2003 Tahoe stalled

[Shoei]

I picked up a 03 Tahoe earlier this summer for a weekend work truck. I replaced the shocks and fluids and it's driven fine for 3 months now. I've actually been using it as a daily driver for a short work commute.

Tonight while going up a short hill, I noticed a little loss of power. A minute later, it died at a stoplight. After towing it into to a parking lot and letting it sit 15 minutes. It started back up.

All the pressure gauges looked normal and no warning lights. While driving back home, it stalled again at a stoplight, it just felt like it was running out of gas. Stepping lightly on the gas while it was in the process of stalling had no effect at all. After 10 minutes it started again and I drove home.

The only difference I can think of is that this is the first time I had had it below a quarter of a tank of gas.

It has 110k miles, it's a 5.3 engine and it was a EMT vehicle before I owned it. It did come from the east coast and it's in colorado now.

Any common problems for vehicles of this vintage that might be obvious for this type of behaviour?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Did you run it for any codes? It's possible that your fuel gauge could be off too. Could be less then the 1/4 it says you have.

 

[Shoei]

I haven't checked codes. I filled up with gas so I know it wasn't out of gas. I picked up a fuel filter because it probably needs to be replaced anyway.

Edit. It idles at around 500 rpm which seems low?

 

[Tonyrodz]

A few months after buying my 03, while going up a small hill, mine also stalled. I let it sit for a min and it started right up. It progressively got worse, stalling going up hills or inclines. Turned out it was the fuel filter. There was sediment in it, and going up inclines the sediment would clog the fuel line going to the motor. I completely forgot about that! If yours stalled every time it went up an incline that might be your issue.

 

[jaywoo65]

I'd get a loaner fuel pressure gauge from autozone and check your fuel pressure. Could be the fuel pump. They aren't horrible to change if your tank is pretty empty.

 

[rockola1971]

I'd get a loaner fuel pressure gauge from autozone and check your fuel pressure. Could be the fuel pump. They aren't horrible to change if your tank is pretty empty.

While I agree that the fuel pump is the culprit (if it aint the fuel filter). He most likely wont get a bad fuel pressure reading until the thing starts acting a fool. Dead spot(s) in armature of fuel pump and that causes random failure. They dont usually fail like this but I have seen this happen multiple times before. Usually they are just dead and never live again. Wouldnt hurt to check the fuel pump relay and even 12vdc at fuel pump wiring harness at the pump too.

 

[chevrol8t]

I haven't checked codes. I filled up with gas so I know it wasn't out of gas. I picked up a fuel filter because it probably needs to be replaced anyway.

Edit. It idles at around 500 rpm which seems low?

Mines idle at around 500-550ish rpm as well (I have a 2000). I heard that a few Tahoes idle that low. Not sure why if true. Though I never had any issues it always concerned me.