2002 Sierra problem
 

Everytime it rains, the engine won't start. It will crank and crank but no spark. Last week, it started cutting out on the road for me after it rained the night before. It will even chug a little when its been sitting and is real humid out. I have gone through 3 dist. caps and I know it needs a tune up, but this is damn ridiculous. Its a 4.3 with 100,000 so I was going to go the plugs, wires, cap and rotor anyways, but I want to FIX it, not band-aid. Any clue? I was told the dist. cap was cracked once and that condensate was building up but how the heck do I fix this for good. I'm commutting an hour and a half each day in my Old Mans 454 SS so I need help before I loose all my money on gas.

Re: 2002 Sierra problem
 

I thought the newer 4.3's had coil packs for the individual plugs and the dizzy with cap no longer existed?

Anyway, something is getting wet? Check to see if your hood seal is good and maybe the comp. on the fenderwell is getting wet somehow?

Tune-up is a good idea. Change the PCV too and fuel filter. Is it throwing any codes?

Re: 2002 Sierra problem
 

Nope, I have a distributor. I was reading that condensate will collect under the cap and cause this. What is a good fix for this.

Re: 2002 Sierra problem
 

Remove, wipe clean, inspect, reinstall with silicone!
Brandon

Re: 2002 Sierra problem
 

I agree.

Since you already plan to give it a full tuneup, do that as well.

Re: 2002 Sierra problem
 

Shorted coil. Ha! Fixed and runs great, well until now. Service engine soon light came on and my mechanic friend said if it's not blinking probably a sensor. If its blinking, we have trouble. Anyone know what causes this usually?

Re: 2002 Sierra problem
 

I was gonna mention the coil but you beat me to it. I helped my friend with a honda that had the same issue. Cracked coil. Drove us crazy for a few days.

Re: 2002 Sierra problem
 

there are lots of things that cause service engine light to come on. Auto parts stores usually check for free.