No engine spark, no start

Tiny
GRAHAM ANDREW2
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 206,000 MILES
I have the truck listed above K1500. I drove it home from work about a week ago, it was fine. Got home, went inside, came back out and it wouldn't start. Gave a really slow crank. I took the battery and had it tested. Tested good, and charged which I expected, it's pretty much brand new. So, I put it back in the truck, and tried again, and it slow cranked, but then after a hard time it started up. I let it run for a bit, shut it down, and it wouldn't start again. This time I pulled the starter, it wasn't bad but had some oil present inside, so I had it tested, it tested good, but I replaced it anyways because of the gunk. Put the new starter in, and tried again, this time it really didn't want to start, but after about five minutes of trying, it fired, but when I shut it off it wouldn't fire again. I charge and drop tested with a voltmeter, everything is in range. I spark tested with an Inline Spark Tester, the coil produced spark, but it never leaves the cap to the block. So I replaced my entire distributor system, and the coil, and the control module, the spark plugs, and the wires. Then tried again, same deal; no start, however she did gasp, like a weird backfire with no combustion. I'm now stumped.
Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 8:51 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

During some research on your vehicle this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) popped up. I have included it in the diagrams down below. Please go through it and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
GRAHAM ANDREW2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Good Response, however that appears to be for Fuel Injected and Diesel engines. I have a 5.7L Carburated Engine. It would appear my fuel output is fine. The presence of fuel in the carburetor is there.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
Did you replace the ignition rotor and cap?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
GRAHAM ANDREW2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, I replaced the entire assembly (shaft, pick up, rotor, cap, control module, ignition coil, spark plugs and spark plug wires).
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, Your vehicle has a completely rebuilt ignition system, and the fuel pressure to the carburator is good, then it must be an issue with low compression. A vehicle needs three things for an engine to start, spark(delivered at the proper time), fuel in adequate volume(not pressure), and compression to start. If these three things are present, an engine really has no choice but to start, so I have included a few links for you to go to down below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-compression
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/the-reasons-for-low-compression
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please go through these guides that I have included above and get back to us with what you find out please.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 6:13 PM

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