97 Blazer randomly Dies

[RUFLYF]

Hi, I have a 97 4X4 blazer. Lately it has started dying at random times. It seems to be electrical because when it does it, all the dash lights will flash and the door ajar sound beeps. It always restarts immediately and sometimes the car wont die just stumbles.(this seems to be speed related, the slower i am going the more likely chance the car dies). It doesnt seem to do it at high speeds (interstate speeds) and doesnt seem to be vehicle temperature related). Btw, when it dies its very sudden, no caughing, sputtering, nothing..simply cuts off, and the dash lights up.

Also, not to throw someone in the wrong direction, I dont know if they are related, but....I have also noticed when the ignition key is turned to the "on" position, sometimes the voltage meter wont move. If i continue to try and start the car, it wont ever start. However, usually a sec or two after the voltage meter doesnt move, it will finally move to the correct postion showing 12ish volts and the vehicle will always start right up.

Any help in narrowing this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thx
Keith

[GMMerlin]

First check all of your battery connections..including the wire that feeds the underhood fuse center.
Also when the truck wont start, is this a "I turn the key and nothing happens" or a "the engine spins and wont start" complaint.

[RUFLYF]

Thx for the tip, I'll check that out today. As for the engine not starting, it turns over but wont start until the voltage meter moves and reads voltage..which usually happens automatically after a few seconds with the ignition in the "on" position. By the way, this is the in-dash voltage meter I am refering to.

Thx
Keith

[GMMerlin]

Look closely at your dash lights (SES and other indicator lights) when the truck won't start...if they are missing, you may have a bad ignition switch

[RUFLYF]

When you turn the key to the "on" position, you are correct there are no lights on the dash at all. If it were the ignition switch, wouldnt shaking the key in the ignition cause it to flicker on and off? Not exactly sure how a ignition switch works, I would think that it would be a simple matter of two leads not contacting correctly, and if that were the case I dont understand the "delay" I am experiencing. Once I turn it to the "on" position, I can let go of the key completely and after 1-2 seconds the lights and guages will kick on and read correctly, then I can start the car. Not to doubt you, just wanted you to have all the information I can think of that would be relavent, if you still think it sounds like the ignition switch, let me know..again thanks for all your help.

[GMMerlin]

Sometimes a bad connection will take a few seconds to flow current.....If I have a customer with an intermittant no start condition like you are describing, I watch the dash lights closely to see if any are missing during the bulb check when the key is in the "on" position..this is usually a good indicator of a faulty switch.
At this point in time, I would definately suspect the ignition switch as the cause of your problems.

[RUFLYF]

just wanted to say thx for the help, that seems to have fixed the prob completely, hasnt even died here lately

[kdub420]

How much should something like that cost to repair in the SF Bay Area? I'm experiencing the same thing

[RUFLYF]

The ignition switch cost me $35 at Advance auto, there seems to be alot of price difference because Auto Zone quoted $95. So shop around....and make sure u are pricing the electronic part, not the metal keyway. Swapping it out was easy enough, just took a lil time figuring out how the diff panels remove from ssteering wheel etc. The only problem I had was the ignition switch is held on with some specialty screws, they look like a reversed hex screw, however I was able to remove the with a very small socket on one and needlenose pliers on the other, they are torqued very little. Also you will have to remove a thin metal shim around the key housing that holds on the "wing" moulding"...this will allow the removal of the moulding on top of the steering wheel. Good luck and let me know if I can answer any other questions.

[RUFLYF]

Maybe the pricing at those two stores is backwards, my wife went and picked it up, so I cant remember for sure which place she got it from.

[melmaan2000]

I also have 1997 Chev Blazer 4.3l 4x4 and is also experiencing the same problem. It just dies randomly but will start rather quickly. I have replaced the ignition coil and it is still the same. It also stalls while it is running even on high speed. Seems like an electrical problem. It does not cough. Sometimes it will do hard start but will start on the second try. I really need help on this.