Please Help! My truck won't start sometimes! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TIMSPEED · 05-22-2003, 12:37 PM

I went out last night, and the truck would NOT start (did this same thing the other day) So, unfortunately I had to leave it parked outside all night. But here's the kicker, when I went out to start it in the morning, it fired right up. Any ideas why it's doing this? I'm DEFINATELY getting fuel, but I'm not getting any spark. (It was dark outside, so I had the oppurtunity to see if there was spark in the spark plug boot. Every piece of my motor/ignition is brand new. Should I just buy a new Cap/Rotor/Coil & Module? (I was going to do it anyway)
It's just strange how it doesn't start, then after a few hours, it does. BTW: The truck had been sitting for about 5 hours when I couldn't start it last night.
HOPEFULLY the truck will start when I go to go out to lunch and home from work today! KNOCK ON WOOD!!

**swervin ervin** · 05-22-2003, 01:43 PM

Sounds like it's the coil to me. I've seen this happen before. Replace the whole nine yards, coil, module, cap and rotor, especially since you probably need to anyway.

If this don't fix it, I don't know what it is.

TIMSPEED · 05-22-2003, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Sounds like it's the coil to me. I've seen this happen before. Replace the whole nine yards, coil, module, cap and rotor, especially since you probably need to anyway.

I've already done that actually..but when I did it, I got mad at it, cuz it wouldn't seat properly, and I smashed it on there hard, and pretty much destroyed that little pin that goes under the coil to throw the spark from the coil to the rotor.

But at any rate, I'll get an MSD setup, just for good measure.

LOHRTBT · 05-22-2003, 02:35 PM

So you knew you janked it up and still wonder why??? heheheehehe good One Tim!! haha

Tom · 05-22-2003, 03:09 PM

That IS the ignition, plain and simple. My 78 did that too me all the time with only 30,000miles on the accel HEI. Threw a MSD super HEI kit on and havent had a lick of trouble since.

PHOENIX · 05-22-2003, 04:07 PM

I had the exact same problem. Wouldnt work at random.
I posted about this in the Chevchic thread about her truck update.

TIMSPEED · 05-22-2003, 04:12 PM

Eddie,
Would this kit work ~> Proform HEI Kit
Except, I'd only be using the Cap/Rotor/Coil/Module/Wiring Harness out of that. I was gonna go MSD, but I need the wiring harness aswell (the one on my distributor I bought at a local shop basically fell apart)

TIMSPEED · 05-22-2003, 04:20 PM

Or this one, if I can swing the $$
~> MSD HEI Kit

**old Rusty C10** · 05-22-2003, 05:24 PM

bad coil and get one thats DELCO dont get aftermarkets they stink

*1FaastC10* · 05-22-2003, 05:44 PM

heh, smashed the rotor button into the cap... that's a true TIM if ya know what im talking about.

*rage'nrat638* · 05-22-2003, 05:56 PM

only buy the msd......please

PHOENIX · 05-22-2003, 06:00 PM

There are more parts (then included in those kits) that can go wrong and cause weird problems. I replaced all kinds of parts and it still worked at random. That why I suggest you replace the entire distributor. If you can not afford the MSD, then go with the Proform for $160, its a good distributor, but the MSD is better.

Tom · 05-22-2003, 07:16 PM

I personally wouldnt use proform anything. No chinese made crap going in my truck if I can help it. Then again, I think Id rather have proform then accel

TIMSPEED · 05-22-2003, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PHOENIX
That why I suggest you replace the entire distributor.

The distributor is entirely brand new. That's why I'm scratching my head...

MSL · 05-22-2003, 09:06 PM

Its that crappy spark control box. i have seen them start to go out and that happens unless you dont have one.

TIMSPEED · 05-23-2003, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MSL
unless you dont have one.

Nope, don't. Just got a stock replacement distributor/HEI setup. Nothing "performance" on the ignition portion yet...

**68 Stepside** · 05-23-2003, 10:50 AM

I had the same problem with the HEI in my 68. I had just put in the 406, got it to fire, then suddenly I wasn't getting spark. Got power to everything, but 0 spark. I put a new module in it....nothing...new cap/rotor/coil....nothing....it was the pickup that was causing the problem, and it wasn't bad, just really cruddy from sitting around for a few years. Might be something to think about...

TJ

79BIG10 · 05-23-2003, 01:13 PM

I would recheck the stuff you installed then replace the wire from the starter to the distributor. This has a fuseable link on it that may be a cause as well.

TIMSPEED · 05-23-2003, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 79BIG10
I would recheck the stuff you installed then replace the wire from the starter to the distributor. This has a fuseable link on it that may be a cause as well.

That's the wire that goes to the 12v+ on the distributor cap right? That's got 12v+ when it won't start.

79BIG10 · 05-23-2003, 01:46 PM

Yes. Okay another idea is did you use die-electric grease when you installed the HEI? If not then it's getting too hot then shorting out.

85 GMC · 05-23-2003, 01:58 PM

listen to this, went to start my truck yesterday , wont start. come back 2 hrs later , fires up. start it the following day , wont start , replaced ,coil , still wont start , tapped on the top of the hei dustcover fires and dies. come back 15 minutes later fires up and runs , drive it around no probs. fire it up to pull it in my drive . wont start. today im replaceing all the electric partsin the hei. tore it completely down and starting over. let you now what i find out.

TIMSPEED · 05-23-2003, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 79BIG10
Yes. Okay another idea is did you use die-electric grease when you installed the HEI? If not then it's getting too hot then shorting out.

