5.3 ran, but now it won't - sort of

[OKGMC4]

It's been running but the start has been getting harder. You'd have to turn the key a couple of times and it would click, then hit. Now it clicks and won't hit even with multiple key turns. It turns over great if I unplug all the injectors. Locks up again when you plug them back in. The couple times I did get it started it backfired but ran. Smells rich. Somehow this is fuel related. Just no idea how to tell what. Could a faulty pressure regulator be dumping too much fuel? I could see bad gas not letting it run right but not making it stop turning over. I wouldn't think all the injectors got stuck wide open at the same time? Any ideas? Please?

[Gordonr1973]

Not sure...some guesses:

Are you sure the injectors are clean?

Anti-theft program turned off?

Sure the fuel pump is getting power?

Do you have a code reader to read the PCM?

[OKGMC4]

Looks like it was something simple and strange...I was wondering if the battery was run down from all the trying to start. I put my digital battery charger on it and it said the battery was at 59%. It showed fully charged in about 4 minutes, which seemed too fast. 15 minutes later it said 59% again. I tried to start the truck on the 50 amp quick start option and it starts every time. It would seem my 1 year old battery is broken, but not so broken that it goes completely dead, just enough to give me problems. I'll try to get the battery warrantied out and see what happens.

[truckdude239]

battery has a dead cell soiunds like

[OKGMC4]

OK, wasn't the battery. Tried a different battery and same problem. Might have had two problems at the same time. Still might or might not start. It either just clicks and won't turn over or it starts and runs (very rich though, you can see the unburnt fuel hanging in the air.) Could an injector stuck open cause it to hydrolock?