Posted on Jun 19, 2009

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2001 Tahoe: Hard to start, idles rough, check engine light on.

I have 5.3L Vortec in my 01 Tahoe. I think there is multiple issues going on right now and could use some helpful advice.

Symptoms:
- Hard to start: Takes a couple cranks to start.
- Idle is rough: Shakes at idle and sputters a little
- Check Engine Light: Is on and will ocassionally blink
- Cold Start Engine Noise: You can here a ticking noise that will go away after about 30 seconds

Solution:
- Spark Plugs/Wires: Replaced both, old plugs had black carbon residue on them.
- Fuel Injectors: Replaced all eight, old injectors were clogged pretty bad. All eight of them visually had residue on

The Tahoe runs noticably better after changing out the fuel injectors but it still doesn't start right away and idles rough. The check engine light stopped blinking and turned off for about an hour then came back on. The light has stayed on since and will blink every now and then but not like it used to.

I took it to a mechanic to have it looked at but to my avail the battery connection came loose and the engine codes reset the day it was scheduled to go to the shop. Of course the day I pick it up the check engine light comes back on. They ran a diagnostic test and told me that one side of the engine was running lean and the other rich.

My next plan of action is to replace the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel filter. I have done research and I think the reason why the engine was running lean on one side and rich on the other was because of the clogged fuel injectors AND a faulty fuel pressure regulator.

If the problem still exist I will replace the O2 sensor, then the MAF sensor. Not really sure what this engine tick noise is from...just trying to solve one problem at a time. Any suggestions?!

jasonbenfit Jun 19, 2009

I cleaned the MAF sensor and the throttle body. Fuel pump seems to be okay. Checked for any vacum leaks and everything seems to be okay. If there was a problem with the fuel pump I think I would have problems when I stepped on the gas. If the pressure was to low then not enough fuel would be getting to the engine. I will update this post once I install the fuel pressure regulator and the filter on monday. Thanks for the help.

1 Answer

Anonymous

Expert 299 Answers
Posted on Jun 19, 2009

Anonymous

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Joined: Jun 16, 2009

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Flashing check engine light is missfire, fuel pump probably causing multiple tries to start.Having to build fuel preasure,vac leak on one side of intake probably causing rich/lean condition.Also check back preasure to cat ,Sound like you are moving down right track.Mas air flow would probably set lean code bank1 and lean code bank2

Anonymous Jun 19, 2009

Fuel pump can work ok after its running.But it has a foot valve that will allow preasure to bleed down when it sets.If this occurs you will have to cycle key 2 or 3 times to prime system back up.GM has hada big problem with this.

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It can be issue with IAC( idle air control valve) causing the problem.

There are many other possibilities causing these idle issues.Engine idles rough.There are few help links with solutions to troubleshoot such idle issues.
I suggest you refer the link below and follow its troubleshooting details:------Click the link below:-----Bad miss at idle? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-miss-at-idle.html
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1999 Ford F-150 Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

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Erratic idle on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html
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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

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1996 Camry intermittent engine failure while idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/1996-camry-intermittent-engine-failure.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

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http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html

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High Idle Problem
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/high-idle-problem.html
-------

While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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Idle flair is noticed on car? Rough idle? car will not idle? Erratic idle speed?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

--------
High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

-------
Vehicle stumbling at idle and shows code 54?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-stumbling-at-idle-and-shows.html

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Rough idle, staling and Erratic shifting? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/rough-idlestaling-and-erratic-shifting.html
-----------While stop engine idles like cylinder missing? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html
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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/1996-camry-intermittent-engine-failure.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

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To confirm the problem, the basic troubleshooting is required.

Click this link below and follow the troubleshooting:------

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-starting-issues.html

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This will help.

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My 2001 oldsmobile aurora is misfiring and sputtering after i replaced the spark plugs?

For engine misfiring problem check the help links mentioned below. Click the link below to go through the troubleshooting procedure :---- Engine misses and truck jumps? Hard to down shift? Issue with high gear only? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/engine-miss-and-truck-jumps-hard-to.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-miss-at-idle.html

-----------
While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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Engine Misfire codes for car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/engine-misfire-codes-on-chevrolet.html
Engine Misfire codes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/engine-misfire-codes-on-chevrolet.html

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Misfire on cylinder 4?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/misfire-on-cylinder-4.html

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Oil on spark plugs and car misfires?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/oil-on-spark-plugs-and-car-misfires.html

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