1995 Chevy 1500 4.3 weird no start
Asked by Mark Feb 17, 2016 at 02:43 PM about the 1995 Chevrolet C/K 1500 WT LB 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
We have a 1995 beater plow truck for the yard that
hard starts in the cold but always started and ran
good. Ran it two days ago to push snow came
back today and did the normal starting procedure
to get it going (prime fuel line by cycling pump, had
to put the tank in the bed to the fuel lines are to
long) crank it over a few times and she always
comes to life, not even that cold today so I didn't
think it would take much.
Today I got nothing, after about 10 minutes of trying
I try starter fluid with no luck, even sprayed directly
into throttle body, no luck doesn't even try to start
What could make this truck go from running fine to
having no ignition practically over night, it didn't
even sputter with the starting fluid which makes me
think there's no spark, any ideas?
10 Answers
No spark is right, need to check over the ignition system, visual on the cap and rotor, the ignition control module and coil should be taken off and tested at Auto Zone.
You say you have no spark. You have to start somewhere with the ignition system. Check the cap and rotor for cracks and burn marks, this would be where the spark can find ground = no start. Check the wires, you could have a bad coil wire. But the coil & ignition control module are the main components for spark, and they can be tested first before purchasing.
twinkiedooter answered 8 years ago
Some coils die a slow death taking sometimes weeks. Others die right away. Yours could have been going for awhile and you just didn't notice the loss of power.....mine did that for 2 weeks and then kaput!!! Coils are not easy to diagnose or even think about but yes, they do die. A new coil for my car is about $60. I would shy away from a junkyard coil but if that's all you can afford now....go for it. Can't hurt but keep in mind when you start losing power you may have to buy a new one. Try pricing a new one on Advanced Auto online and use the chat button and ask for a hefty discount...I can get 30% off if I keep chatting with the agent.
They're $20 new, I'm gonna grab one and pray I can get the old rusted one off
twinkiedooter answered 8 years ago
I just got back from the local junkyard where I got a headlight switch off the same car I got a wiper switch back in Nov. $20 new is a very good price for a new coil. Be careful not to get any PB on anything other than the screws as you could easily fry your electrical system.. Then use a small brass brush to clean off the rust. Be sure to unhook the battery so you don't fry your electrical system. Extreme cold or extreme heat are murder on coils..
I have older Chevy Truck previous had no spark would not run or cut off going down road. My problem 2 different times. 1 no gas to carb. Bad fuel pump. Check see if getting gas in carb. If getting gas it's not the problem. 2 distributor on my older Chevy c10 has coil under distributor that requires distributor to be taken out to replace. Must mark from rotor to motor if taken out to put back same as removed or it will be out of timing & will not run. If not mechanically incline I would say take to shop & let replace. Can't be replaced without removing.
Mark the Rowefast advise about same as mine. No spark want crank getting gas to carb has to be coil, plug wires, coil wire, rotor, distributor cap. In other words tune up. Older Chevy trucks have coil under the distributor that requires it to be taken out to replace. Easy to get out time if don't mark rotor to motor. Check to see if your truck has this coil? If not mechanically incline take to shop.
Mark check see if carb is getting gas. Check gas filter to carb if no gas, but if want fire with starter fluid if carb then not the problem answers above most likely.
