'97 Blazer starting problem.

I have a '97 blazer and am having problems starting. I have recently hit a string of bad luck. A couple months ago I had the tranny go out missing 2nd 4th and Rev. Typical blazer problem. (not the issue but may be the cause) I bought a used tranny and had it installed. It had apox 70,000 on it. Ever since I got it back from the shop it has been dificult to start. Especially in cold climates. I brought it back to the shop and they have had it for 3 weeks. This is what they came up with.

Good fuel flow.
Good ignition.
Had monitors on all the wire on the igition. (all good)
Even just replaced the starter to elimiate it. (Didn't fix it)

If you turn the key it will turn over till the battery is dead.
If you turn it over a couple of times, let off and they do it again. It will start.
Once it is started it will start no problem for around 3 hours till it goes back to not starting.

Has anyone else had this problem?
No check engine light is on.
Can anyone help me.

4.3?

4.3?
Yes.

Please help!!!

Pleas please help.

bost to top... I really need some help. I am stuck and need the car running.

A little more info on your problem might help out with a solution. For instance, good fuel flow; to where? The schrader valve on the pressure line? Or are the injectors putting out fuel? Did you wring out the injector wiring? What is the fuel pressure? Does the fuel pressure meet specs? Do the dash lights work when you turn over the engine? Give some more detail, then the help you seek may appear. Good luck....

I have had the same problem just start with my 97, this is what other forums said.

JJBRD
My 2000 Blazer dosen't start in cold temps. It does start in warmer temps ...like above 33 or so. It acts like its not getting any fuel...it does crank and I can hear the fuel pump working...my brother (my mechanic) has tried many different things, replacing sensors..modules, etc. but still no luck!
Has anybody else had this problem?

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GMMerlin
Is your brother a professional technician or just the guy who can work on your vehicle?

First check the spark and fuel pressure.
Coolant sensor reading incorrectly can give the PCM false information causing the PCM not to command the proper fuel delivery.
Also on that model, sticking poppets can cause a cold start proplem..
Read this thread to find out more
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=182246

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JJBRD
I see your name on alot of these responses....you MUST know your stuff! thanks so much for taking time to answer these questions....... I'm forwarding these posts to my brother. Yes he is a professional tech has been working on vehicles for 20 years or so. He used to work for Caddillac then started his own business....

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GMMerlin
I see your name on alot of these responses....you MUST know your stuff! thanks so much for taking time to answer these questions....... I'm forwarding these posts to my brother. Yes he is a professional tech has been working on vehicles for 20 years or so. He used to work for Caddillac then started his own business....

Don't take the comment about your brother the wrong way..I see a lot of posts refering to family members who are "mechanics" only to find out they are the only ones in the family who own a set of tools...

The injector poppet problem is often misdiagnosed..but can cause the concern you are having...

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cybermoser
JJBRD,

Did you find your problem? I have a 97 with the same problem, could you please e-mail me the fix if you have it to [email protected]

Thank you.

Glenn Peters
I hear that sticking poppets(injection) is common on the 4.3 Vortex. I also hear there is some sort of procedure to check this and free them up, I hear it's done while driving ????? Any one know about this by chance ?

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comp
fuel system cleaner added to gas at fill-up first. are you sure your not
thinking "lifters" they were called poppets a while back

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GMMerlin
I hear that sticking poppets(injection) is common on the 4.3 Vortex. I also hear there is some sort of procedure to check this and free them up, I hear it's done while driving ????? Any one know about this by chance ?


SOme GM engines (4.3,5.0,5.7) built between 95 and 02 have a Central Sequential Fuel Injection system equipped with ball on seat poppet valves...a poppet valve is a mechanical fuel injector.

These poppets are known to stick closed or open, caused by deposits from the fuels you use.
The sticking poppet can cause a misfire or no start condition..mostly cold or a general loss of power.
There is a GM technical bulletin #00-06-04-003B that addresses this issue...it includes a procedure for unsticking the poppets using high pressure nitrogen and a cleaning procedure...or.. if the poppets will not unstick there is an upgraded injector conversion kit that eleminates the poppets.
Personally I have had very good sucess with the unsticking procedure with probally less that 20% of vehicles needing the conversion.

The use of pour in injector cleaners or standard pressurized injection cleaning services will not unstick the poppets...The procedure outlined in the GM bulletin does work and from my experiance usually takes 8-10 attempts before a poppet will unstick ( you can cycle the injector /poppet assembly as many times as needed to unstick the poppet during the procedure)








If you find the problem please e-mail me with the fix.

[email protected]

Nine times out of ten this is a result of low fuel pressure. For some reason the newer 4.3 engines require over 60 psi to start right. Check the pressure and if under 60, even 55 or so, you need a new pump. Cycling the key on and off before starting will often build the pressure to a starting level and it will kick off normal. Those pumps must be replaced as a complete unit, expensive like most other standard repairs on late model S10s.