Hey everyone, I drive my mom's old 2003 suburban with 217,000 miles on it and it has really been a champ to me. However, here in Michigan where just today the temperature reached -11 before windchill, she really struggles to start. I don't know what to say either. We just got a whole tune up (spark plugs, belts, the whole deal) and it hasn't helped at all. Usually if I just turn the key it just keeps trying to turnover, making a chugga noise. What I usually have the best luck with is hold the pedal for 3 seconds, then release. Hold for 3 seconds, then stop. Then hold the pedal down for 3 seconds, and turn the key. The engine will chugga for a couple seconds then kinda go into a wheezing fit, then it starts up and I have to keep the pedal pushed to let the RPM's climb to at least 3500 to keep it running or else it turns back off. I think this has to be something with the gas getting to the engine, however it spews a lot of smoke out of the exhaust and the engine smells less of gas or exhaust but more of a burning if that makes sense. It has had an oil change recently too, using synthetic oil. But there are a few other "minor"problems that I truthfully don't mind, but that all are of the same category: Electronics. Heated seats don't work, driver side power seats are reversed, using a window dims interior and exterior lights, both passenger side windows are very slow if they even move at all.

Thanks for all the help and I believe this is the LT Autoride model with the 5.3L V8. Please feel free to ask any other questions too!

 

EDIT: After I say wheezing fit, it starts up and I have to keep the pedal down to let the RPM's climb to at least 3500 to keep it running or else it turns back off.

 

Have you replaced the fuel filter? I would also get a gauge on the rail and measure the fuel pressure to find out if the fuel pump may be getting tired.

Also, before you start the truck, you could let the fuel pump prime the line first to build up pressure, and then try starting it. Those are my thoughts. Lastly get some gumout injector cleaner in the tank and see if that may help as well.

 

LOL you seem to describe the way I feel when I wake up in the morning.

 

I'd recommend using a couple of bottles of Techron instead of Gumout.

 

If you are holding the pedal down while starting that tells the ecm that the engine is flooded and will cut back the amount of fuel delivered by the injectors. If holding the pedal down helps start the motor then injectors could be leaking when cold.