engine will run a little while then stall

1994 CHEVROLET S-10
120,000 MILES
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TINAK32
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my husband has a 94 zr2 s10, it will start and run for a few minutes and quit, he can drive it for a short distance and it will quit on him, he is getting fire from the coil tot he distributor but no fire is coming from the distributor
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:06 PM
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JDL
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Maybe a problem with cap or rotor? Does the rotor turn when you crank the engine? Any applicable trouble codes? How long since a tune-up?
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:20 PM
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TINAK32
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He's put on a new distributor cap new module new plugs new pickup coil there is no fire coming from the distributor it has to be coming from the firing system do you have any other options that we can go by
Dec 13, 2011 at 2:47 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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If the spark is getting from the coil to the cap, then the problem lies in the distributor somewhere. Missing or defective rotor? Rotor not turning inside distributor indicating either a broken distributor shaft, distributor drive gear, or cam gear.
Dec 13, 2011 at 5:21 AM
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TINAK32
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The rotor is turning i have replaced the distributor cap the module the coil spark plugs the rotor the key firing box and computer i'm getting power to the coil but not the distributor any more suggestions
Dec 15, 2011 at 2:11 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Ok. Power to the coil is different from the coil supplying a spark. Use a well insulated Phillips screwdriver. Pull the coil wire from the distributor and insert the screwdriver into the boot. Hold the screwdriver shaft about 1/8 to 1/4 inch from a good ground, and have someone crank the engine. You should see a strong, snapping blue spark. If not, replace the coil.

If it is an HEI coil (the kind mounted on the distributor cap) disconnect the wires and measure the resistance across the coil and let us know what you find.
Dec 15, 2011 at 3:57 AM
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