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Old 08-18-2019, 10:06 PM
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fyrffytr1 fyrffytr1 is offline
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Default 2008 Chevrolet Silverado random starting problem

My son, in Flagstaff, Az., has a 2008 Silverado with the 4.8 engine. Yesterday he went to start it after stopping at the grocery store and everything was dead. No headlights or anything. After about 10 minutes he hit the ignition and it started right up.
But, today when he got ready to leave work it was dead again. He checked the battery and it was good but just like the day before the truck was completely dead. Only this time it would not crank after sitting for a while.
Any ideas on what he can check?

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Old 08-19-2019, 03:31 AM
Redpiston Redpiston is offline
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more than likely it is the Electronic Control Module.

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Old 08-19-2019, 08:55 AM
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Thanks. I will pass that on to him.

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Old 08-19-2019, 04:19 PM
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Check all the grounds you can find. Half the time ECM problems are actually a ground somewhere.

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Old 08-19-2019, 04:30 PM
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Check battery cable connections at both ends.

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Old 08-23-2019, 08:22 PM
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Thanks for the replies everyone. I passed all of them onto my son. I read up on it some and found that low voltage can also cause the problem as well as a bad connection at the module or bad wires in that connector. It's going to take some diagnostics to figure out what the problem is.

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Old 08-24-2019, 04:00 AM
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On my 2008 2500 HD the security system will freak out and shut things down and I can't start the truck. A couple internet sites said to disconnect the batteries and wait 20 minutes to clear the memory and it would start - and it did. Really a pain and I accidentally found out that removing the key from the ignition and opening and slamming the driver's door would allow me to start the truck. Might not have anything to do with your son's truck but does show just how strange they can be.

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Old 08-28-2019, 09:25 PM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PunchT37 View Post
Check battery cable connections at both ends.
This has been a particular problem on GM vehicles with side post batteries. If the truck has two battery cables, typically the positive side going to the battery. The long bolt goes through both of them and corrosion between the two cables and the bolt/positive post will give you an intermittent no nothing. Next time it is dead, have him very firmly try to twist the two cables and/or the connection. If it starts, you found the problem area. I have repaired over a dozen GM cars with this situation.

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Old 08-28-2019, 09:55 PM
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Thanks again. I will send this page to my son.

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  #10  
Old 08-30-2019, 07:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgarblik View Post
This has been a particular problem on GM vehicles with side post batteries. If the truck has two battery cables, typically the positive side going to the battery. The long bolt goes through both of them and corrosion between the two cables and the bolt/positive post will give you an intermittent no nothing. Next time it is dead, have him very firmly try to twist the two cables and/or the connection. If it starts, you found the problem area. I have repaired over a dozen GM cars with this situation.
My beloved FWD Bonnevilles have the two cables on one post situation. In my anger, I hacked off all of the plastic/rubbery coating surrounding the round end of the cable. What was a "Fix every six months" problem has turned into "never had to touch it again". You'd think they'd corrode more with no coating, being naked in front of God and everybody, but I swear it fixes the problem.

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Old 08-30-2019, 01:16 PM
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This era GMT900 platform truck uses top post battery connections. The cables are extremely prone to occassional failures, and should be replaced anytime electrical issues are experienced on these vehicles.

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