[04WhiteEscalade]

Hi All!

I have an 04 Escalade 6.0L with approx. 265k on it. I bought it with 250k on it and it has been an absolute brilliant truck, until recently... I am not very mechanically minded, but have started to learn and really want to continue to learn more. Just about any issues I am planning on working on myself along with a mechanic friend of mine and my brother in law who also has automotive training.

The Issue: I was driving on the highway when suddenly the check engine light came on and I was not able to accelerate past 55/60 mph. after a mile or so speed continued to get more restricted so I exited the freeway. After turning off the truck died while in operation. It started right back up, but was extremely sluggish and was sounding ugly. I was able to limp it into a gas station and had it towed back to my house. I have not done anything the past week other than get a OBD ll to get the codes off of it and start it for my brother in law and filmed a video for my mechanic friend. I am including the video on here.

The codes displaying are:

-P0200
-P0300


My mechanic friend thought it could be the injectors, fuel filter or pump.

My brother in law thought injectors, wiring harness or PCM.


Based on my investigation I think fuel pump could be the most likely culprit, so I am planning on renting a fuel pressure gauge to test the fuel pressure today as well as replace the fuel filter. Based on this info and the video (hopefully no issues with upload) any suggestions? I am thinking that I may go ahead and do the spark plugs, plug wires, and heat shields. I'm hoping this is just a bad fuel filter, but once I test fuel pressure I'll know more. My brother in law also recommended replacing the ignition coils. I think I am on the right path here, but could use all the help/info I can get. Thanks!

Video:

 

[Grady_In_Texas]

Just some thoughts:
po200 = Fuel injector and/or ECM issue
p0300 = Misfire(s)

1) Can you read live data stream with your code reader? That might give some fuel clues and mis-fire clues (i.e. coil packs). Mine, which was cheap on Amazon, does.
2) I wouldn't jump in to changing wholesale coil packs, plugs or injectors just yet. It was working so they shouldn't have all (or most all) failed. Probably something else farther upstream.
3) Test your battery (voltage) and grounds. That's an older truck and wires/connectors many have gotten corroded or the battery may be going.
4) Check YouTube for diagnostic how-to videos. See this for some ideas:

And there are others, this was the first one that popped up.

 

[Usamestizo]

I agree with Grady. The fact that you have a po 200 code indicates that the misfire is most likely being caused by a dirty or bad fuel injector, a relatively inexpensive repair. That is where you should focus your attention to first BEFORE you start buying other parts that you dont need and will not fix the problem. Also, if you are serious about learning to do your own work, a TECH 2 code reader is a must have tool.good luck

 

[jnrsesv]

Welcome! I don't believe the 2004 model years have a fuel filter. There is more of a strainer on the bottom of the fuel pump that is "self cleaning".

At 265k on the clock, pull a spark plug or 2 to check condition. The iridium plugs have about a 100k life span. If you have a hundo it might be worth changing plugs and wires. Pretty straight forward, the passenger rear plug is the toughest to remove. I change plugs and wires (OEM AC Delco) on our '05 at 100k. I have 331k on our original 6.0!

Start with the fuel pressure test. I did change my original fuel pump with an AC Delco at 275k. It was running strong but, I figured cheaper now than being out of state on the side of the road 😉.

Please follow up with what you guys figure out!

 

[04WhiteEscalade]

Just some thoughts:
po200 = Fuel injector and/or ECM issue
p0300 = Misfire(s)

1) Can you read live data stream with your code reader? That might give some fuel clues and mis-fire clues (i.e. coil packs). Mine, which was cheap on Amazon, does.
2) I wouldn't jump in to changing wholesale coil packs, plugs or injectors just yet. It was working so they shouldn't have all (or most all) failed. Probably something else farther upstream.
3) Test your battery (voltage) and grounds. That's an older truck and wires/connectors many have gotten corroded or the battery may be going.
4) Check YouTube for diagnostic how-to videos. See this for some ideas:

And there are others, this was the first one that popped up.

Thanks for this! I am going to check my battery today. And I also got a OBD ll sensor off amazon by MotoPower, it does read live data so I will need to dig into what it all means and see if that provides any insights. Not going to jump into changing anything out just yet, so thanks for that, just focusing on diagnosing the issue right now. Appreciate the video I will check it out!

 

[04WhiteEscalade]

I agree with Grady. The fact that you have a po 200 code indicates that the misfire is most likely being caused by a dirty or bad fuel injector, a relatively inexpensive repair. That is where you should focus your attention to first BEFORE you start buying other parts that you dont need and will not fix the problem. Also, if you are serious about learning to do your own work, a TECH 2 code reader is a must have tool.good luck

Thank you, I am going to test the resistance in the connectors today to see if that gets me anywhere. Appreciate the info, I am not planning on buying anything until the problem is diagnosed. And thank you for the feedback on the tech 2 code reader, I am serious but also seriously on a budget right now so that is why I am limited with the relatively inexpensive code reader I currently have. From my gearhead friends I have gotten similar information about the low likelihood of multiple cylinders going at the same time so it is reassuring to have you provide that insight. What is the best way to tell if I have a dirty or failing injector, is there any test or visual inspection I can conduct to determine the condition of the injectors? Thanks!

 

[04WhiteEscalade]

Welcome! I don't believe the 2004 model years have a fuel filter. There is more of a strainer on the bottom of the fuel pump that is "self cleaning".

At 265k on the clock, pull a spark plug or 2 to check condition. The iridium plugs have about a 100k life span. If you have a hundo it might be worth changing plugs and wires. Pretty straight forward, the passenger rear plug is the toughest to remove. I change plugs and wires (OEM AC Delco) on our '05 at 100k. I have 331k on our original 6.0!

Start with the fuel pressure test. I did change my original fuel pump with an AC Delco at 275k. It was running strong but, I figured cheaper now than being out of state on the side of the road 😉.

Please follow up with what you guys figure out!

Thanks! And you are 100% correct, the fuel filter is internal, they changed it in '04. I had found a video on changing the fuel filter but it was done on a 2002, after driving myself mad trying to find the fuel filter location the other day I found a forum that mentioned that they changed it in '04.

Today I am planning on checking the plugs, not sure when they were last changed. Some of my automotive minded friends have mentioned that the likelihood of multiple spark plugs going at the same time is low, but relatively low cost to replace so I was thinking that wouldn't be a terrible thing to do. I am most focused on diagnosis right now and will most likely check those last after I get through looking at the injectors.

I did do a fuel pressure test and the fuel pressure is strong, so it doesn't appear to be the pump, which although it does seem straightforward is nice that I won't have to drop the tank at this time. Hopefully I can make it a little past the 275k mark, but that is good to know that is when you had to do it. After all the information I have gotten here and from friends I feel like the problem had to lie at the injectors. Hopefully I can figure it out after testing today. Thanks again and will keep updating as I learn more and diagnose the issue!

 

[Grady_In_Texas]

Check your data streams. If you have lots of mis-fires on specific cylinders. then plugs, wires and coil packs are worth changing. If you have no (or a few) misfires, start by looking elesewhrere. 2 Cents. Grady

 

[badpoints]

Try unplugging the mass airflow sensor.

 

[sergioregraguy_0]

The fact that you have a po 200 code indicates that the misfire is most likely being caused by a dirty or bad fuel injector, a relatively inexpensive repair.

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[04WhiteEscalade]

UPDATE

I had to take the car into my preferred shop for repairs. The culprit was melted wires and a faulty cheap ignition coil. Appreciate all the help and just wanted to let you guys know what the issues ended up being. Truck is running great and although it was more expensive than I'd hoped, it wasn't terrible. Thanks again!