# 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche occasionally fails to start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-occasionally-fails-to-start/116910>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, avalanche\
**Created:** [May 7, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-occasionally-fails-to-start/116910 "2018-05-07T11:49:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Don21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cab0a1/32.png) [@Don21](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Don21)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-occasionally-fails-to-start/116910/1 "2018-05-07T11:49:23Z")

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My vehicle has 140,000 miles on it, Within the past year, it occasionally fails to start. When turning the key it gives a short sputter, and after 3 or 4 tries, it starts, and runs as well as when I bought it new…it’s serviced regularly. The Chevrolet dealer replaced the fuel pump & the problem remains (the dealer could not repeat the problem in the shop to determine the cause)

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-occasionally-fails-to-start/116910/2 "2018-05-07T16:22:58Z")

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> [@Don21](#):
>
> When turning the key it gives a short sputter

Please describe that a bit more. By “sputter” does it crank the engine but the engine doesn’t start? or the started makes a “sputtering” sound?

The “3 or 4 tries”, meaning you cycle the key to start 3-4 times? If that is the case, I’d say one of the injectors is leaking. You need to test the fuel pressure after the truck s shut off to see that it holds significant pressure overnight. Since the pump’s been changed, it’s unlikely the check valve in the pump has failed - another cause of this. Injector cleaner - the pour in the tank kind or one of the kind that injects the cleaner straight through the system is a possible remedy.

If the starter itself is sputtering, that could be a failing starter solenoid or a bad ignition switch.

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**Author:** ![Don21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cab0a1/32.png) [@Don21](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Don21)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-occasionally-fails-to-start/116910/3 "2018-05-07T21:57:57Z")

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_Mustangman,_

_By sputter, I mean that it does crank the engine momentarily & the engine does not start and I do mean cycling the key 3-4 times. FYI, in addition to a new fuel pump, a new ignition switch was installed last year. Thanks for your feedback and I’ll share your comments with my mechanic who has his own shop, & not affiliated with a Chevy dealer._

_Don aka OG Roadrunner_

_Retired Biker_

_Iron Souls MC, Charter & Lifetime Member_