'87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Toddbo34 · 09-27-2015, 09:37 PM

I picked up a 1987 SWB 4x4 for my son. The truck is really nice and seems to run really strong. However it occasionally dies while driving. After a couple of minutes it will start right up. Its rather complicated to trouble shoot when the problem fixes itself. Have any of you out there experienced this problem?

chengny · 09-27-2015, 11:56 PM

TBI with ESC/EST I guess. The electrical system remains functional?

A clean stall and easy restart without touching anything (occurring at random times, unrelated to engine temperature, load, weather conditions, etc.) would generally suggest an intermittent electrical issue. I would start by looking at the wiring to the distributor.

To determine whether the problem is fuel or ignition related, keep a can of ether handy. Next time it stalls, get out and spray a healthy shot of ether into the air cleaner. This has to be done quickly while it is still in a no-start condition.

If the engine fires up on ether but then quickly dies, look at the fuel pump circuit.

If ether doesn't get it to start the problem isn't fuel related and you should concentrate on the ignition system.

**old Rusty C10** · 09-28-2015, 10:23 AM

if its the ignition system with these systems its usually the module in the distributor or the HEI coil but id do the tests with the ether first

walkerb · 09-29-2015, 07:07 AM

I experienced the same thing with a 87 I owned. Ended up being wiring at the fuse box under the hood

Get it to run and the while its running try wiggling wires near the fuse box. Worth a try anyway

Ski-me · 09-29-2015, 09:58 AM

I'd look at the coil and distributor.

When I first bought my 89', the owner said "sometimes, it just doesn't start". If I waited a while, it would just fix itself. Finally brought it to the dealer and found a bad distributor.

Just an idea. Or perhaps the fuel pump.

Jake Wade · 09-29-2015, 09:11 PM

Top two problems with the TBI era trucks, Fuel pumps and Distributors.

KrazyRay · 09-30-2015, 10:33 AM

My 88 Blazer died and would not start back up even after waiting a few minutes or the next day. I sprayed ether and still no start. It was the ignition module in the distributor. I think the random problem could be the coil, but I would do the ether test first to eliminate a fuel delivery issue.

Toddbo34 · 10-02-2015, 10:55 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I am ordering a good iginition control module and installing it. Since the problem is so quick to fix itself I haven't been able to try starting fluid.

09-27-2015, 09:37 PM	#1
Toddbo34 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Santa Fe, Texas Posts: 6	'87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. I picked up a 1987 SWB 4x4 for my son. The truck is really nice and seems to run really strong. However it occasionally dies while driving. After a couple of minutes it will start right up. Its rather complicated to trouble shoot when the problem fixes itself. Have any of you out there experienced this problem?

09-27-2015, 11:56 PM	#2
chengny Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 349	Re: '87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. TBI with ESC/EST I guess. The electrical system remains functional? A clean stall and easy restart without touching anything (occurring at random times, unrelated to engine temperature, load, weather conditions, etc.) would generally suggest an intermittent electrical issue. I would start by looking at the wiring to the distributor. To determine whether the problem is fuel or ignition related, keep a can of ether handy. Next time it stalls, get out and spray a healthy shot of ether into the air cleaner. This has to be done quickly while it is still in a no-start condition. If the engine fires up on ether but then quickly dies, look at the fuel pump circuit. If ether doesn't get it to start the problem isn't fuel related and you should concentrate on the ignition system.

09-28-2015, 10:23 AM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,281	Re: '87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. if its the ignition system with these systems its usually the module in the distributor or the HEI coil but id do the tests with the ether first __________________ 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!!

09-29-2015, 07:07 AM	#4
walkerb Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 831	Re: '87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. I experienced the same thing with a 87 I owned. Ended up being wiring at the fuse box under the hood Get it to run and the while its running try wiggling wires near the fuse box. Worth a try anyway __________________ 1973 k20 Suburban 350 1974 Custom stepside c-10 250 1975 Chevy stepside 454 1986 K30 Crewcab SRW 350 R.I.P- glimmertwin01- board member and good friend, you will be missed

09-29-2015, 09:58 AM	#5
Ski-me Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colo Springs, CO Posts: 870	Re: '87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. I'd look at the coil and distributor. When I first bought my 89', the owner said "sometimes, it just doesn't start". If I waited a while, it would just fix itself. Finally brought it to the dealer and found a bad distributor. Just an idea. Or perhaps the fuel pump. __________________ - Jeff 89' K5 Blazer, 2.5" lift, 35" tires 04' GMC Yukon XL, 3/4 ton, 8.1L

09-29-2015, 09:11 PM	#6
Jake Wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 711	Re: '87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. Top two problems with the TBI era trucks, Fuel pumps and Distributors.

09-30-2015, 10:33 AM	#7
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	Re: '87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. My 88 Blazer died and would not start back up even after waiting a few minutes or the next day. I sprayed ether and still no start. It was the ignition module in the distributor. I think the random problem could be the coil, but I would do the ether test first to eliminate a fuel delivery issue.

10-02-2015, 10:55 PM	#8
Toddbo34 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Santa Fe, Texas Posts: 6	Re: '87 Chevy ramdomly DIES. Thanks for all the advice. I am ordering a good iginition control module and installing it. Since the problem is so quick to fix itself I haven't been able to try starting fluid.



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