88 s-10 blazer with 4.3 tbi won't turn over

[naturegirl]

This is an on going problem that I posted on here a few weeks ago that I still have not isolated the problem. My truck would start up fine with no problem then at other several times times it wouldn't crank at all as if it was the starter. I would have all my accessories but it wouldn't attempt to crank at all. I would get a jump and it would immediately start. Twice when there was noone around to give me a jump I had to leave the vehicle and when I returned it would start right up. The selinoid is making the clicking noise so that seems fine. Of course I started with the cheepest course of action first and had the battery checked but that checked out fine at the auto store. My battery cables were bad so I changed them. I also checked my alternator and that is fine as well. I have replaced my rotor, distributor cap, spark plugs, map sensor, fuel filter within the last 4 mos. before this problem started. Now in the last 2 days the problem has worsened and as I was coming home it cut out and I couldn't get it started then I got a jump and it started right up then about 17 miles later as I was slowing for a turn it cut out again and wouldn't start so I had to walk home and by the time I got back with someone to give me a jump it was about 40 mins and I tried before we jumped it and it started immediately without a jump. I started to think about the ignition switch or the ignition module so I called a mechanic I turn to when at a loss and he also suggested ignition module. So I called Auto Zone and spoke with someone that I know and have very good rapore with and trust to know what he's talking about and he agreed and said that he'd often seen where the ignition module gets too hot and shuts the vehicle off as if someone had turned the key off, which is like what it's doing, and that it can be an intermittent problem such as I'm having. So I got the part and it cut out again on the way home so I changed it there and now it won't turn over at all and sounds really bad as it's trying. I don't know how to explain it except to say it sounds like it's miss firing really bad at one point it backfired out the tbi. I checked all the connections on the ignition module and all the spark plug wires to make sure they were secure and anything else that could have gotten bumped. I didn't remove any of the spark plug wires when I removed the distributor cap to get to the module but just pulled the cap with them on so there's no chance that the spark plug wires got mixed up. Could the timing have gotten knocked out? ok now the other problem and please try not to be too harsh. A big problem also is that a screw broke in half and the broken half is still in the distributor therefore I can not tighten it down on the driver side. The truck has been "chugging" and lacks compression for few couple weeks. I have not had a chance to get it out because I can't get a grip on the bottom of the screw, although it's sticking out so I can turn it the rest of the way out, therefore I need to remove a few things that are in the way. Now comes the bad part...It rained just about non-stop since this problem began...I live out in the country in a very remote neighborhood and live alone. I have to haul water here. So every time it stopped raining I had to use the truck, although it's been running bad, to get water and go shopping because of being low on supplies due to being flooded in alot during this time, etc....I know better than to be driving my vehicle in this condition but had no choice. My concern is whether it could have ruined my distributor driving it like this. I did put a tie down on it to try to keep it from moving until I could get the screw out but I live on a dirt road with 6 miles of washboard and I couldn't get it tight enough to prevent all movement. I bought a new rotor intending to get to the distributor screw as soon as I got home .The rotor has burn marks on it although it was changed only 2 mos. ago so I changed that again just hoping to get her home but it still won't turn over. Why would it not turn over after replacing the ignition module when it would at least start with a jump or after sitting before? My other concern after reading some of the other posts is the fuel filter in the gas tank which I had thought about but decided it was probably electrical but I read what was written about letting your fuel run out and/or letting it get below 1/4 tank both of which I've done. Also due to the wet weather we've had this year water got in my fuel so I added the water remover (heet) and replaced the in-line fuel filter. If it were my fuel pump in the gas tank, could it be intermittent? I don't think so but I could be wrong. The coil is another option. I can understand the ignition module not fixing the problem but why did it get worse and decide to fail all the way right after replacing the module? I'm at a loss and need help desperately. I can't afford to turn to a mechanic and have to have this truck running very quickly! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you. a

[jackass#1]

i remember your last post. if it is dying while at a stop,
it wouldnt be starter related. i thought you were just having a starting problem. try this, before pulling tank out, look at the wire harness on top of the tank. make sure there is no exposed wiring or dryrot. also unplug it and clean connector and male end on top of tank. plug it back in making sure good comtact.
if that dont work check the ground wire, from tank to top of back bumper area. make sure of and do same thing you did or do to the wire harrnass.
i hope that helps alittle. if that dont help you might have to change pump.
good luck

[OverBoardProject]

I was probably on holidays during your last post

I can understand where your coming from. I live in a very isolated town (600 people, and shrinking) and there are some single women living in the country here that might just make you look rich. Plus my boss owns a horse ranch with no running water.

I really wish that I could help you out more with your problem, but I can tell you that your ignition switch is probably fried. It could easily explain your stalling problems, and the starter not always working.
But try jackass#1's tip first since it's free. Aren't you glad that he doesn't live up to his name.

And it's a really good idea for you to replace your fuel filter, since your fuel pump will have an easier time, and last longer.

Your distributer should be fixxed ASAP, but you did the right thing trying any temp repair to get you going. The easiest way to repair it is probably remove the cap, and make a drawing showing you excatly where the router points. Plus the way the distributer sits. Then remove it. You might have to borrow a special wrench for this. Then you'll have easy access to that darn screw. You might have to replace both the cap and router again.

That nice mechanic that AutoZone gave you the number for might be your biggest help, if you can pop in and let him look at your truck when your close buy.

Good Luck, and try keeping us posted on your progress

[naturegirl]

Well, I got her running and home. Someone had stopped to help me when I first broke down. I told him I was pretty sure I knew that the problem was my ignition module and that I had just bought it and was going to install it there and should be good to go. I got most of it apart and was going to the other side of the truck to get the last screw on the module when he offered to get it since he was on that side. I said ok and he did that and proceeded to install the new one. I figured why not since he was probably feeling pretty useless by then. When he was done I tried it and that was when it wouldn't turn over. So I asked if he was sure that the coil wires were in right and didn't get switched because that was the only thing that made sense. He said he was sure it was right. Kept thinking, boy this is weird. It was getting dark so I canned it till the next day. As soon as I got back to my truck another guy stopped to help and I told him I was going to check my distributor cap to make sure it was seated right and that I thought the guy that put in the module mixed the coil wires up. He had a book and all it said was install the same way it was removed. No help when you're not the one that did it. He thought it looked right but I still said the only way it could be worse after a repair is if the repair wasn't done right. Fortunately he found an old distributor with the module still on it in his truck and it turned out I was right. Switched the wires and she started right up. Sorry to bother you guys on this one. Classic case of too many chefs and too many cheifs. I learned a couple valuable lessons. Never allow anyone but myself or my mechanic (if absolutly necessary) to work on my truck and to trust my instincts. Everyone else didn't think it was the coil wires but I knew it was. I only took it for a 10 mile test drive since it was getting dark again but so far it sounds good. It didn't cut out or not start until it had been driven for a while. I'm going to town to get the distributor cap so that when I get that screw out I can replace that and see if that solves the chugging and lack of compression. It felt like it has more power already from replacing the module and rotor. I'll let you know how it goes and thank you very much to everyone.

[jackass#1]

hey no problem. glad to see you got it home.

[naturegirl]

took it to town today and it did great as far as power, and felt like the little rocket she used to be, even through the mountains where it was really lacking power and it didn't cut out when I slowed for the turn to the road I live on. This is where it died twice but this time there was no problem. So the ignition module was causing that. I still have problems with it either starting weak or not at all then it will start with no prob. but I'm sure that it's the starter going out. Especially since a jump would start it and the battery tests good. It's just had several things go out at once but each repair is making it better. Thanks again.