mechanic help on a 2004 chevy 1500

[stickemhard3]

tried to go to the store on Monday night after the holidays settled down and my truck would not start. It has had an issue with the battery so i bought a new battery. didnt work. Next i have had issues with the fuel lines but fuel injector cleaner has always fixed the issue. The issue was it was acting as if it wanted to die when stopped and would not accelerate when the pedal was pressed, but a little fuel injector cleaner in it and it ran smoothly. Well last night i changed out the fuel filter and still did not help. It is cranking just fine and has even back fired a couple of times, the alternator is working well and the fuel pump is working well. My dad and i are kind of thinking this has to do with the timing on the engine. We researched it on the internet but have found things that need to be troubleshot with the engine running but are going to hook it up to a computer if we can find one tonight. I was wondering has anyone else with this model had a similar issue or does a mechanic possible has a little deeper insight to possible root cause. Thanks in advance for any help.

[JimGates]

Is the check engine light on?

[bwssr]

control module or coil could even be the cap and rotor...how many miles?....Plugs ever been changed?

[JimGates]

2004 dont have cap and rotors. I was thinking fuel pressure is low.

[Airtech]

Find someway to get a fuel pressure reading at the port on the fuel rail. May have to get it to a shop if you cannot borrow the proper type of gauge. Minumum pressure is 55psi with key on engine off assuming this is a 5.3L. If you open the throttle plate by hand since this is an electronic controlled unit, add some carb cleaner into the plenum. If it then fires but goes dead, fuel is not being delivered to the injectors. Have fire extinguisher close by just for safety. Fuel pump failure is common on these. Just a little under minumum pressure will definetly cause problems on these trucks. I am assuming you did cycle the key on and off after changing the filter. It has to reprime the system, which will run only about 2 seconds each time the key is turned on unless the engine fires.

[tx07]

2004 dont have cap and rotors. I was thinking fuel pressure is low.

They don't? Then why do they make or sell them then?
http://www.google.com/search?q=2004+...iw=768&bih=928

Anyways, it could be any number of things going on.
First is the check engine light on.
If so get a code scanner and do a check.
If the light is not on then you need to check and see if your ignition is firing on each cylinder.
If you find it is firing on each. Do a test using starting fluid or carb cleaner and see of you can keep it running with the can. If you can you have narrowed it down to a fuel issue.
If that is what you narrowed it down to. I would start with the fuel pressure regulator. They do not go out often. But the symptoms your having match what a bad fuel pressure regulator can cause

[Brown County Man]

i had the same issues. Clean the throttle real good and use a whole can of cleaner. It is not recommended to use carb cleaner but throttle cleaner. not sure if there really is a difference besides the price. A lot f the chevy sights recommend a tank of premium. Believe it or not that has fixed most of my problems with the chevy. I just do it once in ever 5 or 6

[stickemhard3]

Is the check engine light on?

sometimes yes and sometimes no.

[stickemhard3]

i had the same issues. Clean the throttle real good and use a whole can of cleaner. It is not recommended to use carb cleaner but throttle cleaner. not sure if there really is a difference besides the price. A lot f the chevy sights recommend a tank of premium. Believe it or not that has fixed most of my problems with the chevy. I just do it once in ever 5 or 6

I will def try this out. seems cheap and easy with possibly good results.

[stickemhard3]

Find someway to get a fuel pressure reading at the port on the fuel rail. May have to get it to a shop if you cannot borrow the proper type of gauge. Minumum pressure is 55psi with key on engine off assuming this is a 5.3L. If you open the throttle plate by hand since this is an electronic controlled unit, add some carb cleaner into the plenum. If it then fires but goes dead, fuel is not being delivered to the injectors. Have fire extinguisher close by just for safety. Fuel pump failure is common on these. Just a little under minumum pressure will definetly cause problems on these trucks. I am assuming you did cycle the key on and off after changing the filter. It has to reprime the system, which will run only about 2 seconds each time the key is turned on unless the engine fires.

v6 engine. i will need to double check dimensions. yes we cycled it many times but will try again once im off work.

[stickemhard3]

control module or coil could even be the cap and rotor...how many miles?....Plugs ever been changed?

80,000 miles and i will changing out the plugs tonight. i believe they were changed out within the last yr but not 100% sure.

[Regalrod]

I will def try this out. seems cheap and easy with possibly good results.

Be careful spraying anything into the throttle body. You would be better spraying the cleaner onto a soft cloth and wiping out the throttle body. If this is the drive by wire, you can cause major problems if the cleaner gets into the TAC Motor on the side of the throttle body. Also, don't force the throttle plate open. If you have to, turn the key on and have someone hold the accelerator to the floor for cleaning purposes.

[tx07]

Be careful spraying anything into the throttle body. You would be better spraying the cleaner onto a soft cloth and wiping out the throttle body. If this is the drive by wire, you can cause major problems if the cleaner gets into the TAC Motor on the side of the throttle body. Also, don't force the throttle plate open. If you have to, turn the key on and have someone hold the accelerator to the floor for cleaning purposes.

You would be ok spraying down the throat. But if your spraying the outside to just clean it off. That's definitely not a Good idea for this very reason. If the seal is bad.

[tx07]

sometimes yes and sometimes no.

It has a stored code then if the light came on at all. Check the codes.

[Regalrod]

You would be ok spraying down the throat. But if your spraying the outside to just clean it off. That's definitely not a Good idea for this very reason. If the seal is bad.

I've replaced a couple for this same reason. It is best to use a rag. GM at one time had a bulletin for this exact reason. Dealer techs were burning up throttle body's.