Need help--truck won't start! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

morglan · 04-20-2005, 08:38 AM

It's an 82 with a Goodwrench 350. It drove fine all day yesterday, but when I went to start it today, it wouldn't fire. It's getting gas, but when it turns over, it sounds funny--almost like it's turning over real fast.

I've recently (as in a couple months ago) replaced the distributor cap, coil, and ignition module.

I have not yet checked for spark (didn't have time this morning), but I'm pretty sure there is none.

What could it be? What would it sound like if the timing chain came off? Could that happen from just sitting overnight?

Help!

60-66 Nut · 04-20-2005, 08:48 AM

Lift the dist cap, spin the engine over and make sure the dist is turning. If it's not, then you definatley have problems. Let us know what you find.

60-66 Nut

86 GMG · 04-20-2005, 09:18 AM

as far as timming chain, when you turn truck off it kinda sresses the chain it can snap it if it was weak, dont assume any thing yet check for spark (pul dist.cap and see if motor is spinning good luck

morglan · 04-20-2005, 01:18 PM

OK, at lunch I lifted the cap to see if the rotor was turning-it is.

Now, when I put the cap back on, I fiddled with the wire that runs from the distributor (I believe) to the coil.

I made sure that it was plugged in as secure as possible (which isn't as tightly as it should be--since one of the little locking arms has long since broken off the plug), and kind of pushed the plastic-wrapped wire down so it runs along under the edge of the distributor housing and then up to the plug.

Once I finished this, the truck started right up. I guess that's good & bad--good that it wasn't the timing chain, but bad because I'm not entirely sure what the problem was. I suppose that the simplest explanation would be that the plug worked itself loose--but it appeared to be connected when I first got under the hood.

Can that wire be replaced, or is it integral to the distributor (I guess what I mean is--at the other end, it it plugged into something, or wired directly?)

Thanks!

**old Rusty C10** · 04-20-2005, 01:35 PM

sounds like just what you described the wire came loose... its part of the main wiring harness but you can find one on ajunkyard truck and just sorta splice it int here just make sure you seal up the wires real good

86 GMG · 04-21-2005, 09:43 AM

Just My Opinion Instead Of Splicing Try Finding The Clip In A Junk Yard B/c You Cant Buy One New I've Tried. The Metal Clip Is Pressed In And The Tab Can Be Depressed With A Little Flathead Screw Driver Pull Clip Off And Slip New Back On You May Bend Metal Tab On Wire Connection Out A Little Bit For A Good Solid Fit. This Eliminates The Splicing Of Wires And As You Know Another Possible Problem Hope This Helps Good Luck

04-20-2005, 08:38 AM	#1
morglan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern NY Posts: 63	Need help--truck won't start! It's an 82 with a Goodwrench 350. It drove fine all day yesterday, but when I went to start it today, it wouldn't fire. It's getting gas, but when it turns over, it sounds funny--almost like it's turning over real fast. I've recently (as in a couple months ago) replaced the distributor cap, coil, and ignition module. I have not yet checked for spark (didn't have time this morning), but I'm pretty sure there is none. What could it be? What would it sound like if the timing chain came off? Could that happen from just sitting overnight? Help!

04-20-2005, 08:48 AM	#2
60-66 Nut Professional Beer Tester Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 453	Lift the dist cap, spin the engine over and make sure the dist is turning. If it's not, then you definatley have problems. Let us know what you find. 60-66 Nut __________________ 60 Ford F100 Custom Cab 61 Apache Short Fleetside 64 C10 Short Stepside 65 C80 409 V8 5spd(X-Firetruck) 83 GMC 350 Olds Diesel 85 GMC Short Bed 86 GMC Short Bed 90 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 92 GMC 1500

04-20-2005, 09:18 AM	#3
86 GMG Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 943	as far as timming chain, when you turn truck off it kinda sresses the chain it can snap it if it was weak, dont assume any thing yet check for spark (pul dist.cap and see if motor is spinning good luck __________________ square body trucks an addiction or an investment either way they consume all my extra time and money

04-20-2005, 01:35 PM	#5
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	sounds like just what you described the wire came loose... its part of the main wiring harness but you can find one on ajunkyard truck and just sorta splice it int here just make sure you seal up the wires real good __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

04-21-2005, 09:43 AM	#6
86 GMG Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 943	Just My Opinion Instead Of Splicing Try Finding The Clip In A Junk Yard B/c You Cant Buy One New I've Tried. The Metal Clip Is Pressed In And The Tab Can Be Depressed With A Little Flathead Screw Driver Pull Clip Off And Slip New Back On You May Bend Metal Tab On Wire Connection Out A Little Bit For A Good Solid Fit. This Eliminates The Splicing Of Wires And As You Know Another Possible Problem Hope This Helps Good Luck __________________ square body trucks an addiction or an investment either way they consume all my extra time and money

04-20-2005, 01:18 PM	#4
morglan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern NY Posts: 63	OK, at lunch I lifted the cap to see if the rotor was turning-it is. Now, when I put the cap back on, I fiddled with the wire that runs from the distributor (I believe) to the coil. I made sure that it was plugged in as secure as possible (which isn't as tightly as it should be--since one of the little locking arms has long since broken off the plug), and kind of pushed the plastic-wrapped wire down so it runs along under the edge of the distributor housing and then up to the plug. Once I finished this, the truck started right up. I guess that's good & bad--good that it wasn't the timing chain, but bad because I'm not entirely sure what the problem was. I suppose that the simplest explanation would be that the plug worked itself loose--but it appeared to be connected when I first got under the hood. Can that wire be replaced, or is it integral to the distributor (I guess what I mean is--at the other end, it it plugged into something, or wired directly?) Thanks!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.