I have an '06 Silverado 1500 (5.3L) V8
around 178,000 miles

The truck has started to become unpredictable when starting it. Some days, it starts just like it always does. Other days, I'm scared it won't start at all. It takes longer for it to finally turn over.

• The battery is only about a year old
• The terminals to the battery are not loose
• Once I actually get it to start, it runs just fine. Doesn't sputter or act like it's gonna die if I come to a stop on the road
•I know it's been cold recently but the weather doesn't seem to affect this problem one way or the other

Any idea what's going on or what I should check for? I'm kind of at a loss here. Thanks.

 

Welcome to Chevy
Does it crank nice & fast or is it slower than usual?
Consider check voltage reading at batt motor on & off.
Last tune? Plugs, wires etc

 

Welcome from Florida. Try changing the battery in the key fob. If it doesn't read that the key fob is there, it will not start. Just a possibility.

 

On a good day, it's nice and fast. No matter how many stops I make, it starts the same way just fine. On a bad day, it's slow. It sputters like it's trying to turn over but it's like it needs more of a push. I'm usually able to get it going by letting it sit and sputter for maybe three to four seconds longer than normal, but I just worry it'll get to a point it won't start at all.

 

If it is turning over slower on the days it is slower to start, that sounds like an electrical issue (to me anyway!). I would check the battery cables, starter cables, and ground straps to the engine as a start. I guess there is also the possibility of the starter itself starting to have issues, but my experience is starters either work, or they don't, and it is usually the solenoid that fails. That happened with my 1996 C1500 recently.

Any check engine light or codes showing?

 

There is a check engine light, but it's been on since I've had the truck (May last year) and this problem has only started recently.
I recently had a diagnostic ran on it and the only issues it displayed were a faulty passanger air bag, a bad O2 sensor, and a bad wire in the radio.
I recently changed the key fob (as recommended by another user) and it didn't seem to fix it much.
Every part that requires the battery before turning it on (interior lights, locks, use of the key fob from a distance, etc.) all work fine. I'll go to start it and it sputters but won't fire for at least four to five second. When it finally does start, it's slow to come to life (if you know what I mean). But once I get it started, it's fine. Drives fine. Doesn't smell like gas, doesn't act like it's gonna die if I stop at a red light or something, gas milage is about the same as when I bought it (give or take a couple miles for use and age).
i'm just at a loss here

 

You might want to look at the electrical connections at the other ends of the battery cables. Those need to be clean and tight as well.

Another thing to check is to see if there is green stuff under the insulation by the terminal ends on the battery cables. If there is green stuff, then the battery cables are going bad due to corrosion and should be replaced.