Please help diagnose problem....
 

2001 Chevy Silverado with the 350, 4wd. This truck has been work pretty hard, about 120K miles on it now.

It started overheating some. Then got to where it wouldn't start. It would hit a few times then go dead.

Replaced the fuel filter and it didn't help.

Replaced the catalytic converters and then it started working fine for a few days and quit overheating. Then this morning itwouldn't crankagain. It has never gone dead while running, but just won't start up.

I noticed the water level was a little low so I added some water to it, and it magically cranked up and ran like a new one yet again.

So I took it out to work some and now it's sitting in the woods dead. Doing the same thing it was originally doing. Will kind-of crank up, turn over a few times and then go dead. Sometimes it works perfectly. I'm sure it's probably some sensor, but any idea which one? This truck is in a town in the middle of nowhere and the nearest dealership is almost 100 miles away. Thanks in advance.

-Wes

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

Wow..... that stinks man. Sorry to here that. Argon should be able to help you out with that. He'll probably see this in the morning sometime. It's way over my head.

About the engine though, it's either got a 4.8(294ci), 5.3(327ci), or 6.0(???ci). They switched to these in 99 and ever since.

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

It's really my father-in-law's truck. He said it had a 350 is why I said that. He knows very little about cars, and the 1 or 2 mechanics in that little town aren't too much help either.

The only thing I can think is that maybe when it got hot a few times, the sensor got stuck to where it says it's too hot, so it shuts itself off as soon as it starts up. Can anyone tell me where that sensor is, so I can relay the info to him? I'm not down there anymore.

Or, is there some way to re-set the computer, like turning the key on and off 3 times or something. If it would get the truck started he could at least get it home. Thanks all.

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

you can reset the computer by unhooking the battery for a while, otherwise this one has me scratching my head.
Also, they switched to the 4.8 5.3 6.0 in 2001, as late as 2000 it could still have the 350

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

I have already tried unhooking thebattery for awhile and it didn't make any difference. I thought maybe there was some other way to re-boot the computer. Thanks.

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

rrriiigghhtt..... that's why your 99 has a 5.3 in it right?

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

yeah, and my 2000 gmc has a 350, they switched to the newer engine in the half tons in 1999, yet they left the body and engine set up the same in the 3/4 and one ton pickups until 2001

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

i would go with the starter the brushes inside might be pulling to much draw as you cycle the key it would fire up, try tapping it with a hammer dont smash it is a perment magnet starter and you will break if if you beat on it

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

2 things...fuel pressure or theft deterrent..

whith it dead,you need to see if its getting fuel pressure....about 50 psi.

most likely I think though..is theft..the truck "thinks" its being stolen..it will fire up,but immediately die.It'll have to be checked with a scanner to know for sure though

RE: Please help diagnose problem....
 

I was having a problem similar to this with my 01. Would crank then fire and then die. Turned out it was the relay for my fuel pump i just swaped it out with the relay from the daytime running lights and it started right up. Not saying this is the same problem mine has never overheated or anything like that just a suggestion.