83 GMC ignition - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Johnny05 · 11-05-2006, 02:07 AM

I figured I'd post this here to get some ideas... A friend of mine is giving me an '83 GMC short bed with a 305 and it only has 53,000 original miles! At the moment the truck isn't running but it was ok about a month ago

The problem is that it has no spark at the plugs. I've gone through the distributer completely so it's all new inside and out as well as new wires.. I checked the input side and there is power going into the distributer so my question is why nothing out?? I found out tonight that it has a Electronic Spark Control module under the dash behind the glove box. Could this be the culprit?? I hate to keep throwing $$ at it and not getting any results and the ESC module is pricey but available. Any help I can get from you guys would be GREAT! Surely I'm not the only one to ever have this happen..

hiway · 11-05-2006, 08:15 AM

Get a module from an earlier HEI (pre 81) and do away with the ESC stuff. Should cost ya less that $20 to convert.

Johnny05 · 11-05-2006, 10:47 AM

Is the pre '81 module plug and play? What else would I need to do? The module that's in it now is a 5 blade style the earlier is a 4 blade. Will this changeover take care of the problem that I'm currently seeing? For as long as I've been working on automotive projects this has to be one of the most puzzling to me.... Maybe I'm just getting old..

ProStreet83C10 · 11-05-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiway

Get a module from an earlier HEI (pre 81) and do away with the ESC stuff. Should cost ya less that $20 to convert.

ya beat me to it!

us111 · 11-05-2006, 12:01 PM

more than likely thats your problem..no spark that's usually the reason on those..

Johnny05 · 11-05-2006, 12:11 PM

Thanks to everyone for the reply's! After doing a few different searches here I may be able to "check" it. Appparently I can use a jumper in the existing setup and bypass the ESC. I'll try that as soon as I can get back out to where the truck is. If there's aomething else I need to try please let me know.

11-05-2006, 02:07 AM	#1
Johnny05 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 73	83 GMC ignition I figured I'd post this here to get some ideas... A friend of mine is giving me an '83 GMC short bed with a 305 and it only has 53,000 original miles! At the moment the truck isn't running but it was ok about a month ago The problem is that it has no spark at the plugs. I've gone through the distributer completely so it's all new inside and out as well as new wires.. I checked the input side and there is power going into the distributer so my question is why nothing out?? I found out tonight that it has a Electronic Spark Control module under the dash behind the glove box. Could this be the culprit?? I hate to keep throwing $$ at it and not getting any results and the ESC module is pricey but available. Any help I can get from you guys would be GREAT! Surely I'm not the only one to ever have this happen..

11-05-2006, 08:15 AM	#2
hiway Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Enola Arkansas Posts: 380	Re: 83 GMC ignition Get a module from an earlier HEI (pre 81) and do away with the ESC stuff. Should cost ya less that $20 to convert. __________________ Everythang relates to Beer! 86 1/2ton on tons! sbc/465/208/D60/14/35's 81 Postal....with 468 bbc 97 Merc Marq comuter 07 Suburban 02 Danger Ranger

11-05-2006, 10:47 AM	#3
Johnny05 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 73	Re: 83 GMC ignition Is the pre '81 module plug and play? What else would I need to do? The module that's in it now is a 5 blade style the earlier is a 4 blade. Will this changeover take care of the problem that I'm currently seeing? For as long as I've been working on automotive projects this has to be one of the most puzzling to me.... Maybe I'm just getting old.. Last edited by Johnny05; 11-05-2006 at 10:49 AM.

11-05-2006, 12:01 PM	#5
us111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ashland oh Posts: 660	Re: 83 GMC ignition more than likely thats your problem..no spark that's usually the reason on those..

11-05-2006, 12:11 PM	#6
Johnny05 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 73	Re: 83 GMC ignition Thanks to everyone for the reply's! After doing a few different searches here I may be able to "check" it. Appparently I can use a jumper in the existing setup and bypass the ESC. I'll try that as soon as I can get back out to where the truck is. If there's aomething else I need to try please let me know.

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