Dead and Stubborn

[PNWMuseumman]

The wife and I were taking our 8 month old munchkin to swim class the other night. On the way there the Denali (2002) starts to die, then surges back to life, then a little while later, same thing. It progressively got worse and worse on the 6 mile drive. Until finally we got in the Y parking lot and dead as a door nail, right in the middle of the parking lot. She'd crake fine, then start and immediately chug and fall flat on her face. So naturally, I get the joy of pushing my car, with wife and child through the parking lot. Luckily, once upon a time I pushed my dad's 3/4 ton ram as a training method for football (O-line for life!). Anyhow, we had it towed to the only mechanic I trust, and they called me yesterday to let me know the fuel filter clogged up, causing the fule pump to work double time, eventually burning itself up... Good times... Luckily, since it's there now anyway, this gives me a good opportunity to have the autoride system fixed, I sent the compressor I bought to the shop with the car so they can install it, as well as having the steering fixed. Should have a pretty sweet ride once all is said and done. Funnily enough, for a couple months now my wife has been telling me the denali feels like it's been losing the pep it once had. But with the munchkin, I never found time to go out and pop the hood. Lesson learned, the fuel filter will now be part of my general maintenance.

 

[JollyRoger01]

It would be good to have a high pressure fuel system cleaning done also. The ethonal that is now in most gas really gums the fuel system up. I use an ethanol shield additive as well.

 

[OR VietVet]

Lesson learned, huh. When I ran shops my saying was, and still is today, "Maintenance pays and breakdowns cost!" Make sure you also keep the fuel tank close to at LEAST 1/2 or better so the pump stays immersed and runs cooler over time. Nothing is good about close to empty tank and having the pump suck air when turning and fuel runs away from the pickup. As you have learned the filter is way important as well. Gotta let that pump breath. Should have listened to the wife as well. She may not let you live this down. That alone is bad all in itself.

 

[Rocket Man]

Our 02's were the last year to have easily serviceable fuel filters, located on the frame rail under the driver. Starting in 03 they moved them to the fuel tank (as well as the pressure regulator), next to the fuel pump which requires dropping the tank. Bad idea GM.

 

[OR VietVet]

That was just one of the reasons I bought my 02 when it became available. Another, unless I am mistaken, was that from 03 on the throttle actuation was "drive by wire" Instead of mechanical cable/linkage. I had heard horror stories of starting your 03 and newer Tahoe's and would idle fine but had no acceleration. I actually bought mine from a little ol' lady whose husband had died and she was selling it. Original owner and only serviced at the dealer that is less than 1 mile from where I am at and she had every bit of any paperwork generated at that dealer. A cream puff in the purest sense of the word.

 

[Rocket Man]

My 02 has DBW throttle and I'm glad it does- otherwise I wouldn't have been able to put the Whipple on it since they only make them for DBW. I've never had any problems with it.

 

[OR VietVet]

There must be a cut off at a build date because I just went and looked to double check and on the passenger side front area there is the cable linkage assembly.

 

[Rocket Man]

There must be a cut off at a build date because I just went and looked to double check and on the passenger side front area there is the cable linkage assembly.

Yeah, sometime in 02 they changed. The RPO code for it is KUP "Throttle Control Electronic".

 

[OR VietVet]

Ok, did some digging. In 03 all of them were DBW and before that since 01, high end SUV's, like your Denali had drive by wire. My 02 Tahoe does have cable and the traction control system was what brought it all about.

 

[Chubbs]

2003 vinZ flexfuel has the outboard fuel filter. 1 of my very first maintenance items. Real PIA, orig filter design won't allow clearance to insert disconnect tool. Had to remove the filter with output line and cut the filter off with a saw, then use the tool to remove stub end of filter remaining in the disconnect.