Hi everyone, I own a 2000 4WD GMC Jimmy SLE, with a 4.3 L V6. When it's cold outside and I don't run the Jimmy for 2-3 days, It will crank but it will not start. I even smell gas so I know the fuel pump is working. We replaced the fuel filter a few months back so I don't believe that would be the problem. I have a fuel injector that sputters every now and then before it shifts into second gear, but most of the time it is unnoticeable. I have never been able to figure out when it's going to sputter or not. At one point in time last summer the sputtering was so bad that the check engine light came on. Then after a few days the light went off and most of the sputtering subsided. Other than that incident, the sputtering is not common.
I have been told that possibly due to the injector, the gas in the fuel line flows back into my tank after a few days of not running it. I tried cranking a few times a few months back when this happened and we couldn't get it started. A friend came by and showed me that if you stick the key in the ignition but don't crank the engine but turn it to the on position, it will engage the fuel pump to push fuel back into the line and to the engine. After a few key turns to engage the fuel pump to push the gas back up the line, he cranked the Jimmy and it started with ease and ran perfectly. The method worked for sure.
We just had a major ice storm and it's pretty cold now. The last time the Jimmy wouldn't start it was also pretty cold outside. I'm not sure if the temperature plays a role or if this is just simply a recent problem that developed over the last few months. I haven't started the Jimmy in a few days and I have tried the same trick a few times yesterday and today and it will not work. I'm not sure if maybe I flooded it by turning the key too many times. I know the problem is not my battery because it continues to crank and I checked it yesterday. I'm going to wait to crank it again until tomorrow incase it's flooded. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
I have been told that possibly due to the injector, the gas in the fuel line flows back into my tank after a few days of not running it. I tried cranking a few times a few months back when this happened and we couldn't get it started. A friend came by and showed me that if you stick the key in the ignition but don't crank the engine but turn it to the on position, it will engage the fuel pump to push fuel back into the line and to the engine. After a few key turns to engage the fuel pump to push the gas back up the line, he cranked the Jimmy and it started with ease and ran perfectly. The method worked for sure.
We just had a major ice storm and it's pretty cold now. The last time the Jimmy wouldn't start it was also pretty cold outside. I'm not sure if the temperature plays a role or if this is just simply a recent problem that developed over the last few months. I haven't started the Jimmy in a few days and I have tried the same trick a few times yesterday and today and it will not work. I'm not sure if maybe I flooded it by turning the key too many times. I know the problem is not my battery because it continues to crank and I checked it yesterday. I'm going to wait to crank it again until tomorrow incase it's flooded. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?