Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 03:03 PM

Driving down the road and suddenly my truck died. It started back up but died again a mile later. Checked spark and I have none. Any ideas where to look first? Thanks!

sboris · 09-30-2014, 03:07 PM

Other than a loose wire to to hei or something. No idea, but wish you luck.

GCncsuHD · 09-30-2014, 03:10 PM

Points or HEI?

Start by checking that you have a good connection at the coil-I once had a truck that the nut that held down the ring terminal on the coil had came loose. It was running fine, hit a bump and it cut off, started right back up, hit a bump, it cut off. That's when I found the loose nut, tightened it and it was fine ever since. If you are not getting spark on any 8 then coil/wire connections is where I'd start.

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCncsuHD

Points or HEI?

Start by checking that you have a good connection at the coil-I once had a truck that the nut that held down the ring terminal on the coil had came loose. It was running fine, hit a bump and it cut off, started right back up, hit a bump, it cut off. That's when I found the loose nut, tightened it and it was fine ever since. If you are not getting spark on any 8 then coil/wire connections is where I'd start.

HEI, I ran a hot wire from the batt to the coil no luck. I'm guessing my coil went bad?

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 03:18 PM

Waiting on a row truck now. $150 to go 14 miles!

**steelhorse** · 09-30-2014, 03:20 PM

HEI probably the module went bad.

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhorse

HEI probably the module went bad.

Would that be the "coil" on top of cap? Do they work intermittently before dying?

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 03:37 PM

I noticed my tach isn't moving as I crank, I assume that would also indicate a bad coil?

67ChevyRedneck · 09-30-2014, 03:49 PM

No, the HEI control module is this:

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

No, the HEI control module is this:

I haven't seen that in my truck, is it under the rotor?

**steelhorse** · 09-30-2014, 03:56 PM

Yes it is under the rotor button.

Custom 68 · 09-30-2014, 03:57 PM

yes it is under your rotor.

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhorse

Yes it is under the rotor button.

Thanks, just looked at a diagram. I think I'll replace the coil and module, sucks sitting on the side of the road!

**Ol Blue K20** · 09-30-2014, 04:21 PM

My vote is on the module. I have also had the rotor burn a hole and ground through the shaft. Once in a great while the pick coil is the problem.

67ChevyRedneck · 09-30-2014, 04:36 PM

Also make sure you have all ground straps. Sometimes the metal one is missed. Will work for a while, but eventually kill module and/or coil. Also check truck ground straps. Should be motor to cab, cab to frame, and motor to frame.

It's @ 1:10 in video.

How to Install Accel HEI Corrected Distributor...

BruthaMan · 09-30-2014, 05:29 PM

Went through this myself a few months ago. Driving along the highway from Lubbock to San Angelo, and truck died.

In my case, it was the coil, but it could also be the ignition module. I now carry a spare coil and module in my tool bag! Neither are hard to replace, but if ignition module, will probably need to pull the distributor.

Here's a recent thread that may be of help:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6795237

When mine went, there was a backfire out of the carb. Once I got the truck home (good samaritan towed me 115 miles or so), I replaced the coil and it started right up. Took longer to drive to the parts store and pick up the new coil than it did putting it in.

Then I discovered the effect of the backfire that happened as it died. The intake manifold seal on the rear of the motor blew out. Be sure to check for oil leaks once you replace the module or coil!

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 08:06 PM

Thanks all! Got it towed home, pulled the coil and sure enough it was dead. All fixed now! Thanks again!

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 08:06 PM

One plus, I saved a gallon of gas!

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 09:14 PM

I'm really hoping it's fixed! This morning it died three times, I got it to start the first two but no luck on the third. I always thought a coil would just die, not work again. I hope it's not the module working intermittently. It did start right up after I installed the new coil, actually started better than normal so hopefully it was the coil! Thanks again everyone!

ho70 · 09-30-2014, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirSpeed

I'm really hoping it's fixed! This morning it died three times, I got it to start the first two but no luck on the third. I always thought a coil would just die, not work again. I hope it's not the module working intermittently. It did start right up after I installed the new coil, actually started better than normal so hopefully it was the coil! Thanks again everyone!

Sometimes they die when they are hot and when cool they work

AirSpeed · 09-30-2014, 09:25 PM

67 chevyredneck wish I knew of those corrected caps sooner, I just replaced cap, rotor, wires and plugs a couple weeks ago. That sucker would have made it so much nicer running my plug wires! I wonder how many guys have come across one of those and tried to wire it like a regular cap, would take some time before you realized it's not a regular cap! I also wish I had replaced my coil when I replaced my cap! Would have saved me some $. Change your coils when you change your cap, I'm my case it would have saved me a $150 tow bill and hours sitting on the side of the road.

Hubscrub · 09-30-2014, 09:28 PM

All my module failures have been all at once get in and no start. Not a hard thing to replace. Good luck hope it's fixed

71swb4x4 · 09-30-2014, 09:30 PM

Put an extra module in your glovebox and if it turns out that was it you have it ready to go.

**WIDESIDE72** · 10-05-2014, 09:27 PM

You can also run an msd 6 and do away with the stock HEI module all together. I have bought several at swap meets over the years for $10-$20 and they all worked! The sellers always say "good luck figuring out that rat nest of wire!" or something like it. I forget to tell them that you can go to men's website and download a wiring diagram for an application. I even used one of the msd's on a 91 Acura Integra I swapped a B16 VTEC (yo!) into as a commuter since the the car was obd1 and the engine was obd2 I didn't want to pay $300 for a jdm obd1 distributor (wasn't available in U.S.) and a guy gave me one for free that had a bad ignitor.

