1999 Blazer Help...Won't Start
sakicfan84
01-07-2008, 09:41 AM
Hey guys, was hoping you all could offer some insight into an issue we're having with a 1999 blazer.
Two days ago, the car started up just fine but had a continuous clicking sound going on coming from the front of the car. They said the clicking died off completely as the car got warmed up, and the car ran just fine.
The car was going to be taken out again this morning, but the car wouldn't start up. The engine rotates fine, but it won't catch. There isn't any out of the ordinary noises when they try to start it; the fuel pump engages, and lights and radio operate when the ignition is turned for accessories.
I'm going to try to jump the battery with my car later and try to see if that will get it going, but I'm not sure that the battery should be a concern of mine since there hasn't been any indication of a failing battery and all the lights and radio still function normally.
I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what that constant clicking sound might have been?
Two days ago, the car started up just fine but had a continuous clicking sound going on coming from the front of the car. They said the clicking died off completely as the car got warmed up, and the car ran just fine.
The car was going to be taken out again this morning, but the car wouldn't start up. The engine rotates fine, but it won't catch. There isn't any out of the ordinary noises when they try to start it; the fuel pump engages, and lights and radio operate when the ignition is turned for accessories.
I'm going to try to jump the battery with my car later and try to see if that will get it going, but I'm not sure that the battery should be a concern of mine since there hasn't been any indication of a failing battery and all the lights and radio still function normally.
I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what that constant clicking sound might have been?
MT-2500
01-07-2008, 09:56 AM
What engine?
When no start.
Check for lose of spark to plugs and fuel pressure.
Post back what you find.
The clicking you will need to pinpoint when it is doing it.
When no start.
Check for lose of spark to plugs and fuel pressure.
Post back what you find.
The clicking you will need to pinpoint when it is doing it.
Sparky1349
01-09-2008, 03:17 PM
Hey,
The ticking sounds like a lifter noise. I had this issue sporatically for a couple of months in the spring of last year. I used SeaFoam in the crankcase and I haven't had the noise since.
Sparky
The ticking sounds like a lifter noise. I had this issue sporatically for a couple of months in the spring of last year. I used SeaFoam in the crankcase and I haven't had the noise since.
Sparky
2percent
01-09-2008, 03:22 PM
could the clicking be the starter getting stuck?
sakicfan84
01-09-2008, 04:06 PM
Just a little update here.
Car wouldn't start for about 2 days or so, since my parents seemed content just letting the car sit there and using the other one, I took it upon myself to mess around with some stuff. Didn't have a pressure gauge or anything for testing the gas pressure, but gas did squirt out of the test valve after I poked it with a screwdriver. Put some starter fluid in the intake, and still didn't go.
I tested out the spark plug wires, and they all seemed to have good spark. There was a lot of build up under the distributor cap though, so I cleaned the inside with a rag. After I put the cap back on and tried to start the car up, it took a few turns, but it ended up catching and sounded like it was running normal. Has started up without any problems since then. Seems to be that the moisture and buildup under the distributor cap was preventing the car from firing up. The cap was just replaced a few months ago, maybe it just wasn't put on tightly or something.
No clue at all what the clicking sound was from though. I didn't hear anything after I had gotten the car started up, and I didn't notice anything the next couple times I started it up. Could the clicking noise have been related to moisture that appearantly kept the car from starting? All in all, I'm happy that I saved my parents from getting the car towed to the mechanic, but I'm still curious to find out what the clicking noise was all about.
Car wouldn't start for about 2 days or so, since my parents seemed content just letting the car sit there and using the other one, I took it upon myself to mess around with some stuff. Didn't have a pressure gauge or anything for testing the gas pressure, but gas did squirt out of the test valve after I poked it with a screwdriver. Put some starter fluid in the intake, and still didn't go.
I tested out the spark plug wires, and they all seemed to have good spark. There was a lot of build up under the distributor cap though, so I cleaned the inside with a rag. After I put the cap back on and tried to start the car up, it took a few turns, but it ended up catching and sounded like it was running normal. Has started up without any problems since then. Seems to be that the moisture and buildup under the distributor cap was preventing the car from firing up. The cap was just replaced a few months ago, maybe it just wasn't put on tightly or something.
No clue at all what the clicking sound was from though. I didn't hear anything after I had gotten the car started up, and I didn't notice anything the next couple times I started it up. Could the clicking noise have been related to moisture that appearantly kept the car from starting? All in all, I'm happy that I saved my parents from getting the car towed to the mechanic, but I'm still curious to find out what the clicking noise was all about.
MT-2500
01-09-2008, 04:20 PM
Go easy on starting fluid.
That stuff will blow off the valve cover or oil pan.
Carb cleaner is a lot safer for a start test,
Was there moisture inside the dist cap?
If so I would go a new AC delco dist cap.
Also check for ac lines or other stuff driping on dist.
Moisture in a dist cap or bad plug wires will make spark jump and sometimes a clicking sound.
Good Luck and good job on getting it going.
MT
That stuff will blow off the valve cover or oil pan.
Carb cleaner is a lot safer for a start test,
Was there moisture inside the dist cap?
If so I would go a new AC delco dist cap.
Also check for ac lines or other stuff driping on dist.
Moisture in a dist cap or bad plug wires will make spark jump and sometimes a clicking sound.
Good Luck and good job on getting it going.
MT
Sparky1349
01-09-2008, 04:58 PM
Hey,
Common this time of year when you get a quick warm up and everything is cld that moisture can condense on the ignition system and cause no start, hard start, poor drivability, etc..... 2 friends just had the same problems - clean plugs, dry distributor cap, spray wires with WD40 then cranked engine with throttle wide open and engine started right up. If your sure that the distributor cap was the problem you may want to replace it, once there has been a cross fire in the cap it leaves a minute carbon track on the surface of the cap, this can lead to miss fires in the future.
The clicking (or ticking noise) is likely lifter noise due to sludge in the lifters causing one or more to bleed down while engine is off. There are several other threads with this issue. I had the issue with '02 Blazer (4.3L) about 5 months ago (happened about 4-5 times over 2 week time frame). Used SeaFoam in the crankcase and it hasn't come back.
Sparky
Common this time of year when you get a quick warm up and everything is cld that moisture can condense on the ignition system and cause no start, hard start, poor drivability, etc..... 2 friends just had the same problems - clean plugs, dry distributor cap, spray wires with WD40 then cranked engine with throttle wide open and engine started right up. If your sure that the distributor cap was the problem you may want to replace it, once there has been a cross fire in the cap it leaves a minute carbon track on the surface of the cap, this can lead to miss fires in the future.
The clicking (or ticking noise) is likely lifter noise due to sludge in the lifters causing one or more to bleed down while engine is off. There are several other threads with this issue. I had the issue with '02 Blazer (4.3L) about 5 months ago (happened about 4-5 times over 2 week time frame). Used SeaFoam in the crankcase and it hasn't come back.
Sparky
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