No-start Situation - Any Thoughts?

[Zilverado]

Sorry for the long post, but I'll try and get as much detail in as possible...

So I go out this morning to start the truck. It's a little cool at -15 C (5 F), and kinda humid, but that is usually not an issue.

Crank 'er over a few times and she starts up - a little rough, but pretty normal. Let it idle briefly while I scrape the windshield, put it in gear and she stalls immediately. Go to crank again, and she just cranks.... and cranks and cranks and.... Gave it some time and tried again, still just cranking (good strong battery). Not even a hint of a fire. Put the pedal on the floor (thinking she might be flooded), and still nothing - not even a sputter. Look around under the hood a bit (it's dark at 6:00 am here), open the air cleaner to check the carb. Fuel jets are slightly wet, but not like I'd expect after all my pumping.

By now things are getting rushed, so I close the hood and run to the bus stop to get to work...

So, I'm thinking it's a fuel issue - - maybe even as simple as condensation in the lines (did I mention the tank I was using was almost empty), and with the temperatures going up and down here lately.

Since I knew I was running on a low fuel tank, I also tried to switch tanks (I'm pretty sure the other one was full), but the gauge didn't move. I would think the fuel tank switch should work, even with just the ignition switch "on" (truck not running) right? Not sure if this issue is related or not.

Lastly, I wierd thing happened the other day - when I got home after a short drive, I put the truck in "park" on the driveway and I got a bit of a "clunk" from the tranny. I didn't think much of it at the time, but with what happened this morning I was wondering - - since the truck stalled immediately when I put it in gear. But when I tried starting it again, I was back in "park", so I don't think the two are related.

Anyway, I'll take a better look around tonight when I get home, but suggestions of what I should be looking for? Thanks.

[Donnylee]

Sounds to me like you might have had someone siphon all your gas.... I would put some gas in your main tank you indicated was low or almost empty and start it up!

[wedgemon]

This sounds familiar...

First, I believe the clunk and starting issues are un-related. So let's tackle the starting...

I'm guessing the "assumed" full tank was the left one. And nothing happened when you switched. Correct? Dual tanks DEFAULT to the right or passenger side tank when the switch valve freezes or faults (electrical short). The gauge still will reflect the tank as full, but switch over never happens - and you run out of gas on the right side tank.

This exact situation happened to me 2 years ago.

You need to get some fuel in the right tank and see if it starts. Then, you need to determine if freezing or short is the switch problem.

The clunk could be the torque-converter flex plate.

Hope this helps!!

- Dave

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by Donnylee

Sounds to me like you might have had someone siphon all your gas.... I would put some gas in your main tank you indicated was low or almost empty and start it up!

BTW - - LOVE your avatar! Where did you get that???

"... I can't see Dad...is that Bill Shakespeare over there? ...why don't you just shut your big fat yapper!..."

[Donnylee]

I hijacked it somewhere a while back and decided to employ him here....I have always been a bit of a fan of his, and I always thought that skit was so damn funny.......It really was the last of the good stuff coming out of SNL

"I am a motivational Speeeeaker"! Mom...Dad???? Do I sense we are talking about some Doobie here?

[Zilverado]

[QUOTE=Donnylee;2079792]...It really was the last of the good stuff coming out of SNL...QUOTE]

You got that right. Aside from the occasional funny bits on Weekend Update (and an upcoming appearance by Carrie Underwood as musical guest on March 24) the show is pretty much gone to the dogs - - unless your into all the perverted sexual hunour - - that's just not me

[SmittySmith]

Have you got her going yet?? Check for spark... pull a plug and have a friend crank it over. If there is no spark, you might check the distributor.. I've had the stator wire break before and there will be no spark at all, and it can happen just like you described...running then next time you try to start it it's dead.
So you did that check and found spark...
Now you can chase the fuel problem...
Best of luck it getting it resolved.

~Smitty

[Zilverado]

Yeah, I did actually manage to get it going in the evening when I got home. It didn't run great and still is not running very good, so there's obviously something going on. So, I'm planning to do some basic tune-up stuff (plugs, wires, filters, etc.) and see where that takes me, and then go from there. Fortunately, these older engines are a little easier to figure out than all the computer-controlled monsters of today...

But, I think I'll start a new thread about what to look for here.

Thanks again.