09-30-2014, 03:03 PM	#1
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Driving down the road and suddenly my truck died. It started back up but died again a mile later. Checked spark and I have none. Any ideas where to look first? Thanks! __________________ http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v655/aaronhero/

09-30-2014, 03:07 PM	#2
sboris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Osceola, Ia Posts: 2,016	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Other than a loose wire to to hei or something. No idea, but wish you luck. __________________ Shawn 68 chevy K/20 05 chevy 3/4 4x4 71 short step-sold 71 chevy Beauville van My build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=633039

09-30-2014, 03:10 PM	#3
GCncsuHD Charlie Daniels w/ a Tq Wrench Join Date: May 2009 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 1,570	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Points or HEI? Start by checking that you have a good connection at the coil-I once had a truck that the nut that held down the ring terminal on the coil had came loose. It was running fine, hit a bump and it cut off, started right back up, hit a bump, it cut off. That's when I found the loose nut, tightened it and it was fine ever since. If you are not getting spark on any 8 then coil/wire connections is where I'd start. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 67 C10 Shortbed "Great Grandpa's Truck" I6 3 on the Tree 71k original miles 5.3 swap in the works 69 K5 Blazer-Family Beach Cruiser Project 78 K30 Dually Semi-Retired Fire Truck 350/SM465 35"s SOLD01 2500HD ECSB 6.0 4x4 5.13's 8" lift 38"s

09-30-2014, 03:18 PM	#5
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Waiting on a row truck now. $150 to go 14 miles! __________________ http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v655/aaronhero/

09-30-2014, 03:20 PM	#6
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark HEI probably the module went bad.

09-30-2014, 03:37 PM	#8
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark I noticed my tach isn't moving as I crank, I assume that would also indicate a bad coil? __________________ http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v655/aaronhero/

09-30-2014, 03:49 PM	#9
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark No, the HEI control module is this: __________________ 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!

09-30-2014, 03:56 PM	#11
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Yes it is under the rotor button.

09-30-2014, 03:57 PM	#12
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark yes it is under your rotor. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

09-30-2014, 04:21 PM	#14
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,997	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark My vote is on the module. I have also had the rotor burn a hole and ground through the shaft. Once in a great while the pick coil is the problem. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

09-30-2014, 05:29 PM	#16
BruthaMan US Army Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,049	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Went through this myself a few months ago. Driving along the highway from Lubbock to San Angelo, and truck died. In my case, it was the coil, but it could also be the ignition module. I now carry a spare coil and module in my tool bag! Neither are hard to replace, but if ignition module, will probably need to pull the distributor. Here's a recent thread that may be of help: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6795237 When mine went, there was a backfire out of the carb. Once I got the truck home (good samaritan towed me 115 miles or so), I replaced the coil and it started right up. Took longer to drive to the parts store and pick up the new coil than it did putting it in. Then I discovered the effect of the backfire that happened as it died. The intake manifold seal on the rear of the motor blew out. Be sure to check for oil leaks once you replace the module or coil! __________________ 1972 C10 Highlander - The making of a daily driver

09-30-2014, 08:06 PM	#17
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Thanks all! Got it towed home, pulled the coil and sure enough it was dead. All fixed now! Thanks again! __________________ http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v655/aaronhero/

09-30-2014, 09:14 PM	#19
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark I'm really hoping it's fixed! This morning it died three times, I got it to start the first two but no luck on the third. I always thought a coil would just die, not work again. I hope it's not the module working intermittently. It did start right up after I installed the new coil, actually started better than normal so hopefully it was the coil! Thanks again everyone! __________________ http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v655/aaronhero/

09-30-2014, 09:25 PM	#21
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark 67 chevyredneck wish I knew of those corrected caps sooner, I just replaced cap, rotor, wires and plugs a couple weeks ago. That sucker would have made it so much nicer running my plug wires! I wonder how many guys have come across one of those and tried to wire it like a regular cap, would take some time before you realized it's not a regular cap! I also wish I had replaced my coil when I replaced my cap! Would have saved me some $. Change your coils when you change your cap, I'm my case it would have saved me a $150 tow bill and hours sitting on the side of the road. __________________ http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v655/aaronhero/

09-30-2014, 09:28 PM	#22
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark All my module failures have been all at once get in and no start. Not a hard thing to replace. Good luck hope it's fixed __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14



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09-30-2014, 09:30 PM	#23
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark Put an extra module in your glovebox and if it turns out that was it you have it ready to go. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

10-05-2014, 09:27 PM	#24
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,494	Re: Help! Stuck on side of road, no spark You can also run an msd 6 and do away with the stock HEI module all together. I have bought several at swap meets over the years for $10-$20 and they all worked! The sellers always say "good luck figuring out that rat nest of wire!" or something like it. I forget to tell them that you can go to men's website and download a wiring diagram for an application. I even used one of the msd's on a 91 Acura Integra I swapped a B16 VTEC (yo!) into as a commuter since the the car was obd1 and the engine was obd2 I didn't want to pay $300 for a jdm obd1 distributor (wasn't available in U.S.) and a guy gave me one for free that had a bad ignitor.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.