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Really strange problem with a 2000 suburban

crashandburn

crashandburn

1/2 ton status
Joined
Dec 6, 2007
Posts
334
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Location
Colorado Springs, CO
I picked up a cream puff Burb with a 5.3 and a really strange problem. It starts and runs fine. Step on the brakes and put it in gear, no problem. As soon as the truck starts moving, the truck dies. Even in neutral if you get out and push the truck 2 feet it kills the engine. Disconnect the VSS and it will drive around the yard just fine. So it is definitely not a mechanical problem.
I did have to put a junkyard transmission in it, but it had the problem with the old trans (also not original) and the new one. The new one is from an 02. The 4l60s over the years had electronic differences but I believe 00-02 are compatible.
Now, according to the PO, the truck was stolen and recovered and he thought it might be stuck in theft mode. But my code reader did not show any antitheft codes, and I have seen antitheft codes on a similar truck, so I know my code reader is capable of them. Also the truck that I saw that was in theft mode had shut it's fuel pump down and would not run at all. So I don't really think it's that.
I swapped the VSS hoping it was grounding out and shutting down the system, but that wasn't it.
Anybody have any ideas?
 
I say is still a security issue. Maybe in the key, or the tumbler or the steering column. My '99 had a similar issue, it would start, run for 2 second then die. It had to do with the passkey. I had to change the key, key housing, the tumbler and the wiring harness it get it to run. Now I realize we're talking about two different body styles but I'm sure there are some similarities in the way they work. Maybe the thief ruined something in the column? Hope this helps.
 
Possibly. The ignition switch was changed out. I'm not sure if that was to correct the problem or if the thief just wrecked the original.
 
had the same problem with 2000 Chevy motor home. It would start and run till placed in gear, then die. it would start right back up. put in gear and die. Security module was bad. $800 dollars later because they could not find the location of the security module.
 
I don't have an exact answer for you but that doesn't sound like a security issue to me. It will either not start, or start and die immediately if it was. And would set a code.

Also in a 2000 the key is not coded, there is just a theft deterrent module, bcm, and ecm in that system.

And you said with the vss unplugged it drives fine, that certainly doesn't point towards a security issue. I would look deeper into the wiring to the vss
 
Well, I made some phone calls, I can get the ECM flashed at a local dyno tuning shop for under $300 with no guarantee that it will change anything. Way better than $600 at the stealership.

So I went to the U-pull junkyard down the street and paid 40 bucks for an ECM. Figured what the hell, if it doesn't fix it I'll just return it. They never ask questions about returns.

Put it in, went through the 30 minute anti theft relearn, and fired it up. Got the wheels off the ground and threw her in gear, and no more stalling! Ran like crap though. Great, fixed one problem to create another. But after 5 minutes or so it cleared out and ran great. I guess it had to learn all the sensors and stuff. I'm gonna road test it right after I get my little boy to bed, but so far so good.
Fingers crossed!
 
A dealer was going to charge 600 just to program? Or was that for a new ecm and program?
 
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