Not starting once the engine has warmed up?

1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
180,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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VARGO ENTERPRISES
Once the vehicle is warm and stopped it will not restart until it has cooled down completely.
Dec 21, 2024 at 7:01 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,193 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

It could be related to the crankshaft position sensor. When they start to fail, often heat adversely affects them preventing ignition spark to the spark plugs. If this has a tachometer, see if it moves when cranking and it won't start.

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if it mirrors what you experienced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Also, if the tachometer does move, see if it starts with starting fluid. If it does and then stalls, we have a fuel issue.

Let me know.

joe
Dec 21, 2024 at 9:53 PM
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VARGO ENTERPRISES
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Sorry I didn’t get back right away. Thank you for your response and insight. I ended up pulling the distributor cap and finding heavy arcing carbon buildup. Brushed it clean and it fired right up. I’m going to replace cap and rotor. Might just do the crankshaft position sensor too. Easy enough and cheap to do. Thank you again!
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:28 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,193 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

No problem whatsoever. I'm glad to know you got it running. As far as the corrosion, if it was on the distributor cap, certainly replace it. As far as the crankshaft position sensor, if it is working, I would just let it alone. I was taught many years ago that if it isn't broken, don't fix it. LOL But that's your call. I always end up with new problems when I do that.

Let me know if you have other questions and I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Take care and feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Joe
Dec 23, 2024 at 8:11 PM
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