Original owner of a 1995 4x4, 4.3L, 144K miles - Nothing done to engine except replace spark plugs.
This may help someone with the no-start situations.
Recently I had a problem with the battery going dead after sitting a week or so. Then I noticed after sitting a couple days the battery seemed to be low, and although it would still turn the engine over at a good rate the engine wouldn’t start. (I could tell the engine wasn’t turning over quite as fast as it should, but the average person would never be able to tell the difference) The engine would hit a couple licks when I first turned the key, like it was going to start, but it wouldn’t hit enough to start. Further running of the starter did nothing – it wouldn’t even hit a couple more licks. I found by bumping the starter, then turning the key off, then bumping the starter again, and repeating this procedure 4 or 5 times the engine would finally start. Once started it would run and idle fine. I also found that upon charging the battery it would start immediately on first try. I replaced the battery and no more problems.
No doubt, with the 3/4 charged battery, something wasn’t receiving enough current to allow the engine to start. Anyone have any ideas about what was going on – i.e. not enough current to fire the plugs or not enough current to run the fuel pump? What are some of your thoughts?
In case you're wondering if I could hear the fuel pump running, I couldn't - I've never been able to hear the fuel pump run. I know people say the fuel pump should run a few seconds when the key is turned on, but I've never been able to hear it run. Course, my hearing is not what it should be!!
DelC