Scotty- Before I found your channel, I bought a 2011 dieselgate VW. Whoo-eeee, was that car rolling piece of junk. Everything I've heard you say about VW is true. Endless money pit!
Now to business, I have a 99 Silverado. 5.3 liter with 85K miles. I bought it new. It has been a really good pickup.
I live in North Dakota. When it gets below 0F, my Silverado won't start. All interior lights and headlights come on suggesting the battery is fine. I turn the key and nothing. No cranking. No clicking. Nothing! The battery is fine. I come back the following day when it is warmer out and it starts right up. This has occurred even with a new battery.
A few years ago, I replaced the starter relay as one of the posts looked like it had gotten hot. That didn't solve it. I'd like to take it to a mechanic, but it is difficult to replicate the problem.
Any thoughts on what to check?
Just because the lights come on, it doesn't mean that the battery is fine. Lights only need a few amps. Starters need hundreds of amps and while maintaining at least 10-11V. The fact that you can't start in cold temps confirms this. Have the battery tested.
The proper description your vehicle exhibites is.."My car does not crank when it is very cold outside" basically it means that turning the key to start does not engage the starter even though your battery is at full strength. You hit the horn - its loud, you turn your high beans on..they are bright. Its a simple process to figure out. First thing is to shift the gearshift to neutral and park while turning the key ON to start. Does that cause the starter to click ? If not then You need to download a wiring diagram for a 99 chevy full size truck to see how the wiring is layed out. The possible culprits is the starter relay, wiring in between, or even the starter in itself. You can check the starter by putting 12volts to the pink wire on the starter. If the starter then cranks...the problem is further up and not the starter. You have to go up the electrical chain to find out where the problem is all the way to the ignition switch.
If you have tested the battery and it's fine, then the next thing to check is pressure to your fuel system. It's believe it is common for the cold weather to affect the fuel pressure regulator on your truck, that might be it. If not that I have heard that ignition could be going out, something to do with cold switch not switching or whatever. Not exactly sure. Best of luck to ya.
I think it is an issue with the ignition too because I get nothing (no clicking, no cranking) from turning the key when it is cold. Can a mechanic easily check the ignition with their "fancy scan tool" even on a mild day when it is starting fine?
If it is fuel pressure, wouldn't my pickup at least crank without starting?
It's a 99 so they should be able to pull up any intermittent codes including ones related to the fuel pressure. Hm so no crank, yes you are right. It should at least turn over.
@bruceree
I'm not aware of '99 GMs having any fuel pressure related codes or sensors.
Correct me if I am wrong please, I'm a bit foggy on my memory but wasn't p0452 the common smog failed code? I believe that was a general wide GM code for anything fuel system/evap no?
I believe that has to do with the pressure inside the gas tank, not the fuel pressure going to the injectors. None of the 2000 or earlier GMs I've owned reported fuel rail pressure to OBD. Some luxury models might have. I stand to be corrected.
Gotcha, good to know!
It would sure be nice if they did! We could monitor the health of our fuel pumps and we wouldn't need to buy fuel pressure gauges.
Still a nice tool to have for diag though. Especially on older cars. I got an 87 BMW that I'm currently fixing up, it's been of use more than once now lol
It has happened on two batteries. One that was a few years old and one that was only a few months old. I'll get the battery tested when I am near NAPA, but I doubt it is the battery.
Get the battery with highest CCA possible. It could probably solve your issue.
