08 Tahoe completely freaked out

[Danny C]

Drove home fine from work, tried to start if 2 hours later and it freaked out.

By that I mean it continues to crank about 5 seconds or so after I stopped cranking, engine started but then putters out and dies within 20 seconds. Feels/sounds like it is not getting fuel. Lights are flickering the whole time. (possibly a side symptom from the engine struggling/overcranking.

Seems electrical to me. tried unhooking the battery but that did not help. I am getting a P069E code (fuel pump control module code). Should I try to swap out a control module tomorrow? cost? difficulty?

Any help/advice is much appreciated. I will continue to search the forum for answers.

Thanks,
Dan

*EDIT actually an '08 Tahoe

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Yep. Sounds like a failed or failing fuel pump. Sounds like a fuel pressure test is in order.

 

[Rangel]

bad gas?

 

[GM Customer Service]

Danny C,

I understand that you are seeking technical advice to resolve this vehicle issue. As a customer service representative, I'm not able to provide much in the way of do-it-yourself information, so I'm glad to see forum members are beginning to step in with feedback. If you have any lingering concerns please contact by private message.

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

 

[Danny C]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice so far. Here is an update.


About two hours after the car freaked out last night. I tried starting it again and bingo, started up fine. Again this morning it started up fine and I made it to work. Tried to start it at lunch time and no dice. Now it wont start at all. I tried a bunch of times with same results.


As a last resort I beat the tank with a rubber mallet and it fired right up again. started and stopped it a few times and it is fine. I am guessing this points even more to a bad fuel pump. I was hoping it was just a bad fuel flow module.


Called a bunch of places and it looks like it will cast me from $750-$1000 to have the fuel pump replaced. I want to do it myself and just the part will cost about $500.


Question: How do I know which fuel pump to order? Some places (dealer and reputable shops) said that there are 3 different pumps for my model and year depending on the motor. Other places (autozone, internet) gave me a price just using my model and year. I am worried that I would not get the correct pump through autozone, but it is cheaper. Is there a way to get the exact pump part number so I can try to find it cheaper online?


Interesting side note: One dealer I talked to said he had never ordered that pump and because so was skeptical that that was the issue. He suggested checking the fuel pump relay. I looked it up in manual and checked the fuel pump relay and fuse and both are missing. Weird. Why are they not there?

Funny you say bad gas, I did go to a shady gas station before this happened. can that be causing this?

Sorry for the novel...


Also, any input on how difficult it is to swap out a fuel pump?

 

[Rangel]

If I'm not mistaken the fuel pump is inside the tank and needs to be dropped to replace. My mom had hers done a few months ago under an extended warranty. Had to go back because they pinched a line reinstalling the tank, so she couldn't fuel the truck.

 

[nick2440]

Check your fuses

 

[jrob56]

Your issue sounds similar to this first recall on Motor Trend. Not saying that it is for sure this recall, I dont even own one yet, but picking up my father in laws Yukon later this year.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/gmc/yukon/recalls/


Recall ID # 85458 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Plus Hide Details
Recall Date:
MAY 06, 2009
Model Affected:
2009 GMC Yukon
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE SEPARATION OF THE ROOM TEMPERATURE VULCANIZING (RTV) SEAL BETWEEN THE SEAL AND THE HOUSING MAY ALLOW WATER TO SEEP INTO THE MODULE.
Consequences:
WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Potential Units Affected:
27188
Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/gmc/yukon/recalls/#ixzz2vU1aA7Kd

 

[Searcher59]

We had the same issue a few months back. Had the fuel pump replaced ($859.00). Have had no fuel issues since. Am told that the pump is inside the tank and that needs to be dropped. Good luck.

 

[Goodinblack]

So what happened dannyc?