My suburban has been having random problems lately. It started to happen a few days ago. Running perfectly for months with no issues and came out to start it and it would not start. Put starter fluid in the throttle bottle just to see what would happen and it fired right up. Drove home no issues. Used it one more time and it stalled at a traffic light, but did start back up. Several days passed with no problem. Today, stalled once at a stop sign, but I restarted it. Stalled going around a corner into Target parking lot and could not get it started again. Used starter fluid and it started right up. Drove down the street to the first stop sign and stalled. This time used fluid again, but didn't want to start so easily, but did start eventually. Drove the rest of the way home no issues. Parked and went inside and came back out to start it and it would not start. Once again pulled out the starter fluid and it started right up so I drive it up to the garage and parked it. Where do I start??? I'm good when it comes to fixing cars as I have never took any of my vehicles to a shop. The fuel pump and filter are relatively new as are the EGR valve, distributor cap, coil, wires, and fuel injectors. Seems odd that if it were an electrical problem that a shot of fluid would get her going again. Some kind of flooding??

Thanks

 

If the fuel pump isn't an OEM one, it could be failing. Aftermarket pumps typically don't last long.

Did this problem start soon after any work was done on the truck?

 

Haven't done anything for at least a year which was the EGR. Fuel pump is aftermarket and about 4 years old. Seems odd it only dies at a stop or very low idle. It's rather random which sucks! I am going to do a few diagnostics later today, I was hoping for a slam dunk instead of a headache. I have read a ton of posts and have found a few identical, but so many people never post a follow up and left me hanging off a cliff!! I really hate just randomly replacing stuff. I don't think I ever changed the relay or ignition module though.

 

Forgot to mention runs great under WOT

 

OK, after pulling up to the garage door, it won't start again so at least its getting worse. Perfect for troubleshooting. No gas comes from the injectors during cranking. When the key is turned to the "on" (but not started) position, I can hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds.

 

Check your fuel pressure. Pretty sure it's your fuel pump. Had an 87 IROC that would hardly run until you got up to about 30 mph and then it would go like hell.

 

Just to post a follow up. I decided to try the ignition control module on a hunch. I felt like something wasn't telling the fuel pump to run in the starting condition. It's 21 years old with 140k with the original ignition control module. It was probably bound to go out eventually. Well it worked! Started immediately after I changed it out. I am going to wait a few days before claiming victory though! Thanks for the help!

 

If that turns out to be the solution, I'd still check fuel pressure to establish a baseline.

 

New member here - my 93 with 330k is on it's 3rd module - identical symptoms you have described here. Mechanic friend says he sees this commonly.