98 Sierra won't start

[BigBoyBall]

This morning I went to start my truck, hit the remote starter and noticed that it didn't start. Ok no problem could be the bypass module went to the truck and tried to start it.
It Would not start and it seemed to me that the battery was not giving the engine enough juice, jumped the battery no start.
Replaced the battery, improved starting capability but still no start. Checked for spark at the plugs and it is there - got a nice jolt to prove it.
Poured a small amount of gas into the throttle body - still no start.
Did the stupid thing and tried replacing the fuel filter but ended up stripping the feed assembly (16mm wrench worked ok on the exit assembly)
Now I've put that back together and am having it towed to my buddies garage.
My personal feeling it that it is a timing issue - while cranking the engine to start at times and not always it would almost lose all power and seemed as if to say to me " Enough already I'm broken get me to a mechanice".
The few times I thought I had it going it would idle VERY ROUGHLY then just die out.
Just thought I'd post this here for some of your thoughts.
It's a 98 Sierra 1500 with a 5.0 engine 4 wheel drive fuel injected.
Thanks for taking the time to look at my problem.

[maxwedge]

Checking the fp is the first test to be done, 60-65 for the Vortech and it is easy to be fooled by having spark but not enough to fire off the mixture.

[ponchonutty]

Yeah, 2nd the fuel pressure check and also look at the dash for the security light.

[BigBoyBall]

Yes, I did check the security light and reset the bypass module thinking that that was the problem with the remote starter but to no avail it did not start and did not display the security light.
Check engine light is on and I hope it stays on this time so that he can read the diagnostic codes, battery light was on and check gauges light was also on.
Haven't seen the check gauges light stay on so long before. I guess we'll find out shortly what it is and I'll post it here.
Thanks for your replies.

[BigBoyBall]

How about this strange twist, before leaving for work this morning I had to put the keys and a check for the tow truck driver above my visor as I walked down to the street I decided " Why not give it one more shot and hit the remote starter".
The truck started, but not in it's normal manner. It acted as if it just caught with a slow idle that quickly picked back up to a normal idle. Greyish smoke left the exhaust and quickly disappeared.
I threw my hands up and decided to let it go to the garage for diagnosis and preventive maintenance as well as to possibly trouble shoot any problems.

[stingray427435]

I have a 1998 3500 with a 454 and am experiencing the same problems. I couldn't get it started with the key but a couple hours later it started with the remote. Got stranded and had to be towed home after tow truck driver and I tried to get it started. After he dropped it off and was driving away it started with the remote, something it wouldn't do an hour earlier. Thinking that it may be the battery, because the battery icon on the dash was lit as was the check gauges, I switched batteries. My other truck started and this one did not. I have not been able to find out what causes the battery icon to come on. I have access to All Data Pro but haven't found anything yet. If your mechanic finds the problem plesae post the fix. Thanks.

[BigBoyBall]

LOL LOL
2 Days at the garage and it's started each and every time for him without any problems.
I called the person who installed the remote starter and am making an appointment for him to take a look see.
I'm bumfuzzled to say the least at this one. Will have to see what the diagnostic codes reported to him at the garage, didn't have time today to speak with me about them.

[stingray427435]

At least your truck will start. I'll give mine a try again tonight. I've had my remote on for 6 years so maybe there is a loose connection shorting something out. Just don't understand why the low battery light stays on even when I have the battery charger at 50 amps.

[stingray427435]

I called the dealer that installed my remote and explained the problem. He said it sounded like the bypass module is bad. He said there is a yellow wire with a black stripe that goes to this module that would have to be disconnected and the wire spliced back together. This will make the remote inoperable but you should be able to start the truck. If the security light is flashing the truck will not start. The other possibility is that the PCM is not picking up the key chip and setting off the flashing security. Started raining here before I had a chance to go out and look at it. Hope you had better luck.

[ponchonutty]

stingray, it sounds like you may be having a BCM problem. I was just called out on a '98 S10 Blazer. It was at a private repair shop with security issues. They changed out the ignition switch and decoder. They successfully learned the new code and got it to start and run. They then had it sit outside overnight to bring it back in in the morning to do some brake work. Well, gues what, it wouldn't start and the light was on.

They called me to look at it. I measured the resistance and it was sending out the correct number to the BCM. One weird thing was that the security light would stay on even if the truck was off. Unhooking the battery would make it go off but as soon as you tried to start, it'd come back on and stay on. I found that if I unhooked the BCM or even rattled the harness, it'd start and run normally. Ended up being a bad solder joint inside the BCM.

[stingray427435]

Thanks ponchonutty. It acts like it is a bad connection. Just not sure why I get the red battery light to come on the dash and the security light flashing at the same time. I have charged the battery and switched the battery but that battery light stays on. I'll check out the BCM.

[BigBoyBall]

Well I got the truck back from the garage. They found no problem and the vehicle started each and every time they attempted to.
Drove it for 3 days, then went to start it and guess what. You got it no start.
I'm taking it to the place where they installed the car starter and going to ask them to remove it. It was just installed less than a year ago.
Then we'll see how it responds to that.
Tonight while driving home the truck lost some power at times and bucked a bit, not too bad but noticeable.

[ponchonutty]

Sure sounds like a bad ground. Did you check your battery and battery cables. They are know to rot from inside out.