get it to do it when we take it in to GMC. We are exasperated and running out of money trying to resolve. Please share if you have fixed yours. Replies to this message: lmfh (Jan 05, 2008 3:05 pm) speedzone3 (Jan 05, 2008 9:28 pm)

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