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2017 Chevy 1500 - Lost engine power while driving
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:16 pm
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:16 pm
Need help diagnosing an issue. While driving on I-10 Saturday at 75–80 mph, my truck suddenly lost engine power. The cruise control shut off, and the truck began to slow down. Pressing the gas did nothing, and the RPMs dropped to zero. I coasted to the shoulder, and the truck shifted hard twice before stopping. After a brief stop, it started accelerating normally again. I exited to check things over but found no obvious issues. Drove another 1.5 hours home with no further problems. I also drive around town on Sunday and commuted to work (50min) today with no issues.
11
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:24 pm to JohnDoe00
any engine light? full gas tank? clogged fuel filter or something?
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:29 pm to JohnDoe00
Did this show up on your dash?
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:30 pm to JohnDoe00
Did the dash go dead also?
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:31 pm to Hermit Crab
No, codes/warnings and has been driving fine since.
I can look into the fuel filter.
I can look into the fuel filter.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:33 pm to Shexter
quote:
Did the dash go dead also?
Nope, all electronics stayed active.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:36 pm to BigBinBR
My sequoia did that once. Was picking up my kids from school and on the way home it did that. We were driving it to FL the next day.
Pulled over, turned it off and let it sit for a second and cranked it back up.
Never did it again (it's my son's now).
Pulled over, turned it off and let it sit for a second and cranked it back up.
Never did it again (it's my son's now).
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:48 pm to JohnDoe00
quote:
No, codes/warnings and has been driving fine since.
Do you have access to an OBD scanner? There might be a pending code that didn't pop the CEL.
I would say that it could have been a weird grounding issue, but you said you didn't lose your dash. Could be a weird software thing and those can most of the times be fixed by just turning off and the restarting. But it seemed like you didn't shut it off. So that points to probably a fuel or air/air mixture issue.
This post was edited on 7/7/25 at 1:54 pm
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:50 pm to JohnDoe00
First things that come to mind is the garbage transmission they put in those years went out...Valve bodies are just notoriously terrible. Class action lawsuits a plenty.
Other than that the only other real bad thing with the 5.3L is the lifters but that would have been more detrimental and noticeable if a lifter evaporated.
Other than that the only other real bad thing with the 5.3L is the lifters but that would have been more detrimental and noticeable if a lifter evaporated.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:57 pm to JohnDoe00
I've seen the reduced power popup, which was related to an O2 sensor. That was my first thought here, but no CEL confused me. So I decided to see what ChatGPT had to say...
Likely Causes:
This points to a transient failure, possibly electrical or fuel-related. Below are the most common suspects:
1. Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) Failure
Symptoms: Sudden engine stall, RPM drops to zero, may restart after cooling off.
Why likely: A failed or flaky sensor gives the ECU no signal that the engine is turning, cutting spark and fuel.
Check: A scan tool may reveal historical codes (e.g. P0335 or similar), even if CEL is off.
2. Ignition Switch / Power Distribution Issue
Symptoms: Power loss to critical systems like PCM, fuel pump, etc.
Known issue: GM trucks from this era occasionally had ignition switch or relay faults, especially under high-speed vibration.
Check: Wiggle key while parked, see if accessories drop out. Look at main fuse panel for heat-damaged relays or loose connections.
3. Fuel Pump / Relay / Module Intermittent Failure
Symptoms: No fuel = RPM drops, no power, then comes back.
Why possible: If the pump cut out momentarily, the engine would stall without warning.
Check: Listen for the fuel pump priming when you turn the key. Scan live data or fuel pressure (if tools available).
4. Transmission Control Module (TCM) / Hard Shift
Symptom: Hard shifting as truck slows down.
Could be side effect of engine stalling (PCM/TCM lost sync or power).
May also point to electrical fault affecting multiple modules.
What You Should Do Next:
Pull stored trouble codes (even if no CEL is on):
Use a scan tool capable of reading history and pending codes.
AutoZone, O'Reilly, etc., usually offer this for free.
Inspect battery terminals and grounds:
Loose or corroded terminals, engine ground straps, or power cables can cause sudden system failures.
Wiggle test the battery and cables—any flicker of lights is a clue.
Check fuse/relay box under hood:
Look for signs of heat damage, melting, or corrosion.
Especially check PCM and fuel pump relay.
Consider replacing crankshaft position sensor if you see any related code or the issue happens again. It’s a common and cheap failure.
Likely Causes:
This points to a transient failure, possibly electrical or fuel-related. Below are the most common suspects:
1. Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) Failure
Symptoms: Sudden engine stall, RPM drops to zero, may restart after cooling off.
Why likely: A failed or flaky sensor gives the ECU no signal that the engine is turning, cutting spark and fuel.
Check: A scan tool may reveal historical codes (e.g. P0335 or similar), even if CEL is off.
