1991 Chevy S-10 Turns over but does not start

Tiny
PELEPRICE
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 CHEVROLET S-10
Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Chevy S-10 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

It was running fine one day then the next day we came out and it would not start. When we tried to turn it over it would crank as if it were going to start but would never catch. The battery is good, we changed the fuel filter and then checked to make sure the fuel was coming in, then changed the spark plugs and fixed a broken vacuum hose. Nothing seems to have helped.
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 2:41 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 2:50 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do below

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 2:52 PM

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