2003 Sierra starts then dies

Asked by Daniel_GA Jan 15, 2019 at 08:56 AM about the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Standard Cab LB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2003 Sierra v6, starts then dies.  Very cold outside.  If I keep pressing the gas it will run but when I let off and it comes to an idle it dies like its out of gas.  
The next time I tried I turned the headlights off and it started and idled fine.  As soon as I turned the headlights on it died.  The battery is less that a year old.  There are no CEL lights.

3 Answers
64,510

firebird338 answered 5 years ago

Sounds like the alternator is not fully charging have it tested for correct charging should be charging at 14 volts.

Mark helpful

Daniel_GA answered 5 years ago

That's what I was thinking. However, back in the old days (before computers in cars) when the alternator died the car would run off the battery until the battery was drained. Is that not the case anymore?

Mark helpful
64,510

firebird338 answered 5 years ago

Back in the old days you could remove battery terminal from battery and if it stayed running alternator was good if stopped running alternator bad can not do that with vehicles that have computers will fry it.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • 2003 Sierra starts then dies 3 Answers

    2003 Sierra v6, starts then dies. Very cold outside. If I keep pressing the gas it will run but when I let off and it comes to an idle it dies like its out of gas. The next time I tried I turned t...

    2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Standard Cab LB

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 2003 GMC Sierra Denali truck starts then dies 1 Answer

    Start s then dies right away

    2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali AWD Extended Cab SB

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • truck starts then dies 1 Answer

    truck starts then dies it may run for a minute then act like its out of gas

    GMC Sierra 1500

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 Low Idle, then dies 4 Answers

    I drove my GMC Sierra (1998) round trip two days ago about 250 miles, which is more than usual As I got off the interstate and was stopping at the stop sign, I noticed it wanted to idle low and was...

    1998 GMC Sierra 1500 C1500 SL Extended Cab SB

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • my 94 gmc sierra 1500 will start then dies and then wont start again for awhile 6 Answers

    i will start my truck and it will idle for alittle bit then it dies and wont start again for alittle while. you can smell fuel like it is flooded.. can anyone help plz, pretty much have replaced ever...

    1994 GMC Sierra 1500 K1500 SL 4WD Standard Cab SB

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Sierra 1500

Looking for a Used Sierra 1500 in your area?

CarGurus has 65,440 nationwide Sierra 1500 listings starting at $3,400.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 GMC Sierra 1500

Write a car review

Review another car

Shortcuts

Search GMC Sierra 1500 Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    yetilikesbeer
    Reputation
    12,340
  • #2
    dragonflyoffshore
    Reputation
    11,500
  • #3
    John Saffrahn
    Reputation
    11,440
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,101 Great Deals out of 131,112 listings starting at $1,000
Used Ford F-150
6,057 Great Deals out of 129,349 listings starting at $1,100
Used GMC Sierra 2500HD
540 Great Deals out of 19,941 listings starting at $4,500
Used Toyota Tundra
1,048 Great Deals out of 32,609 listings starting at $2,700
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,066 Great Deals out of 30,572 listings starting at $3,800
Used GMC Yukon
698 Great Deals out of 11,171 listings starting at $2,200
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,909 Great Deals out of 31,213 listings starting at $3,500
Used Dodge RAM 1500
90 Great Deals out of 1,537 listings starting at $1,700
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,072 Great Deals out of 19,933 listings starting at $1,300
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,418 Great Deals out of 41,717 listings starting at $3,979
Used GMC Canyon
336 Great Deals out of 10,454 listings starting at $2,900
Used Chevrolet Colorado
855 Great Deals out of 22,540 listings starting at $975

Used Cars for Sale

2024 GMC Sierra 1500 For Sale
69 Great Deals out of 43,186 listings starting at $28,434
2023 GMC Sierra 1500 For Sale
269 Great Deals out of 4,720 listings starting at $30,985
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 For Sale
181 Great Deals out of 1,649 listings starting at $28,590
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 For Sale
295 Great Deals out of 3,926 listings starting at $19,000
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 For Sale
180 Great Deals out of 2,368 listings starting at $17,990

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.