1998 5.7L starting problems

mega8man · #1 12-10-2009, 01:12 AM

I am having problems getting my 98 p/u started. here are the steps i have done so far.

- checked fuel pressure at the schradar valve came out to about 62 while cranking which i have read is normal.

- replaced the battery just because it is winter here in wisconsin and i needed a new one anyways.

-checked for spark on all the driver side plugs i could only check these because i recently had shoulder surgery and can only use my right arm therfore couldnt reach the passenger side idk if this is a problem but all the driver side plugs sparked.

- checked as many grounds as i could reach

-visually inspected the distributor cap for cracks but i havent removed it just a visual inspection.

Im at kind of a loss right now because i dont know which direction to go in from here. But i trust all of you guys on this forum I have always received great advice here. The truck cranks but it will not fire i just want some direction to go in before i call my buddy to help me with the grunt work since im a little disabled.

tblake · #2 12-10-2009, 10:25 AM

Does the fuel pressure remain at 62psi, or does it immediatly bleed off?

mega8man · #3 12-10-2009, 01:41 PM

Well it doesnt bleed out fast while im cranking it but when i stop the pressure goes down to about 50-55 then drops steady after that.

777stickman · #4 12-10-2009, 08:56 PM

Did this all of a sudden crop up like it ran yesterday and not today?

Is there an aftermarket security system installed?

I would try spraying starting fluid into the throttle body while cranking. If it fires and then quits maybe you have eliminated an ignition problem.

zesan · #5 12-10-2009, 09:25 PM

Check to see if there is a security light blinking on your dash. It could be a passlock problem that nearly drove me insane. I have also recently had problems starting problems and have traced mine to the distributor cap. If you replace your cap and wires go back with ac delco.

mega8man · #6 12-10-2009, 10:31 PM

well the security light doesnt blink it comes on for like 5-10 seconds and i did try some starting fluid a few times and that was a no go as well. thanks though. any other ideas

mega8man · #7 12-10-2009, 10:33 PM

oh also ther isnt an aftermarket security system installed so it wouldnt be that.

mega8man · #8 12-10-2009, 10:35 PM

oh geeze i feel dumb ok yes it did just start all of a sudden it stopped on thursday i drove it and it didnt start on tuesday. it wasnt too cold out or anything maybe about 35 or so but has been like that around here for awhile.

j cAT · #9 12-10-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mega8man

oh geeze i feel dumb ok yes it did just start all of a sudden it stopped on thursday i drove it and it didnt start on tuesday. it wasnt too cold out or anything maybe about 35 or so but has been like that around here for awhile.

since you have the fuel pressure , this could be the crank sensor..see if you get a good spark..blue...if not this will cause your problem especially if there are no dtc codes..

another componet would be the issue is the ect,, this temp sensor may show that the engine is hot when in fact its at 10deg f...no start obviously..

mega8man · #10 12-10-2009, 10:56 PM

Thank you i will try that stuff tomorrow if i dont freeze first it was only 7 degrees here today and tomorrow is only gonna be 15 brrr. i just hope the wind chill isnt too bad i guess well one more question i went and bought a plug and wire tester that attatches between the plug and the wire. are those any good for testing? and also when you say blue i assume you mean a blue spark right?

j cAT · #11 12-10-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mega8man

Thank you i will try that stuff tomorrow if i dont freeze first it was only 7 degrees here today and tomorrow is only gonna be 15 brrr. i just hope the wind chill isnt too bad i guess well one more question i went and bought a plug and wire tester that attatches between the plug and the wire. are those any good for testing? and also when you say blue i assume you mean a blue spark right?

correct blue ,,,not yellow

serge_saati · #12 12-10-2009, 11:48 PM

Check also MAF sensor and EGR system. A stucked open EGR valve can also cause this problem.

tblake · #13 12-11-2009, 10:17 AM

I'm leaning towards a fuel delivery issue myself. Sounds like the pump is good because it will pump up to 62, but pressure should remain steady and only drop a few psi after a couple hours.

A common failure on these motors is the fuel pressure regulator. Have you had longer than normal starting times recently up untill this point?

serge_saati · #14 12-11-2009, 11:05 AM

When you try to start your engine, does your engine shakes a little bit? When you press the accelerator engines makes more noise?
Or it cranks w/o making any exhaust noise? It should crank at least at 450rpm to start. For a diesel 250rpm.

mega8man · #15 12-11-2009, 05:10 PM

well it shakes a little but no i dont get any exhaust noise or anything even when i hold the gas pedal down i get nothing i am going out right now to check the plugs and im going to do one more pressure test. ill post what i find when i am complete that you for all your help. also where is the pressure regulator on this engine my haynes book has too many engine types and the pictures are kind of crappy.

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