99 Jimmy died/won't restart

[goatmom]

I have owned this vehicle for a few years and haven't had any major issues with it. No lights have been coming on. Guages are all reading normal...good oil pressure, not overheating, etc. New battery within the past six months.

I have about 117,000 miles on it with the v6 engine in it. Two wheel drive.

Drove it to do some errands yesterday (about 25 miles round trip) and was two miles from home when I slowed down for a four-way stop, and it just died. It wouldn't restart so we drug it home and hubby has been attempting to figure out what is going on since. Fuel pump sounds like it is working...we hear it kicking on when you turn the key. The charging system appears to be fine as we have cranking noises and such, but it won't start...not even a hint of starting! Hubby thought it might be the coil, but there is no spark to the coil so now thinks it is something further in.

Are there any inline fuses that he can check? He has checked all of the fuses in the main box, and they all appear to be good.

He had one of the parts tested at the auto parts store and replaced the cheaper one they said could not be checked.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Markb873]

Check the crankshaft sensor.

[b1lk1]

EDIT: Just reread and noticed the no-spark. I would recheck electrical connections and if you annot find anything like that I would have it professionally scanned by someone with a proper OBD II scanner. Avoid the cheapo code readers and the likes of Autozone because they will not be able to help.

Also, you might want to put a fuel pressure gauge on it to see where the pressure is. Anything under 55PSI with the key on and the engine off can cause a no start issue. THese engines prefer 60PSI+ all the time. Pump may be working but working poorly. May also want to check the fuel filter as well.

As for sensors, DO NOT JUST START CHANGING SENSORS unless you know they are bad. Sensors generally do not degrade over time, they tend to quit and before they do they almost always set the check engine light.

I'd put money on it being a fuel pressure problem and if it is make certain you avoid Airtex pumps. They almost always fail within a year. AD Delco/Delphi pumps are the only way to go.

[goatmom]

We have a scanner but no codes come up when checking it...the Service Engine light never came on so we didn't expect anything on the scanner. We did change one of the ignition components, but don't think the one we took out was bad as changing it didn't have any positive effects. This morning, we found an ecm1 fuse that was blown. Replaced it and it blew again. Replaced it again and seems to be working at the moment. I picked up a pack of fuses to keep in the glove box and hubby trained me in using an electrical tester (also in the glove box) so I can fix it if I die on the road again. If it keeps happening, we will have to figure out why the fuses are blowing. He is thinking a sensor as well so I'll pass on the tip about the crankshaft sensor possibly being the culprit. I guess I am going to have to start being a better mechanic again. I've relied on him for the past several years since we've gotten newer vehicles. I used to be able to adjust carbs, etc., but now everything is computerized so we are having to learn new tricks!

[b1lk1]

Sensors going bad do not normally cause fuses for hte ECM to blow. I personally would get this tracked down ASAP before the ECM fries. Looked for pinched wires or maybe something resting on the exhaust as well.

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by goatmom

This morning, we found an ecm1 fuse that was blown. Replaced it and it blew again.

With the motor off?

Follow the circuit to the device it feeds (ECM1?). You will probably find chafed/exposed wires.

[goatmom]

Hubby found the blown fuse using a tester. He then replaced it and started the vehicle, fuse blew again. Replaced it again and it has been restarted several times without blowing it again.

I have spares in the glove box and a tester in case I need to diagnose and/or repair along the road somewhere. If it happens again, he figures he will need to do more searching to see what is causing it rather than just a bad fuse.

I appreciate the tips on where to start the search if necessary!