1996 GMC Jimmy spark issues

Tiny
BRIAN0120
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 GMC JIMMY
  • 160,000 MILES
I have had an issue with my 1996 GMC jimmy not starting it will crank but not start at first I thought it was the fuel pump not working but then to find out it was. So then I tried looking at my spark and comes to find out they werent sparking. I checked the (ignition coil) I think it was once before when I had a similar issue but I got it started but then it wouldnt start again like two days after I just dont know where to start when I am checking for a spark issue. My parents went on vacation for 5 days and the first three days into it I had trouble getting the truck to start but I was able to get it to start but on the third day I had the same trouble but I wasnt able to get it to start. But when my parents came back trying to get it to crank for two days I was able to get it started but then it woudnt start again two days after as I said earlier in the description. I need help I need my car back.
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 AT 10:52 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes and check fuel pressure first fp should be 60-66 psi. Check fuse underhood as well and then try resetting anti theft system
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Thursday, July 11th, 2013 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
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  • 9 POSTS
I scanned for codes already and it said there wasnt any. And I cant find any fuses under the hood I tried it is like impossible to find.
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Thursday, July 11th, 2013 AT 8:50 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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The fuses are in the fuse box you have to remove the cover first. Check ign andecm fuses. It a large black box probably on lh side. Then if there are no codes have apro look at itas it may be a crank or cam sensor bad.
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Friday, July 12th, 2013 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I believe it is the camshaft placement sensor. We have replaced the ignition coil pack, the distributor cap and rotor in the distributor. We still are not getting any spark to the spark plugs. Oh and all the fuses are fine and no codes show up.
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Thursday, October 17th, 2013 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try crank sensor first as they will do that not give a code and not start. Have you tried a different key as the diode may be bad in yours.
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Thursday, October 17th, 2013 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
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  • 9 POSTS
Can you put a picture or a description of what a diode is? I believe that you are talking about the generator diode if I'm correct.
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It's part of the key it will be by the end of where it is ground for different tings go to a locksmith as we don't have those pictures.
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
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  • 9 POSTS
Im confused sorry
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Look at your key and there shold be alittle rectangular or square piece on thekey, or go to a locksmisth or hardware that sells keys they will showyou if you have a spare key try that as the diode goes bad sometimes or the one in the ignition and the truck won't start. It's your anti theft system.
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 11:57 AM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Oh it doesn't have a diode on the key so could it be the camshaft sensor
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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You are just shooting in the dark there should be fuses in thedash fuse box and check ones for ecm ign etc. They should be marked on underside of fusebox cover replace the cam sensor if you want it's in the distributor.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Well we are getting power out of the coil and to the distributor but not out of the distributor. And the next thing in the book to check is engine mechanical failure. We are just at a point of we don't know what to do next. Any suggestions
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Monday, October 21st, 2013 AT 1:02 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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If you are getting a good spark out of the coil meaning like a almost blue strong spark then the rotor in dist is either broken or cracked as well as dist cap. They should be replaced but do it one wire at a time so not to screw up the firing order.
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Monday, October 21st, 2013 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
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We have already replaced all that and still nothing
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Monday, October 21st, 2013 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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I hav e no further suggestions then. It shold start unless something else is wrong.
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Monday, October 21st, 2013 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
BRIAN0120
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Well we think that the rotor we got for the distributor is a faulty one so we are going to bring it back and have them replace it and hope and pray that is going to fix it.
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Thursday, October 24th, 2013 AT 9:46 AM

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