Starting Problem - losing my mind!!

[PatyOFurniture]

Sounds like your ignition/passlock system.
Does the security lite flash when you turn the key to the on position?

Read this. This was all the sh*t I went through with my ignition and the lovely passlock system. I believe the parts and part #s are also in that thread.

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199600

Hey thanks for the info, i read all of that thread. My trucks at the shop so i cant check to see if the security light is flashing, but i dont think it was a couple of hours ago when it did finally start or was trying to start.

I'll try to get a video of it and put it up online if the shop cant figure it out.. but i'll recommend that passcode lock to the shop tomorrow.

Trust me i brushed the living hell out of all the terminals and inside the screw holes, it was clean to begin with and cleaner when i finished. the connections were nice and tight.

 

[992dr]

No problem, I was stumped to and didnt notice the security lite flashing until it was pointed out to me. That was the most frustrating issue with my truck. Who would've thought a warn out magnet would cause this aggrivasion, hah.
When you tell your dealer explain the whole situation thoroughly, this is a common problem with our trucks. It is also very expensive if the dealer does the work. I was quoted $1000 for parts and labor. If you in any way mechanically inclined I would suggest you do it yourself and save your self $700+. If you do decide to do this, let me know, I made a tool for the removal of the factory ignition switch. I'd send one to you.
Good luck man, hopefully its not the same problem I had. I'll keep my fingers crossed for yah

 

[PatyOFurniture]

well just got back from the mechanic… they said they tried to start the truck numerous times today and it fired up 2 crank no problem and it would not create the issue I brought it for there in the first place.
So I went to the truck with one of the mechanics and he tried starting it and sure enough the problem occurred. He thinks it is moisture in the distributor cap and says it is a common problem for these trucks…
I got it started and went to a parts store and sure enough they didnt have a cap and rotor in stock. I'll go try to find the parts elsewhere tonight and change them out.
fingers crossed!

---------- Post added at 04:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------

No problem, I was stumped to and didnt notice the security lite flashing until it was pointed out to me. That was the most frustrating issue with my truck. Who would've thought a warn out magnet would cause this aggrivasion, hah.
When you tell your dealer explain the whole situation thoroughly, this is a common problem with our trucks. It is also very expensive if the dealer does the work. I was quoted $1000 for parts and labor. If you in any way mechanically inclined I would suggest you do it yourself and save your self $700+. If you do decide to do this, let me know, I made a tool for the removal of the factory ignition switch. I'd send one to you.
Good luck man, hopefully its not the same problem I had. I'll keep my fingers crossed for yah

When i started it up today my security light wasnt flashing… it stayed on just as long as the other dashlights then they all went out after the truck was running as per usual.
I'll keep an eye on it though and thanks for the help!

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

before you drop the money on a cap and rotor, pull the old one and see if its corroded or not. i have to "clean" mine every 6 months or so because of the mosture getting in it.

 

[longstand]

Moisture Problem on your distributor, ohh No!!.. I'm glad my location is on a sunny place like San Diego, CA

 

[992dr]

well just got back from the mechanic… they said they tried to start the truck numerous times today and it fired up 2 crank no problem and it would not create the issue I brought it for there in the first place.
So I went to the truck with one of the mechanics and he tried starting it and sure enough the problem occurred. He thinks it is moisture in the distributor cap and says it is a common problem for these trucks…
I got it started and went to a parts store and sure enough they didnt have a cap and rotor in stock. I'll go try to find the parts elsewhere tonight and change them out.
fingers crossed!

---------- Post added at 04:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------



When i started it up today my security light wasnt flashing… it stayed on just as long as the other dashlights then they all went out after the truck was running as per usual.
I'll keep an eye on it though and thanks for the help!

That is exactly what happened with mine. It didnt happen often, the worst part is you never knew when it was going to happen. It happened just about once a week but several times during that particular day, when it got worse it would happen several times a week and several times a day. The longest it took was 1hr, the shortest was 30 minutes. It is very aggrivating.
It got to the point when I was going to drive, I would get in and turn the key to the ON position and look at all the security lite.

Do me a favor, whenever you start your truck do what I did. Turn the key to the on position and wait to see if all the lites went out and are not blinking, especially the security lite. That will tell me that its something else. Remember though, it happens on random occasions so you'll have to be aware.
If you dont mind spending the money on new parts, do it. I call it "preventative maintanence". Heck I just dropped $450 just to clear a code and it was more than likely a valve not plugged in, preventative maintanence, hah.

Seriously, this was the most aggrivating issue to date with any vehicle I have owned. I wouldnt want this to happen to anyone, especially another Tahoe owner

 

[SunlitComet]

I also have symptom diagnos chart on the passlock system too if you want those. One is for crank but no start and also light flashing all the time. There are a few others as well.

 

[PatyOFurniture]

well to update, I pulled off the cap and it was green and corroded to hell and DAMP. there was moisture in there!! it looked like the cap hadnt been changed in a long time. So i put in a new cap and rotor and VOILA - she runs MINT. no more starting issues and my hesitation under throttle is GONE.

I would have never guessed the cap and rotor, but shes fixed now!
thanks for all the help guys

 

[992dr]

Glad that was it.
now go out and enjoy it

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

theres actually a GM listed "fix" for the common cap problem. there are a couple of screens halfway down the distributor that need "cleaned and or removed" to let the moisture out.

was printed out and included in the box for the last cap i picked up from O'Rileys. have yet to look into it on mine