Looking for suggestions on problem with a 2001 suburban LT 1500 where it just shuts down while driving/running. Can be sitting still or driving down the street, just all of a sudden its like you turned the key off and the dash lites come on. no warning lites or any indication before this. first time it happened it would not start immediately and had it towed in. shop said was running fine, no error codes, nothing they could do.
got it back and about 2 weeks later did same thing. typically I only drive back and forth to work - about 10 miles each way so I guess it doesn't heat up enough or drive long enough. Mechanic suggested I let it just run in the driveway and see if it would repeat. I tried this and it shuts off about an hour + after running. It will restart right away but you must turn the key all the way to the off position. Guess it's resetting something? If you are driving when it happens, it will not start again while rolling as it wants the key to be turned off all the way. I thought it might have been the fuel pump relay because I heard it buzzing under the hood during my testing so I replaced that, but still shuts down. Once it starts shutting down it will run for about 2 minutes before shutting down again. can continue this 2 minute drill as long as you want but makes it difficult and dangerous to get anywhere.

I have seen other website's suggestions ranging from the fuel pump (expensive if not the problem), engine control box, crankshaft position sensor, security system, ignition module, fuel pressure regulator, oil pressure, coolant temp sensor, and ignition switch.

whatever it is, it does not send out an error code.

In South Louisiana, temps in upper 80-mid 90s.


Any ideas? PLEASE Help!!!!!!!! I cannot go anywhere safely as it is so unreliable.

 

I have an 03 suburban 1500 that had a similar issue. It ended up being a ground wire that grounds to the back of the motor block which had frayed. Took the plastic engine cover off, spliced the wire back together and never had the problem again.


I have no idea if the wiring is the same between 01s and 03s, though, or if this is even your issue. Good luck.

 

I agree. You have a bad ground wire somewhere. '01s and '03s are similar enough that they should have the same grounding points/connections.

 

Thanks. That's a new idea. Will check it out.

 

This is a follow-up to the August 2016 posts regarding my 2001 Chevy Suburban that would just shut down while driving. After much “testing” on my part - letting it shut down while running in the driveway and noting any and all possible things going on – I was then able to get a private mechanic to also reproduce the symptoms. It never showed any error lights but the mechanic did find codes that referenced to various things losing communication with the ECM. Mechanic was also able to determine it was not the fuel pump because when the vehicle would shut down the fuel pump was still running and at full pressure. Since ECM had been replaced less than 1 year before (under warranty) back to the dealer I went. Chevy dealer also replicated symptoms per my instructions and the ECM was replaced again. It has been 2 months and no signs of the problem.

 

Glad you found the solution and took the time to report it. Could help others in the future.

 

hey their do you happen to have pictures or location of wire ? Under or above motor I’m having same problem?