Help Truck Won't Start! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1969C/10 · 08-04-2006, 10:47 AM

My truck will not start. It seems to be getting gas but no spark. I'm no mechanic so I was wondering what my problem could be? I really need to get my truck running. Thanks in advance!

bryanw1968 · 08-04-2006, 10:58 AM

What kind of ignition setup do you have?
If you have an HEI style distributor and it just suddenly stopped working I would guess it is the module that is bad. Again, just a place to start. Verify that you have spark first though before tearing into the distributor.

67ChevyRedneck · 08-04-2006, 11:06 AM

Pull the spark plugs and see what they look like.

Need more info. Was this a daily driver or has it been sitting for 10 years?
Have you made any changes under the hood recently?

1969C/10 · 08-04-2006, 11:25 AM

This is a daily driver. Only change recently was an oil change

bryanw1968 · 08-04-2006, 11:33 AM

Yah, check the plugs also. Good call.
If they look good, see if you are getting spark buy arching it. If you're not,
pull the distributor cap off and see what the in inside of the cap and the rotor looks like. If that looks good, I replace the ignition module. I've had those go out several times. One minute you're running, the next minute you're not.
Even if you go buy one and it's not the problem, it's not a bad idea have an extra one in the glove compartment.

toast2112 · 08-04-2006, 02:37 PM

hello since no one seemed to have cover it i will put in my 2 cents. if you are still running pionts and not hei, the pionts most likley need to be cleened or replaced. to cleen them remove the distributer cap and the rotor under the cap. make sure the key is off when doing this! whit a small screw driver lightly seperate the concactssothat you can slip a peice of emery cloth or fine sand paper inbetween the contacts. send both of the contacts to clean them. while you have them out, clean the rotor and the inside of the cap. put the rotor back on making sure that the notch is lined up on the distributer, than replace the cap. try to start it if it works great. i hope this helps

mtndewmaniac66 · 08-04-2006, 02:52 PM

You didn't bump any wires by any chance when refilling your oil? I know that the ignition wire is away from the oil fill cap, but you never know when you set an oil bottle on the engine.

1969C/10 · 08-04-2006, 03:22 PM

It is a pointless distibutor and it was running fine after the oil change for a few days. Thanks for all the help I will check some of the other suggestions out tonight.

Longhorn Man · 08-04-2006, 05:01 PM

Hey man, you want me to swing by this evening?
Pm headin out

Longhorn Man · 08-05-2006, 12:03 AM

bryanw1968, you got it! It was his module.
I headed out there and was wondering what I'd find, and we got lucky, i just happened to have a small box of HEI parts in my tool box. with the module he needed.
That just means I have too much crap in my tool box.

Put it back together and it fired right up.

1969C/10 · 08-05-2006, 09:58 AM

Andy, Thanks again! You saved me big time on this one!

rico_vancouver · 08-05-2006, 10:41 AM

Excellent timing for this post. I'm going out this morning to have a first look at what I'm up against with my 68'. Sorry for the newbie question, but where is the ignition module located, and is it readily purchased at any major auto supplier?

I only have diagnostic info from my brother, who isn't the greatest mechanically. Apparently, it has good fuel, battery, starter etc., but simply won't crank.

Thanks,

Rich

**VetteVet** · 08-05-2006, 05:29 PM

Here is a website that'll make you an expert on HEI distributors.

http://www.rustpuppy.org/ignition2/Ignition%202b.htm

iluvmy72 · 08-05-2006, 08:31 PM

check your negative battery connection....if it's just a little loose, you'll never get it started!!!

bryanw1968 · 08-07-2006, 06:46 PM

Thanks longhorn man!!
I had a feeling that was what it was.
Thanks for the props!

Longhorn Man · 08-07-2006, 08:32 PM

Honestly, I always roll my eyes when some one says how "modules always go out"... or "I have to carry a spare module" or what ever.
Now, I've only been running old school engines for 10 years or so, but i have NEVER had one go bad.
Which makes it that much more amazing that I had one in my truck tool box.

Like I said, it just means I carry too much junk.

bryanw1968 · 08-08-2006, 10:16 AM

I hear ya. It's only happened to me twice and I've been messing with trucks for 20 years. If you install a new modual and don't put the white grease on the side that mounts to the inside of the distributor it will get very hot and not last near as long. Which is what happened the 2nd time when it laid down on me. The first time it just barfed from old age.

And b.t.w., you can never have too much junk!

However my wife seems to think I do.

Longhorn Man · 08-08-2006, 10:31 AM

Yeah, that kinda sucked, I had a used GM mod in the box, but no grease. However, the folowing day he PM'd me sayin he came across some dieelectric grease, asking if that would do it.
I told him how important it was to get it in there, I hope he didn't have any problems getting to it.

08-04-2006, 10:47 AM	#1
1969C/10 Unskilled Labor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH-IO Posts: 788	Help Truck Won't Start! My truck will not start. It seems to be getting gas but no spark. I'm no mechanic so I was wondering what my problem could be? I really need to get my truck running. Thanks in advance! __________________ 1986 K/20, 350/TH400, My First 4x4.......

