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Shlomo Kostenko Posted on Jan 14, 2019
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I need help diagnosing a 2002 Chevy Suburban that won't start.

I have a 2002 Chevy Suburban 1500 5.3L V8, 4WD that won't start. It was working fine two days ago, but the temperature dropped yesterday and I was not able to start it. It cranks and seems to begin starting for a fraction of a second, but won't stay. My suspicion is the fuel pump - my wife says it's been having a harder time starting in the morning, and I suspect that the lower temperature is pushing the pump beyond its limits. I can hear the fuel pump come on when I turn the key, but I’m not sure it’s providing enough pressure. What are my best options to test this and/or other possible causes?

1 Answer

Rigger DeBusk

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  • Chevrolet Master 1,811 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 14, 2019
Rigger DeBusk
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Forget about the fuel pump, completely for now. THAT is not the problem. Think on what you've told on the situation. Been getting worse hard to start as the temperature drops. Now here is the way the system works: Turn the switch on, the computer automatically jumps in to do what it does best, operate your vehicle/engine, by taking the impulses from ALL sensors, and setting the engine to a position that it will start and run properly. One of those impulses come from the temperature sending unit in the engine coolant system and, because it's cold, tells the computer to place the engine into "cold start" mode. Now you crank on the engine and it starts easily, because the temp sensor sent said pulse to the computer. Once the engine is warmed, this sensor sends a pulse telling the computer it is now warm and places the engine into "normal run" mode.
As you can see, this scenario is with everything in proper working order. With your scenario, the engine will not start when cold. Therefore the computer is NOT getting any kind of impulses from the temperature sending unit/sensor. Meaning it's either bad or just disconnected and out of the system. These days you have to at least be as smart as the computer and diagnose things the way I do. Not saying I'm smarter than the computer, just that I outsmart it when needed. Now, Fix your Chevy.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Nov 12, 2008

SOURCE: 200 Chevy Suburban -- trouble starting

Bad fuel pressure regulator. Located on drivers side of engine on fuel rail. Cost of part is around $70. Easy to replace. Buy the part, look at it, find the old one on the engine in the area described above. Pull the vacuum line off of it, if you see any fuel in the vacuum line it's bad. The vacuum line sucks up the fuel flooding the engine. Classic symptoms. Make sure to relieve the fuel pressure prior to removing or let it sit for a couple of hours, or over night. The leak will relieve the pressure over time. Simple clip holds it on, easy to get at. Make sure to remove both "O" rings prior to putting new unit on. Should solve the problem.

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Anonymous

  • 15 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 20, 2008

SOURCE: 1996 neon hard to start when engine is warm

i had the same problem with my fiero the ignition module quits when it gets hot.

John Jon

  • 1114 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 26, 2008

SOURCE: Chevy Suburban won't stay started,

fuel pump relay?? good place to start.

Anonymous

  • 76 Answers
  • Posted on May 27, 2009

SOURCE: CHEVY S10 2002 FUEL RELATED PROBLEM

hello, i have seen a couple jobs like yours, i have found as well as GM that the fuel pump ground can be bad, try to remove ground and reposition on clean steel, no paint , rust or, undercoating. thr wire should come from fuel pump harness and drop down to left rear frame rail! check there first...good luck, marty

kevin_getz

Kevin Getz

  • 1032 Answers
  • Posted on May 05, 2012

SOURCE: Chevy Malibu 2003 cranks but won't start! I know

You might have a defective fuel tank pressure sensor!

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