My 1999 Silverado 5.3L has to be started 4-5 times before it will stay running. It dies out after a second or so. Once it gets going to runs fine. Is the fuel pump going out? I don't want to burn up the starter.
Try this sequence to see if you have a fuel pressure problem.
Before starting the engine, turn the key to the ON position for 3-5 seconds, then turn it off. Repeat 3 or 4 times. If it starts and stays running, you likely have a fuel pressure problem. Turning it to RUN/ ON several times without going to start primes the fuel pump and gives it time to build pressure.
If you've never changed the fuel filter, start there. Typically they're external to the tank on trucks and are in the fuel line to the engine. Try starting it like normal. If that doesn't work, get a fuel pressure tester and hook up to the fuel rail. It should read around 60 PSI, if I recall correctly.