08-04-2006, 10:58 AM	#2
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! What kind of ignition setup do you have? If you have an HEI style distributor and it just suddenly stopped working I would guess it is the module that is bad. Again, just a place to start. Verify that you have spark first though before tearing into the distributor.

08-04-2006, 11:06 AM	#3
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Pull the spark plugs and see what they look like. Need more info. Was this a daily driver or has it been sitting for 10 years? Have you made any changes under the hood recently? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 08-04-2006 at 11:12 AM.

08-04-2006, 11:25 AM	#4
1969C/10 Unskilled Labor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH-IO Posts: 788	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! This is a daily driver. Only change recently was an oil change __________________ 1986 K/20, 350/TH400, My First 4x4.......

08-04-2006, 11:33 AM	#5
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Yah, check the plugs also. Good call. If they look good, see if you are getting spark buy arching it. If you're not, pull the distributor cap off and see what the in inside of the cap and the rotor looks like. If that looks good, I replace the ignition module. I've had those go out several times. One minute you're running, the next minute you're not. Even if you go buy one and it's not the problem, it's not a bad idea have an extra one in the glove compartment.

08-04-2006, 02:37 PM	#6
toast2112 active member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: egg harbor township, new jersey Posts: 37	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! hello since no one seemed to have cover it i will put in my 2 cents. if you are still running pionts and not hei, the pionts most likley need to be cleened or replaced. to cleen them remove the distributer cap and the rotor under the cap. make sure the key is off when doing this! whit a small screw driver lightly seperate the concactssothat you can slip a peice of emery cloth or fine sand paper inbetween the contacts. send both of the contacts to clean them. while you have them out, clean the rotor and the inside of the cap. put the rotor back on making sure that the notch is lined up on the distributer, than replace the cap. try to start it if it works great. i hope this helps

08-04-2006, 02:52 PM	#7
mtndewmaniac66 Do the Dew! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vernal, Utah Posts: 191	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! You didn't bump any wires by any chance when refilling your oil? I know that the ignition wire is away from the oil fill cap, but you never know when you set an oil bottle on the engine.

08-04-2006, 03:22 PM	#8
1969C/10 Unskilled Labor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH-IO Posts: 788	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! It is a pointless distibutor and it was running fine after the oil change for a few days. Thanks for all the help I will check some of the other suggestions out tonight. __________________ 1986 K/20, 350/TH400, My First 4x4.......

08-04-2006, 05:01 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Hey man, you want me to swing by this evening? Pm headin out

08-05-2006, 12:03 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! bryanw1968, you got it! It was his module. I headed out there and was wondering what I'd find, and we got lucky, i just happened to have a small box of HEI parts in my tool box. with the module he needed. That just means I have too much crap in my tool box. Put it back together and it fired right up.

08-05-2006, 09:58 AM	#11
1969C/10 Unskilled Labor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH-IO Posts: 788	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Andy, Thanks again! You saved me big time on this one! __________________ 1986 K/20, 350/TH400, My First 4x4.......

08-05-2006, 10:41 AM	#12
rico_vancouver Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 8	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Excellent timing for this post. I'm going out this morning to have a first look at what I'm up against with my 68'. Sorry for the newbie question, but where is the ignition module located, and is it readily purchased at any major auto supplier? I only have diagnostic info from my brother, who isn't the greatest mechanically. Apparently, it has good fuel, battery, starter etc., but simply won't crank. Thanks, Rich Last edited by rico_vancouver; 08-05-2006 at 10:41 AM.

08-05-2006, 05:29 PM	#13
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,717	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Here is a website that'll make you an expert on HEI distributors. http://www.rustpuppy.org/ignition2/Ignition%202b.htm __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

08-05-2006, 08:31 PM	#14
iluvmy72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Springville, UT, USA Posts: 1,010	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! check your negative battery connection....if it's just a little loose, you'll never get it started!!!

08-07-2006, 06:46 PM	#15
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Thanks longhorn man!! I had a feeling that was what it was. Thanks for the props!



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08-07-2006, 08:32 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Honestly, I always roll my eyes when some one says how "modules always go out"... or "I have to carry a spare module" or what ever. Now, I've only been running old school engines for 10 years or so, but i have NEVER had one go bad. Which makes it that much more amazing that I had one in my truck tool box. Like I said, it just means I carry too much junk.

08-08-2006, 10:16 AM	#17
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! I hear ya. It's only happened to me twice and I've been messing with trucks for 20 years. If you install a new modual and don't put the white grease on the side that mounts to the inside of the distributor it will get very hot and not last near as long. Which is what happened the 2nd time when it laid down on me. The first time it just barfed from old age. And b.t.w., you can never have too much junk! However my wife seems to think I do.

08-08-2006, 10:31 AM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Help Truck Won't Start! Yeah, that kinda sucked, I had a used GM mod in the box, but no grease. However, the folowing day he PM'd me sayin he came across some dieelectric grease, asking if that would do it. I told him how important it was to get it in there, I hope he didn't have any problems getting to it.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.