I've done everything still won't start

hi to all

Well I've checked every thing in the starting system I even replaced spark plugs ,wires,distributor cap ,Ignition coil,Ignition module. I've checked the compression I'm getting 120 psi

I'm getting an orange spark , I've charged the battery

Still will not start

Please help
Albee9

its turning over ,all that is brand new, and you are sure its getting fule? if so make sure you have the ocrrect fireing order on the distributor/coil.

its turning over ,all that is brand new, and you are sure its getting fule? if so make sure you have the ocrrect fireing order on the distributor/coil.

yes , It's getting gas ,and Yes the firing order is right.

I've been over it like a lot thought I may have missed something ,but every thing is as it should be .

oh and yes it turning over

the only thing I can think of is the pick up coil or the ecm

A little help? Please post the vehicle, engine, and year.

I don't know to tell you to gap your points, recharge the magneto, or check for OBD2 fault codes...

You've at least found the problem; weak spark.

A little help? Please post the vehicle, engine, and year.

I don't know to tell you to gap your points, recharge the magneto, or check for OBD2 fault codes...

You've at least found the problem; weak spark.



It 84 chevy caprice 229 engine.

it was running after I replaced the intake gaskets, one head gasket,new timing chain, then I replaced the carb the thats when all my problems started .

I rebuilded the carb because I thought it was flooding ,now the carb works like it should .

I just can't get the car to start.


Thank you
Albee9

You say it was running after all that gasket work, right? So the problem is probably carb related. The HEI rarely goes bad, so I'll assume the orange spark is a fluke. The only thing I can think of is that when you replaced the coil, you didn't use the little ground strap under the cap or the spring at the bottom got crooked, but I'm sure you checked that.

For now lets look to the carb. That is the main thing that changed after the last time it ran. Its probably a dualjet? If so there are a thousand things that need to line up perfectly in there and sometimes you don't know it. I can't tell you how many I've assembled and found out later I missed a jet with a rod. I pull it apart and find the rod bent off to the side. Another common mistake is that folks rebuild a carb because of a mixture problem. Mixture in a carb is mechanically controlled, so unless something mechanical has changed (idle screws, float level, choke setting, etc) a simple rebuild won't help. You have to follow every single step and reset all the bench settings. Set the float level, reset the choke, reset idle screws... the list is pretty big. It could be one of several carb issues so I'd pull it apart and check again.

You also didn't say if you replaced the fuel pump. The easiest way to have a fuel pump go bad is to stop using it and then expose it to air. The rubber diaphragm in there gets eaten by gasoline, but then when air hits it after not being used (like when you had the engine torn apart for a few days) it will dry up and often crack. Are you sure the carb has gas? When you look down the throats and operate the linkage do you see squirts of fuel?

Since you said it ran after all that gasket work, but now it doesn't after the carb switch, I would suspect something about the fuel system. Its also possible that you just haven't found the right timing yet. Pull the cap and make sure your rotor is pointing at the right cylinder. It could be 180 off, or it might have turned on you before you tightened it back down. That is a common problem.

When you pulled the plug to check spark, was the plug wet? If so, you know you're getting fuel. That might also explain the orange spark. They don't fire well when soaked with gas. For that reason I suggest trying to heat them up with a lighter or match. Get them good and hot to evaporate the gas out of the ceramic's pores. If they weren't wet, you're not getting gas.

You say it was running after all that gasket work, right? So the problem is probably carb related. The HEI rarely goes bad, so I'll assume the orange spark is a fluke. The only thing I can think of is that when you replaced the coil, you didn't use the little ground strap under the cap or the spring at the bottom got crooked, but I'm sure you checked that.

For now lets look to the carb. That is the main thing that changed after the last time it ran. Its probably a dualjet? If so there are a thousand things that need to line up perfectly in there and sometimes you don't know it. I can't tell you how many I've assembled and found out later I missed a jet with a rod. I pull it apart and find the rod bent off to the side. Another common mistake is that folks rebuild a carb because of a mixture problem. Mixture in a carb is mechanically controlled, so unless something mechanical has changed (idle screws, float level, choke setting, etc) a simple rebuild won't help. You have to follow every single step and reset all the bench settings. Set the float level, reset the choke, reset idle screws... the list is pretty big. It could be one of several carb issues so I'd pull it apart and check again.

You also didn't say if you replaced the fuel pump. The easiest way to have a fuel pump go bad is to stop using it and then expose it to air. The rubber diaphragm in there gets eaten by gasoline, but then when air hits it after not being used (like when you had the engine torn apart for a few days) it will dry up and often crack. Are you sure the carb has gas? When you look down the throats and operate the linkage do you see squirts of fuel?

Since you said it ran after all that gasket work, but now it doesn't after the carb switch, I would suspect something about the fuel system. Its also possible that you just haven't found the right timing yet. Pull the cap and make sure your rotor is pointing at the right cylinder. It could be 180 off, or it might have turned on you before you tightened it back down. That is a common problem.

When you pulled the plug to check spark, was the plug wet? If so, you know you're getting fuel. That might also explain the orange spark. They don't fire well when soaked with gas. For that reason I suggest trying to heat them up with a lighter or match. Get them good and hot to evaporate the gas out of the ceramic's pores. If they weren't wet, you're not getting gas.


Yes i'm getting gas to the spark plugs so I'll try heating them up like you suggested ,and see what happens if any thing.

If that works then I may have to reset the carb.

oh I did rechecked the timing and that seems to be fine ,but I Will check again.

Thank you for you suggestions
Albee9

Quick note

I haven't got to the car yet , but I will let you know how it turns out

mm chevy

Thank you to all

I got the car running .

yes it was the carb I put another one on ,and got it started now just have to find out how to get it to stay running.
Albee9