Dunno, it was all put together when I bought the distributor. I would think it's when it gets hot it shorts out. But the truck had been sitting for a few hours, and the module COULDN'T be hot...

79BIG10 · 05-23-2003, 02:37 PM

When it didn't start had it been raining or really high humidity? I'm wondering if you have a crack somewhere in the distributor which is causing the problem.

TIMSPEED · 05-23-2003, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 79BIG10
When it didn't start had it been raining or really high humidity? I'm wondering if you have a crack somewhere in the distributor which is causing the problem.

Nope, no rain and no high humidity.

85 GMC · 05-23-2003, 05:50 PM

i changed out the ignition modual , the pickup coil , and the balist resistor i beleive its called,(the wires that run out of the bottom of the hei housing below the cap),checked for spark and had it. fired right up.
so which one it was i donno but it works. I had a proform kit that i installed last year , one of those parts went bad.

05-22-2003, 12:37 PM	#1
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Please Help! My truck won't start sometimes! I went out last night, and the truck would NOT start (did this same thing the other day) So, unfortunately I had to leave it parked outside all night. But here's the kicker, when I went out to start it in the morning, it fired right up. Any ideas why it's doing this? I'm DEFINATELY getting fuel, but I'm not getting any spark. (It was dark outside, so I had the oppurtunity to see if there was spark in the spark plug boot. Every piece of my motor/ignition is brand new. Should I just buy a new Cap/Rotor/Coil & Module? (I was going to do it anyway) It's just strange how it doesn't start, then after a few hours, it does. BTW: The truck had been sitting for about 5 hours when I couldn't start it last night. HOPEFULLY the truck will start when I go to go out to lunch and home from work today! KNOCK ON WOOD!! __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

05-22-2003, 01:43 PM	#2
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Sounds like it's the coil to me. I've seen this happen before. Replace the whole nine yards, coil, module, cap and rotor, especially since you probably need to anyway. If this don't fix it, I don't know what it is. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

05-22-2003, 02:35 PM	#4
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	So you knew you janked it up and still wonder why??? heheheehehe good One Tim!! haha __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

05-22-2003, 03:09 PM	#5
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	That IS the ignition, plain and simple. My 78 did that too me all the time with only 30,000miles on the accel HEI. Threw a MSD super HEI kit on and havent had a lick of trouble since. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

05-22-2003, 04:07 PM	#6
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	I had the exact same problem. Wouldnt work at random. I posted about this in the Chevchic thread about her truck update. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

05-22-2003, 04:12 PM	#7
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Eddie, Would this kit work ~> Proform HEI Kit Except, I'd only be using the Cap/Rotor/Coil/Module/Wiring Harness out of that. I was gonna go MSD, but I need the wiring harness aswell (the one on my distributor I bought at a local shop basically fell apart) __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

05-22-2003, 04:20 PM	#8
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Or this one, if I can swing the $$ ~> MSD HEI Kit __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

05-22-2003, 05:24 PM	#9
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	bad coil and get one thats DELCO dont get aftermarkets they stink __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

05-22-2003, 05:44 PM	#10
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	heh, smashed the rotor button into the cap... that's a true TIM if ya know what im talking about.

05-22-2003, 05:56 PM	#11
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	only buy the msd......please

05-22-2003, 06:00 PM	#12
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	There are more parts (then included in those kits) that can go wrong and cause weird problems. I replaced all kinds of parts and it still worked at random. That why I suggest you replace the entire distributor. If you can not afford the MSD, then go with the Proform for $160, its a good distributor, but the MSD is better. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

05-22-2003, 07:16 PM	#13
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	I personally wouldnt use proform anything. No chinese made crap going in my truck if I can help it. Then again, I think Id rather have proform then accel __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

05-22-2003, 09:06 PM	#15
MSL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Oregon Posts: 765	Its that crappy spark control box. i have seen them start to go out and that happens unless you dont have one.

05-23-2003, 10:50 AM	#17
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	I had the same problem with the HEI in my 68. I had just put in the 406, got it to fire, then suddenly I wasn't getting spark. Got power to everything, but 0 spark. I put a new module in it....nothing...new cap/rotor/coil....nothing....it was the pickup that was causing the problem, and it wasn't bad, just really cruddy from sitting around for a few years. Might be something to think about... TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

05-23-2003, 01:13 PM	#18
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	I would recheck the stuff you installed then replace the wire from the starter to the distributor. This has a fuseable link on it that may be a cause as well. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson



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05-23-2003, 01:46 PM	#20
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Yes. Okay another idea is did you use die-electric grease when you installed the HEI? If not then it's getting too hot then shorting out. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

05-23-2003, 01:58 PM	#21
85 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 121	listen to this, went to start my truck yesterday , wont start. come back 2 hrs later , fires up. start it the following day , wont start , replaced ,coil , still wont start , tapped on the top of the hei dustcover fires and dies. come back 15 minutes later fires up and runs , drive it around no probs. fire it up to pull it in my drive . wont start. today im replaceing all the electric partsin the hei. tore it completely down and starting over. let you now what i find out.

05-23-2003, 02:37 PM	#23
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	When it didn't start had it been raining or really high humidity? I'm wondering if you have a crack somewhere in the distributor which is causing the problem. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

05-23-2003, 05:50 PM	#25
85 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 121	i changed out the ignition modual , the pickup coil , and the balist resistor i beleive its called,(the wires that run out of the bottom of the hei housing below the cap),checked for spark and had it. fired right up. so which one it was i donno but it works. I had a proform kit that i installed last year , one of those parts went bad.

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