Truck stalls while driving?

Tiny
FREDERICK-59
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
I have a 1997 Chevy Silverado C1500 with around 210,000 miles and automatic transmission.

This is kind of a long story, so I am trying to explain it as best possible without being too long.

For quite a while I've had this problem of a hard start where I'd crank it and it would seem to crank normally but wouldn't start. After cranking it another one or two additional times it would start and once it started there were no problems. Although sometimes even when it did start it would vibrate for a few seconds before it smoothed out the idle.

Then, and this is the biggest problem, last September I was using it and it totally shut off while driving. It made a sound that is hard to explain that was loud enough that I thought something physically broke, and I was looking underneath it but didn't 't see anything.

I had it taken to a garage who said that there was no spark coming out of the coil and they recommended changing the distributor, which they did.

When I got it back at first it was working but after a short time, like less than 30 miles, it shut off while driving again. I complained to them, and they ended up changing the distributor again saying it possibly was defective.

It seemed to work after they changed the distributor the second time although it still was starting and after a second shutting off but once started it didn't shut off while driving.

I changed the ignition coil and after that got a code that I don't remember what the number was, but it showed Ignition Coil High Voltage.
There is a mechanic who has been trying to diagnose it, but he says he needs it to stall and not start again but it always starts again.

I wouldn't be surprised if it had more than one problem. For one thing he says the fuel pressure is low. Sometimes when on for quite a while it goes down to 40-45 PSI and it's supposed to be 60-66 PSI. But he has got it to stall out by leaving it on for fairly long periods of time but when it stalls it stalls out fast and he doesn't think that would happen from low fuel pressure. He says if it was stalling because of the fuel pressure it would stall more like when you run out of gas; not like if you just turned the key off.

That's the most of it without making it too long. If you want to know anything else, please feel free to ask.
Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 AT 3:45 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,375 POSTS
Hi,

Without the code, it makes it a little more difficult for me. However, I have to ask. Has anyone checked the crankshaft position sensor? When they start to fail, heat adversely affects them causing a loss of spark to the plugs. As a result, the engine shuts down.

Once it shuts does, it can restart when the sensor cools a bit or simply makes contact again internally.

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if it seems to mirror what you experience. Note: The sensor can fail and not set a code as well.

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

Let me know. Also, if you could have the computer scanned again and let me know the code or codes found, it should help me. Most parts stores will do it free of charge.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,351 POSTS
Here is the location of the sensor so you can check it out. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
FREDERICK-59
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello. Thanks for responding. The code is a P1351. Every time the truck starts but shuts off right away it sets that code. I started seeing that code after changing the ignition coil. But I get the feeling it doesn't have anything to do with the coil.

I read that article and yes, it definitely seems to sound like what is happening. Especially what it says about it doing it when it is hot and not cold.

The crankshaft sensor was replaced about 8 years ago. I'm not sure how long they last and I'm not sure what brand was used.
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Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,351 POSTS
Yep, this is where I would start, these sensors go out. Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
FREDERICK-59
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Actually I have it with a mechanic now but I'm starting to think he isn't going to figure it out. He did let it idle a lot to see if it would stall out and one day it did at least 4to 5 times. But the problem is at least for him it always starts right up again. Would itbdo that if it was the crankshaft sensor?

He did notice that the fuel pressure drops when it is running for a good amount of time like an hour or so. He saw it go down to 40-45 psi but he doesn't think that is what is causing it to shut off rapidly like it does? He says if it was the fuel pump, which he says could be an additional problem, but it would shut off more slowly like when you are running out of gas.

Is there a way to check the crankshaft sensor to know if that is the problem for sure?
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Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,375 POSTS
Hi:

I have to agree with him as far as the fuel pressure, but anything is possible. As far as the crankshaft position sensor, I would try replacing it. Can it be checked? Yes, but it sounds so intermittent, it may test good. It's only a theory, but in my mind, it makes sense.

Note that the sensor isn't difficult to replace. I attached the directions below for you if you would like to do it yourself.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below
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Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
FREDERICK-59
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Will do. Thanks
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Friday, May 3rd, 2024 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
FREDERICK-59
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
HI, I didn't change it yet but I should this week. I am wondering if it is necessary to remove the negative battery cable before doing it like they say? Also some people say after doing that you have to do a crankshaft relearn procederé. Is that true?
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Monday, May 13th, 2024 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,351 POSTS
Yes you can disconnect the battery to be safe, also you should to have to do a sensor relearn on it, it does not say instructions that you will need to.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 AT 9:29 AM

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