2. Ignition Switch / Power Distribution Issue
Symptoms: Power loss to critical systems like PCM, fuel pump, etc.
Known issue: GM trucks from this era occasionally had ignition switch or relay faults, especially under high-speed vibration.
Check: Wiggle key while parked, see if accessories drop out. Look at main fuse panel for heat-damaged relays or loose connections.
3. Fuel Pump / Relay / Module Intermittent Failure
Symptoms: No fuel = RPM drops, no power, then comes back.
Why possible: If the pump cut out momentarily, the engine would stall without warning.
Check: Listen for the fuel pump priming when you turn the key. Scan live data or fuel pressure (if tools available).
4. Transmission Control Module (TCM) / Hard Shift
Symptom: Hard shifting as truck slows down.
Could be side effect of engine stalling (PCM/TCM lost sync or power).
May also point to electrical fault affecting multiple modules.
What You Should Do Next:
Pull stored trouble codes (even if no CEL is on):
Use a scan tool capable of reading history and pending codes.
AutoZone, O'Reilly, etc., usually offer this for free.
Inspect battery terminals and grounds:
Loose or corroded terminals, engine ground straps, or power cables can cause sudden system failures.
Wiggle test the battery and cables—any flicker of lights is a clue.
Check fuse/relay box under hood:
Look for signs of heat damage, melting, or corrosion.
Especially check PCM and fuel pump relay.
Consider replacing crankshaft position sensor if you see any related code or the issue happens again. It’s a common and cheap failure.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:09 pm to RaginRampage
Well this is helpful. I will go through this list.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:18 pm to JohnDoe00
I had a somewhat similar problem one time with my 2017 chevy 1500
mid turn I lost all power and electronics for like 3 seconds. Almost ended up in a fricking ditch. All electronics were flashing, locks were going up and down, then everything went back to normal. I had it towed to my mechanic and he looked at it for 3 days and couldn't figure it out. It hasn't done it since but he may have unknowingly fixed it because he went over and tightened every connection. My mechanic called a friend at Chevy who wanted me to bring it in but I never did because I know they will just change a bunch of shite,charge me a ton, and tell me it's fixed.
mid turn I lost all power and electronics for like 3 seconds. Almost ended up in a fricking ditch. All electronics were flashing, locks were going up and down, then everything went back to normal. I had it towed to my mechanic and he looked at it for 3 days and couldn't figure it out. It hasn't done it since but he may have unknowingly fixed it because he went over and tightened every connection. My mechanic called a friend at Chevy who wanted me to bring it in but I never did because I know they will just change a bunch of shite,charge me a ton, and tell me it's fixed.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:19 pm to RaginRampage
quote:
1. Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) Failure
Kinda my guess. If the dash lights had died, I'd say a bad battery connection. I've seen several GM trucks from those years die while driving bc of bad battery connections or where the negative cable bolts to the block.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:30 pm to bbvdd
quote:
My sequoia did that once. Was picking up my kids from school and on the way home it did that. We were driving it to FL the next day.
Ours did as well. A guy at O'Reilly's pulled the code, and it was a secondary air injection system. He reset the code, and it was fine for several weeks after that. Happened again and I took it to a shop and they put a new part in. Wasn't cheap, but didn't want to risk that happening with the wife and kids during carpool or driving around. Not sure if Chevy uses a similar system, but it sounds like the same thing that happened to our Sequoia. It would let me drive it, although very slowly at low RPMs.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:45 pm to JohnDoe00
Posted on 7/7/25 at 8:39 pm to JohnDoe00
Chevy……. There’s ur problem.
I owned a 2018 and the best thing I did was shite can it before I had to put a transmission in it.
I owned a 2018 and the best thing I did was shite can it before I had to put a transmission in it.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 7:52 am to LSUDUCKMAN67
I agree, but I bought it for cheap before the COVID boom, and now I'm already into a rebuilt motor (lifter issue) and a recent transmission. I can't stomach a car payment now that this one is paid off, and I have a somewhat new powertrain. I have also taken care of it cosmetically. But again.... I agree its a piece of junk mechanically. I don't think I will ever buy another GM product.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 8:45 am to JohnDoe00
I've seen some weird issues related to the active fuel management system on those vehicles...
Posted on 7/8/25 at 8:53 am to JohnDoe00
Bought a used GMC Yukon and it did the same thing. First time heading to Dallas on I-20 on a Friday night doing 80 with traffic all about. Said WTF and pulled over and it righted itself. Back home crossing the 4 lane and it does the same thing, luckily, I had enough momentum to get me to the other side with oncoming traffic. Was some type of sensor.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 8:57 am to MadtownTiger
quote:
the garbage transmission they put in those years went out...Valve bodies are just notoriously terrible
yep- my truck was in shop for 4 months. And there was a backorder on new ones.
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