Contact Points?

I have an 89 Chevy C1500 HD and im just wondering if it uses contact points or not. I heard they stoped using them in the early 80's, but it wont go WOT and just falls on its face when I try anything more than 1/4 throttle from a stop or idle. I replaced the cap, plugs, and other misc. parts and it still does it so im thinking of taking the distributer apart and checking that, but if it doesn't have contact points I don't wanna take it all apart and find out after all that work haha. Thanks.

You have a HEI distributor (I think), I'm trying to remember how those are set up, it's been awhile since I've worked on a pre-1996 truck. Ok it's got a coil pac and solid state spark module (takes the place of breaker points) inside distributor. Is your dist. cap larger than standard with brass/metalic prongs (where plug wires snap on) around the outside edge of cap? I'm not sure about 89, is it fuel injected or hav a ECM? A dead HEI dist is usally just the soild state module (inside cap) failure. And will leave you dead (no start, no run). Your problem sounds like lack of fuel volume at over 1/4 throttle. Could be as easy as change inline filter. But like I said, I'm not sure what changes (if any) where made in 1988, 89 C/K truck line.

i would replace the fuel filter first if it hasn't been changed in awhile. then if that doesn't work then u should check the egr valve. to check this disconnect the vacuum line, push the diaphram up(with your finger), place your finger over the hole where the vacuum line was and if the egr valve is good the diaphram shouldn't move.

I changed the oil and filter like a month ago. Im thinking of checking the fuel pump, but dont feel like it unless i have to. I know what an EGR is and everytyhing, but for the life of me I cant find it on the truck. I have a feeling its the timing, fuel pump, EGR or all three. What do you think the reason for not being able to go into first gear manually, and for the clunking and bogging or whatever at idle and stop. It doesnt do it all the time, but about 90% of it i think. Its been driving me nuts cuz there is obviously something wrong with it, but I dont know what to do bout it. thanks.

this does not have the hei ignition. the distributor is totally seperate of the coil. there are no contact points, there is an electronic module.

Check your fuel pressure.

this does not have the hei ignition. the distributor is totally seperate of the coil. there are no contact points, there is an electronic module.

Thanks, I usally don't like to give info on something I really don't know. I did state the term "I think" and "I'm not sure". I am almost 99.9% sure there is no points in 1989. I had an 86 which was that HEI ( I don't care for the coil in the dist cap design). Do you know when the changes where made? And what type is on 89 C/K line? The truck's where much later than cars to get it's own "brain". GM midsize cars got there OBD (first generation PCM, ECM, VCM..or whatever you call it) in 1982.

click on this site and it'll show you the location of the egr valve
http://autorepair.about.com/library/illustrations/bl447a-lib.htm

as for the clunking, bogging and the inability to down shift to first. your check engine light should have come on by now and the codes stored in there could help find the problem better. it kind of sounds like you might have a combination of problems. if your light is on then click on the site below to help find out what it is.
http://www.troublecodes.net/GM/
if the light isn't on then:
1. the clunking and bogging sound like it has timing problems. i would check the vacuum lines to make sure they're all connected and have no cuts or cracks. then i would check spark plug wires look for correct firing order. then i would check the intial timing to make sure it was right. if it's a 1990 5.0 or 5.7 then intial timing should be 0 degrees. check out these things and see what you find.

Here's a little diddy I learned almost 40 years ago:

It it's missin', it's ignition;
Hesitation, carburaetion!

If it won't take WOT, you have fuel delivery problems. At least, that would be the first on the list.

I believe they changed in 1987-88. My 88 has the different cap and coil. My Chilton just calls it Distributor ignition. It says the system consists of the distributo, Hall Evect switch (camshaft position sensor), Ignition coil, secondary wires, spark plugs, knock sensor, and the crankshaft position sensor.

I have an 89 Chevy C1500 HD and im just wondering if it uses contact points or not. I heard they stoped using them in the early 80's, but it wont go WOT and just falls on its face when I try anything more than 1/4 throttle from a stop or idle. I replaced the cap, plugs, and other misc. parts and it still does it so im thinking of taking the distributer apart and checking that, but if it doesn't have contact points I don't wanna take it all apart and find out after all that work haha. Thanks.

