Truck dies out randomly

[busted truck]

I know problems like these can be tough to troubleshoot when you don't have access to the truck so I'm looking for some educated guesses.

About a month ago I started my truck, went inside to grab something and came back out. As I was walking up to it the motor died. "That's strange" I thought. I got in and it fired right up. Didn't think about it again until it died in traffic a couple of days later. It didn't sputter or miss, it just suddenly wasn't running. It was as if someone turned the key. Like before, it started right back up and off I went. A week later I was headed up to the bar. As I stopped for a stop sign, off it goes. This time it didn't want to start again for a while. It would almost turn over and then wouldn't. After several minutes of cranking I finally got it going again along with a nice puff of white smoke from the tail pipe. I can't figure this one out. It seems to only happen at low speeds, possibly only under braking. It will be fine for days and then suddenly die. The radio stays on so I don't think its a battery, alternator, or ground issue. The computer isn't storing any codes. It doesn't act like a bad fuel pump either. It has to be the ignition system, right? I've replaced the coil, cap, and rotor but it hasn't helped.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Something to test?

 

[4xcrazy]

mine did this at one time, ended up being a bad injector, guess it just quit firing for a few cycles and shut the motor down, sometimes it would do it going down the freeway, just shut the engine down, but before i could really react to the situation, it would fire back up.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

A fuel pump can behave like that. My 91 burb behaved like that before the fuel pump died

 

[cdoggwsu]

Couldn't hurt to check the fuel filter while you're at it. Cheap and easy place to start.

 

[Kenny78]

TBI right? If it only happens when off the throttle, it could be the Idle Air Control(IAC) Valve. On my '94 the Ignition Control Module(ICM) went out. It died suddenly a few times when warmed up and then keeled over for good. Thats all I have dealt withg so the other suggestions seem good also.

 

[Stomis]

I'd guess fuel pump.

I used to have a similar situation when idling. Something about this damn crap chip dumping too much fuel when cold. the MSD coil cleared that up by giving it a hot enough spark to burn off all the fuel but that dont sound like your case.

 

[busted truck]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've got some things to look at now. Fuel filter has been replaced. I'm hoping its not the pump as its the most expensive part mentioned and it can't be much fun dropping that big a$$ tank. Looks like I'll be under the hood tomorrow

 

[Stomis]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've got some things to look at now. Fuel filter has been replaced. I'm hoping its not the pump as its the most expensive part mentioned and it can't be much fun dropping that big a$$ tank. Looks like I'll be under the hood tomorrow

Find someone that will sell you just the pump rather than the entire sender and unit etc. About $300 cheaper.