'97 Blazer - electrical issues?

[ibehren1]

Odd issues...

Vehicle sat for two days without running. When I went to start it, it cranked fine and fired briefly then died. The time on the radio reset and I had to crank several more times before it stayed running. I kinda dismissed.

Now, a day later, the vehicle started fine. I drove to the gas station to fill up. Started fine again. But then while driving I saw the tach was fluttering sporatically. Then I made a stop for breakfast and when I tried to restart it cranked fine but died immediately. Same thing probably twice then stayed started because I gave it some gas... No problem cranking but seems like no fire after it catches the first time.

No SES light.
Volts read norm (about 14).
Cranks fine.
Clock time has reset twice.
Fluttering tach (never happened before).

I plan to use my multimeter to check battery and alternater tonight...

Any ideas what else I should check?
Has anyone else seen this sort of thing?
Does the ignition require an extreme amount of voltage (more than cranking)?

Thanks!

[knowltg]

my guess is the ignition switch, the 97 blazer has issues with that. although i havent had that problem yet on my 97 blazer.

[LJP_GURU]

On Friday I was replacing a torsion bar link I had twisted off earlier taking the catalytic converter off. I went to start my Blazer 99 4 x4 and everything was flashing and clicking then my hatch popped open. It did this several times evertime I turned the key and tried to start up and I won’t repeat what I screamed out loud as it seems everything is wearing out now. Any way I thought for sure I had a short in the column somewhere. It ended up being my battery. It was the original and it wasn’t holding very much of a charge any more. I have a new one now and there is no flashing lights or opening hatches when I turn the key.

[BlazerLT]

ignition switch for sure.

Installation instructions are in the FAQ section.

[ibehren1]

Thanks for the info... can you tell me why the ignition?

I am looking at the battery b/c I found out last evening that it drops down to 10v during cranking.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by ibehren1

Thanks for the info... can you tell me why the ignition?

I am looking at the battery b/c I found out last evening that it drops down to 10v during cranking.

That won't cause the engine to fail.

Trust us on this, you have a 1997 which will have a bad ignition switch module that will cause all sorts of random gremlins to come out.

Replace it, we know what we are talking about.