1993 Chevy starting problem
JROB46
02-04-2013, 03:51 PM
I have a 1993 Chevy Silverado rwd automatic 350 5.7. It died on me on the way to work this morning. It slowly lost power and acceleration. The lights and radio all worked. When I tried to restart, it tried to start but then just cranked like it had no fuel or spark.
I had it towed home and checked the following things. I removed the fuel filter, it is clear. I verified that the fuel pump was working by turn the key to the on position while the filter was off. Good stream of fuel. I verified that there was fuel to the TBI. Good spray while cranking. I verified that there was spark by pulling a plug out, connecting to the wire and cranking the engine. Spark seemed weak but there was spark. The front plugs were dry, but the rear plugs, especially #8 was very wet. I verified the timing by pulling the #1 plug, removing the distributor cap and checked the rotor position. I bumped the engine to get the #1 piston to the top of the cylinder and the rotor was point directly at the #1 plug wire. The cap, rotor, plugs and wires are only 1 month old.
I also tried to check the ignition coil by disconnecting the coil wire from coil, and slid the boot back to expose the contact. I held it just of the coil while the engine was cranked, but did not actually see a spark at the coil. I did not hear any arcing. I pulled another plug and checked for spark. Again i had spark. Just seems weak to me.
I am on my way to the auto parts store to get a new coil. Any thoughts as to what else this problem might be? It's going to rain a few days this week here in Houston, so I don't want to ride mike motorcycle in it everyday. I just cleaned it. I appreciate any help you folks can give me. Thanks.
I had it towed home and checked the following things. I removed the fuel filter, it is clear. I verified that the fuel pump was working by turn the key to the on position while the filter was off. Good stream of fuel. I verified that there was fuel to the TBI. Good spray while cranking. I verified that there was spark by pulling a plug out, connecting to the wire and cranking the engine. Spark seemed weak but there was spark. The front plugs were dry, but the rear plugs, especially #8 was very wet. I verified the timing by pulling the #1 plug, removing the distributor cap and checked the rotor position. I bumped the engine to get the #1 piston to the top of the cylinder and the rotor was point directly at the #1 plug wire. The cap, rotor, plugs and wires are only 1 month old.
I also tried to check the ignition coil by disconnecting the coil wire from coil, and slid the boot back to expose the contact. I held it just of the coil while the engine was cranked, but did not actually see a spark at the coil. I did not hear any arcing. I pulled another plug and checked for spark. Again i had spark. Just seems weak to me.
I am on my way to the auto parts store to get a new coil. Any thoughts as to what else this problem might be? It's going to rain a few days this week here in Houston, so I don't want to ride mike motorcycle in it everyday. I just cleaned it. I appreciate any help you folks can give me. Thanks.
j cAT
02-04-2013, 05:35 PM
I have a 1993 Chevy Silverado rwd automatic 350 5.7. It died on me on the way to work this morning. It slowly lost power and acceleration. The lights and radio all worked. When I tried to restart, it tried to start but then just cranked like it had no fuel or spark.
I had it towed home and checked the following things. I removed the fuel filter, it is clear. I verified that the fuel pump was working by turn the key to the on position while the filter was off. Good stream of fuel. I verified that there was fuel to the TBI. Good spray while cranking. I verified that there was spark by pulling a plug out, connecting to the wire and cranking the engine. Spark seemed weak but there was spark. The front plugs were dry, but the rear plugs, especially #8 was very wet. I verified the timing by pulling the #1 plug, removing the distributor cap and checked the rotor position. I bumped the engine to get the #1 piston to the top of the cylinder and the rotor was point directly at the #1 plug wire. The cap, rotor, plugs and wires are only 1 month old.
I also tried to check the ignition coil by disconnecting the coil wire from coil, and slid the boot back to expose the contact. I held it just of the coil while the engine was cranked, but did not actually see a spark at the coil. I did not hear any arcing. I pulled another plug and checked for spark. Again i had spark. Just seems weak to me.
I am on my way to the auto parts store to get a new coil. Any thoughts as to what else this problem might be? It's going to rain a few days this week here in Houston, so I don't want to ride mike motorcycle in it everyday. I just cleaned it. I appreciate any help you folks can give me. Thanks.
have the ICM checked. I believe auto zone has a module tester [WELLS].could be the distributor is shot.check for rotor play.
I had it towed home and checked the following things. I removed the fuel filter, it is clear. I verified that the fuel pump was working by turn the key to the on position while the filter was off. Good stream of fuel. I verified that there was fuel to the TBI. Good spray while cranking. I verified that there was spark by pulling a plug out, connecting to the wire and cranking the engine. Spark seemed weak but there was spark. The front plugs were dry, but the rear plugs, especially #8 was very wet. I verified the timing by pulling the #1 plug, removing the distributor cap and checked the rotor position. I bumped the engine to get the #1 piston to the top of the cylinder and the rotor was point directly at the #1 plug wire. The cap, rotor, plugs and wires are only 1 month old.
I also tried to check the ignition coil by disconnecting the coil wire from coil, and slid the boot back to expose the contact. I held it just of the coil while the engine was cranked, but did not actually see a spark at the coil. I did not hear any arcing. I pulled another plug and checked for spark. Again i had spark. Just seems weak to me.
I am on my way to the auto parts store to get a new coil. Any thoughts as to what else this problem might be? It's going to rain a few days this week here in Houston, so I don't want to ride mike motorcycle in it everyday. I just cleaned it. I appreciate any help you folks can give me. Thanks.
have the ICM checked. I believe auto zone has a module tester [WELLS].could be the distributor is shot.check for rotor play.
JROB46
02-04-2013, 06:43 PM
Thanks, Jcat. It actually turned out to be the ignition coil. I've never had one do this before. They usually either work or they don't. This one allowed for a weak spark to get to the plugs, but not enough spark to ignite the fuel. Got lucky and it was a $40.00 fix.
j cAT
02-05-2013, 07:47 AM
Thanks, Jcat. It actually turned out to be the ignition coil. I've never had one do this before. They usually either work or they don't. This one allowed for a weak spark to get to the plugs, but not enough spark to ignite the fuel. Got lucky and it was a $40.00 fix.
the plug wires condition and the ignition system if it had any arcing this does damage the coil and the ICM. use dielectric grease in the spark plug boots to reduce arcing and the deterioration . keeping the wires and electrical components clean if dust gets on them . use a air pressure to blow off any debris.
hopefully the plugs and cat converter did not get too much carbon ed up.
the plug wires condition and the ignition system if it had any arcing this does damage the coil and the ICM. use dielectric grease in the spark plug boots to reduce arcing and the deterioration . keeping the wires and electrical components clean if dust gets on them . use a air pressure to blow off any debris.
hopefully the plugs and cat converter did not get too much carbon ed up.
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