Suburban starting problems

[Ken F]

I am away on business for a couple of weeks and wouldn't you know it, my wife called to tell me that our 2004 Suburban won't start leaving her without transportation. The darn thing sounds like it is going to turn over, but it never does. Any suggestion? We had this happen once before when the fuel level dropped to 1/4 tank, but I suspected a vapor lock, added more fuel and let it sit for an hour and it started. No luck this time, but the fuel is low again.

[LRon]

It may be a bad fuel pump. Some have success in getting a pump going again by rapping on the bottom of the fuel tank with something like a rubber mallet to kind of "kick start" the pump again. Worth a try if you can instruct here on the phone where the tank is. Once it's started, she may be ok until you get back by keeping the tank close to full.

[Mike Walsh]

I drove my 2004 Suburban under the dealers canopy to have my On-Star upgraded and then it wouldn't start. They replaced a cluster that included the ignition power something or other. A week later while driving down a busy street on the inside lane the truck just stopped cold. I tried to start it and finally it almost started, the display stated low engine power and I creeped at less than walking pace off the road. The dealer towed it in and i'm driving my wife's Jeep Cherokee. My truck has 30,000 miles and has been serviced every 3,000 miles.

[Doug Hooper]

I have a 1997 Suburban. It has a 350, 4wd 1500. It has had an ongoing cold start problem that is progressivly getting worse. However, after it starts, it runs fine which leaves me to believe that the fuel pump is ok. I recently had a full tune up including plug wires. This morning she was a no go at all. I gave a shot of starting fluid to the air cleaner and it fired right up. It was just fine after that and restarted without incident??????????

[Karen]

Ok, funny enough, I may have an answer. My 98 suburban was doing all those things above and even completely shut off on a major interstate in 2006. What I found out is that on some models there was a recall for the fuel pump because the housing does not totally protect some kind of wiring and if the wiring indicats that moisture has penetrated the unit then it shuts off to keep from causing the fuel to ignite in the gas tank. We replaced the fuel pump (with a GM of course) only to have it happen again. Our mechanics solution was to replace the fuel pump with another brand made for commercial trucks but worked on the suburban. Again, the recall was not for a 98 but you could look under recalls through GMC or Chevy in other years and you'll probably find it listed.

[Willow]

My 2003 Z71 suburban always delays in starting once the fuel is at 1/4 tank. Two years ago I had the fuel module replaced for $700, but the problem was never fixed.

Ken F wrote:

I am away on business for a couple of weeks and wouldn't you know it, my wife called to tell me that our 2004 Suburban won't start leaving her without transportation. The darn thing sounds like it is going to turn over, but it never does. Any suggestion? We had this happen once before when the fuel level dropped to 1/4 tank, but I suspected a vapor lock, added more fuel and let it sit for an hour and it started. No luck this time, but the fuel is low again.

[Derrick]

I have a 2002 Suburban. The display (odometer)works something. Any suggestions....

[Tim]

I have a 2002 chevy suburban 2500 (6.0L). Once every 2-3 months I will get in to go somewhere and it will not start. The engine will turn over, but will not start. After turning the ignition 30-50 times, it will start. ( Don't know if that is just coincidence or not). Replaced fuel pump after the second time, but did it again (6 more times) over the last year.