Sounds like fuel pump to me! Same symtems I had. Changed mine at 140,000 miles.
You have to drop the fuel tank to change and put new lines on.
Or, unbolt the box from the chassie and access it from there.
Have the fuel pressure checked first, and yes it is electronic dist.( no points).
Fuel filter is on drivers side, inside frame, about under seat.

AND REMEMBER!!!
BE CARFUL WHEN MESSING WITH FUEL !!!!
NO LIGHT BULB TROUBLE LIGHTS THAT CAN BREAK AND EXSPLODE THE FUMES ! NO SMOKING, THE FUMES FROM THAT OPEN TANK CAN LINGER FOR A LONG TIME.

AND REMEMBER!!!
BE CARFUL WHEN MESSING WITH FUEL !!!!
NO LIGHT BULB TROUBLE LIGHTS THAT CAN BREAK AND EXSPLODE THE FUMES ! NO SMOKING, THE FUMES FROM THAT OPEN TANK CAN LINGER FOR A LONG TIME

OK Mr. saftey dad! .....I'm just kiddin please dont take that personaly, I just had to say that.

AND REMEMBER!!!
BE CARFUL WHEN MESSING WITH FUEL !!!!
NO LIGHT BULB TROUBLE LIGHTS THAT CAN BREAK AND EXSPLODE THE FUMES ! NO SMOKING, THE FUMES FROM THAT OPEN TANK CAN LINGER FOR A LONG TIME

OK Mr. saftey dad! .....I'm just kiddin please dont take that personaly, I just had to say that.

Better Saftey Dad then DEAD, right!

Just thought I would through that in from exsperience from 35 years ago... he's no longer with us.
Maybe I'm a little more cautious in my old age eh!

Not taken personnally :smokin:

A little bit of fumes in the garage can be fun for all the kids! nah i wouldnt do that. I have done vacuum, compression, like all the tests and stuff i could do with what i have and they were all fine. I think the fuel pump and timing are the only things i know that should be fixed. I think its been the same fuel pump for the last 270kish miles anyways...would that make my mileage so bad too? Ill get a new pump and borrow the neighbors timing gun next weekend. BTW I dont get a check engine light or any codes. :shakehead

Well my young friend, you have first generation ECM. Not exactly a perfect unit. they still aren't. Does anyone know if there is even a code for fuel delivery on OBD 1?

A bad fuel pump in an '89 1500 will not trigger any codes. Just give you potential hard start or poor running (lack of power). And after 270,000 miles......Check the pressure or just swap it, in my opinion, your on borrowed time with it.

Change it...you are LUCKY it is running at all with a pump that has almost 300K on it!!! :eek2: And as the previous posts stated, No OBD1 will not trigger a code for a fuel delivery problem, and it is FAR from perfect......OBD2 is far from perfect, IMHO

Change it...you are LUCKY it is running at all with a pump that has almost 300K on it!!! :eek2: And as the previous posts stated, No OBD1 will not trigger a code for a fuel delivery problem, and it is FAR from perfect......OBD2 is far from perfect, IMHO


You are damm rigth about that. ODB 2! what a joke the only thing they accomplish is making sure you don't pass emmissions test. while we are on this subject What would you do if you had a 98 k1500 that cost you $33,000 and won't pass it's 6 year smog test, but GM mechanics cant find problem after three different dealer's? Now you got a truck with 87,000 miles that looks great but is useless because you can't get it registered or insured.And over $700 in troubleshooting that didn't find a damm thing.

You got full coverage insurance????

You got a friend that is really stupid????

You got a river or a lake near by????

You got full coverage insurance????

You got a friend that is really stupid????

You got a river or a lake near by????


LOL! I did ask a friend if it would be easy to stage an insurance fraud. But It really is not my style. So what are you doing this weekend? Lets take drive down to the Pacific ocean. I'll let u drive

bring it up north here and register it in my town!!! :naughty: