WTF is going on with my rig?

[TheFuzz]

WTF is going on with my rig? *Update - Fuel Pump*

So we just drove out to Cali from Denver - left Friday night, stayed in Henderson (SE Vegas) for a night, then drove the rest of the way to Oceanside on Saturday. On saturday afternoon, I'm on the 215 heading South, and all of a sudden my truck loses a shitload of power, like the engine is pulling a TON of timing or something. It downshifts into 3rd on the highway and stays there, and kicks the SES light on. I pull off on the next exit and into the gas station, and it's running super rough - worse than I've ever heard it. I'm down to about 1/4 tank so I gas up and let it cool down for about 15 minutes. Start it back up, starts a little rough but runs fine the rest of the way down to OS.

The SES light is still on, and it starts a little rough each time but runs fine overall. What gives?

Come to find out that my father in law's 02 suburban with 195K on it was doing the same thing, but to the point that it downshifted into 1st, then completely died on the side of the highway. They let it cool down for about 10 minutes then it was ok. My FIL said that it was vapor lock...but that doesn't make any sense to me. I thought that vapor lock was damn near impossible to get with fuel injected vehicles? I'm at a loss. Next step is to run it to the local dealership and find out what the hell the code is, and what I need to do to get it back up to par. This is pissing me off, I've taken awesome care of this truck and it's always run like a top...now this random crap. I guess at 109K, something's gotta give, eh?

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Cash for clunkers time... lol

honestlyl dude I have no idea. I have a hard time with the vapor lock because that wouldnt do anything to the tranny? would it?

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

you can get the ses scanned at a local parts shop. they can likely recommend a repair and it not cost you an arm and a leg.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

yea usually an autozone or pepboys can do it for you for free. Just call before you go because someitmes they make you wait an hour.

 

[TheFuzz]

Yeah the only thing I can think of is that if the engine is starving for fuel because of vapor lock (or whatever the hell is going on), then maybe it would tell the engine to kick down a gear to increase vacuum and fuel delivery because of the higher RPMs...? I have no idea though, and the fact that its starting rough has me a little baffled.

I was thinking about going to pep boys or AZ, just gotta google to find one around here.

 

[blueflamed03]

possibly 02 sensor?

I highly doubt vapor lock, fuel is moving pretty rapidly in a car driving, at idle, in traffic is when it would more than likely happen. Carb'd vehicles tend to do it worse.

Read SES, it will tell ya.

 

[Volant1]

It may be the fuel pump mine did the same thing when I was on the freeway, next time it does it kick the gas tank worked for me for a while

 

[Max]

Sounds like a possible pump failure, you're about due let's hope it doesn't shit until you're back at home. I'm doing a bigger one in mine for the nitrous, could always do two trucks at the same time

 

[chistoso]

This sucks balls man. bad shit always happens when you least expect it and it will never breakdown in front of your house, it's always gonna happen when you're not ready for it.

Get the SES code and go from there. Hopefully it won't be anything major and you can make it home..

Good luck!!

 

[Suburbinator]

How old is the battery ? Are the cables in good shape and nice and tight ? I've seen all kinds of odd behavior due to bad batteries.

 

[Ducati18]

So we just drove out to Cali from Denver - left Friday night, stayed in Henderson (SE Vegas) for a night, then drove the rest of the way to Oceanside on Saturday. On saturday afternoon, I'm on the 215 heading South, and all of a sudden my truck loses a shitload of power, like the engine is pulling a TON of timing or something. It downshifts into 3rd on the highway and stays there, and kicks the SES light on. I pull off on the next exit and into the gas station, and it's running super rough - worse than I've ever heard it. I'm down to about 1/4 tank so I gas up and let it cool down for about 15 minutes. Start it back up, starts a little rough but runs fine the rest of the way down to OS.

The SES light is still on, and it starts a little rough each time but runs fine overall. What gives?

Come to find out that my father in law's 02 suburban with 195K on it was doing the same thing, but to the point that it downshifted into 1st, then completely died on the side of the highway. They let it cool down for about 10 minutes then it was ok. My FIL said that it was vapor lock...but that doesn't make any sense to me. I thought that vapor lock was damn near impossible to get with fuel injected vehicles? I'm at a loss. Next step is to run it to the local dealership and find out what the hell the code is, and what I need to do to get it back up to par. This is pissing me off, I've taken awesome care of this truck and it's always run like a top...now this random crap. I guess at 109K, something's gotta give, eh?[/QU

I think it is the pump. I get them in the shop all the time.

 

[OmarR]

any new info?

If you need a scanner, let me know. I have one you can use. I am about 20-30 mins south of Oceanside, depending on how fast I drive!

 

[TheFuzz]

Sounds like a possible pump failure, you're about due let's hope it doesn't shit until you're back at home. I'm doing a bigger one in mine for the nitrous, could always do two trucks at the same time

Word, I'll see what the code is and we'll go from there. Did a pump on my GTP, never had to mess with one on the Yukon. I'm always down for a learning experience.

How old is the battery ? Are the cables in good shape and nice and tight ? I've seen all kinds of odd behavior due to bad batteries.

New Delco batt in late 07 or early 08, can't remember exactly. Its not very old though. Might be a good excuse to pick up a Optima Yellow Top though, just for the hell of it.

any new info?

If you need a scanner, let me know. I have one you can use. I am about 20-30 mins south of Oceanside, depending on how fast I drive!

None yet, didn't make it to AZ today...I spent most of the afternoon in the water trying to enjoy the vaca. We're staying at a house right on the beach off of S. Pacific street so it's kinda hard to resist lol. I'll get up there tomorrow morning though, theres one right off of Mission Ave a couple miles away near the hospital. I sincerely appreciate the offer though man. If they dick me around and can't do the scan or it turns out to be something stupid that I can fix myself, I might get with you to clear the code since I'm sure AZ won't clear it for me. I'll let you know.

 

[JennaBear]

Get your code read for sure, sounds like cat converters or fuel pump.

 

[TheFuzz]

AAARG. Apparently due to some gay ass law here in Kalifornia, no autoparts stores (Checkers, Kragen, Autozone, etc) can scan your car for the check engine light anymore. So, I'm still stuck. Although I did get a wash, wax and interior detail done for $60, and my truck looks better than it has in years.

So Omar, you still up for a drive to Oceanside with the scanner? Looks like it's either gotta be you or the dealership to find out what code got thrown. PM sent.

 

[Volant1]

Welcome to California, ******* by the day, Shops threatened to stop buying parts form napa, pepboys and autozone because they have to charge you 80 bucks to open the drivers door, plug into the OBD and read a ******* number

 

[Max]

Makes me love Colorado that much more. CO>CA

 

[JKmotorsports]

AAARG. Apparently due to some gay ass law here in Kalifornia, no autoparts stores (Checkers, Kragen, Autozone, etc) can scan your car for the check engine light anymore.

There are way too many crazy ass laws and regulations in Cali. It's a beautiful state and cool to visit, but I couldn't live there.
Anyway, I'd have to agree with some of the above posts and say it's the fuel pump or maybe even bad cats, but it'd be easier to diagnose once you pull the DTCs.

 

[JennaBear]

AAARG. Apparently due to some gay ass law here in Kalifornia, no autoparts stores (Checkers, Kragen, Autozone, etc) can scan your car for the check engine light anymore. So, I'm still stuck. Although I did get a wash, wax and interior detail done for $60, and my truck looks better than it has in years.

So Omar, you still up for a drive to Oceanside with the scanner? Looks like it's either gotta be you or the dealership to find out what code got thrown. PM sent.

Well, all you have to do is ask to "rent" the code reader, I think it is like a $10 deposit. You go out to you car, read your code, bring the reader back into the store and they refund your $10. They just can't do it themselves

 

[TheFuzz]

Well, all you have to do is ask to "rent" the code reader, I think it is like a $10 deposit. You go out to you car, read your code, bring the reader back into the store and they refund your $10. They just can't do it themselves

Ugh. I wish those asshats would have told me that while I was in the store. Oh well. I'll call another place and see if thats doable. Thanks Jenna, hopefully I'll have some codes to decipher later tonight.