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Truck won't start

Tubaman

Tubaman

1/2 ton status
 Premium
Joined
Feb 18, 2008
Posts
100
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4
Location
El Paso, Tx
Hey guys, I've got a problem that's got me stumped. Last night when I was going about 55, the truck just died on me. It never threw any codes and it didn't overheat, the engine just shut off. Today I replaced the distributor cap and rotor as well as the fuel filter just in case, but the truck still won't start. It cranks fine like it wants to start, but I can't get it to turn over. I verified that the plugs are sparking and that the fuel pump is pumping, so I'm stuck. The fuel doesn't seem to make it all the way up the the throttle body though, but I'm not sure what that means. The truck is a 1990 suburban with a 350 that has 20,000 miles on it at the most. Any ideas why it won't start? I am a very lousy searcher, so it's possible I missed the answer in my searches. Thanks guys!
 
The fuel pump may be pumping...but that doesn't mean it's putting out the presure/volume you need. Try cycling the key a few times without cranking it. Like 3 or 4, then try to crank it on the 5th. If it starts (or tries to) it's most likely the fuel pump.
 
Sounds like it's going to be my fuel pump then. Couldn't see any fuel pulsing out the injectors when it was cranking. I'll replace the pump tomorrow and see if that fixes it. Thanks for the quick replies!
 
Well, I replaced the fuel pump and it was definitely bad. Unfortunately the truck still won't start. When I go to crank it still won't start and if I push the pedal a little bit the throttle body pops and then catches fire. So is it my timing that's the problem?
 
Also, if it's any help, the engine was rebuilt a couple years back and doesn't even have 20,000 miles on it.
 
Could try disconnecting the electric advance. Should be a single wire on the driver's side of the firewall with a QD plug on it.
 
Ok, so I tore further into the engine to check the timing. With the marks on the cam sprocket and crank sprocket lined up, what cylinder should the rotor be pointing at? I seem to recall it should be one, or maybe six.
 
Put a little gas in the throtlebody and see if it fires up.
Did you check your fuses?
If it fires when you put gas in it, it could be the ignition module.
Means it is not firing the injectors.
Tarey
 
I tried that. It just backfired on me. I had the ignition module checked and it tested good. I'm pretty sure I need to adjust my distributor since it's pointing to where the number two plug would fire from when number one's at TDC.
 
Keep turning the distributor and try starting it. If the timing is off it will finally start.
Tarey
 
Thanks, that's what I'm going to try tomorrow when I get a chance. I love your suburban, by the way.
 
Control module. Make sure you add diolectric grease. Bad control module will stall you out while driving but after sitting the wires cool down enough to start and run for a bit. Once heated the wires expand and get no contact.
 
Well, I still haven't gotten the truck to start. What I've replaced so far: fuel pump, fuel filter, ignition control module, ignition coil, rotor, and distributor cap. The truck will start and run if I pour gas down the throttle body or shoot cleaner down it, but it won't start on its own. I know the injectors and fuel pressure regulator are good because I took them off my other suburban which ran great. So now I'm very confused about what the problem could be. None of the wiring looks cooked if that's any help. And as my excuse for not working on this suburban for a while, I bought another one to play with. :D
 
So you've checked that the injectors are actually getting power and are being commanded to fire?
 
4-play said:
Did the problem start right after you replaced the fuel press reg. and injectors?
Click to expand...


the problem started a while before that. I was driving along and the engine just died. Swapping the injectors around was just me checking to make sure they were good.
 
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