1996 GMC Sierra cranks but wont start.

Tiny
N8K
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 GMC SIERRA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
Ok I have a 1996 gmc sierra 4.3 v6 2wd 187.000 miles. It started acting up about 2 weeks ago. In the morning when id head to work it would sputter and die and then start running fine and would be ok for the rest of the day. It started getting worse to the point that it dosnt start anymore. It cranks but dosnt turn over. It would only sputter and have problems when accelerating but would idle fine so I dont suspect any vaccum problems. I had the computer checked and had a random misfire code. I get 60 psi for fuel pressure and you can smell gas at the exaust pipe when cranking it so im getting gas just no spark. I had the ignition module check and that was fine. I replaced the distrubuter cap and rotar, and checked the coil with a ohm meter and it was fine. Where should I go next? Crank shaft position sensor? Im hoping I dont have to replace the hole distributor
Sunday, August 24th, 2008 AT 10:52 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

I would be re checking the ECU as a faulty crank or cam sensor should set a fault code, and re check the fuel pressure & flow, when it wont start as the problem my be intermittent.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, August 24th, 2008 AT 11:22 PM
Tiny
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  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the quick reply, I will recheck the ecu, the problem is intermittent and thats whats been makings this hard, ill replace somthing and it will fire up so I get excited and then it dosnt work again. But we left the fuel pressure gauge hooked up the hole time we worked on it and every time we tryed to crank it it would always hit 60 psi so im pretty sure its not the pump. Just not sure what in the ignition would work some times and somtimes not. I think in the morning ill try the crank staft posision sensor
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Monday, August 25th, 2008 AT 1:53 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

I agree, with fuel pressure like that your problem will be in the ignition and ore one of the sensors, re check for spark when its won't fire and see if you have a set fault code,

mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, August 25th, 2008 AT 2:00 AM
Tiny
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Also somthing that I couldnt find in the haynes, is there a good way to test the distributor without pulling it out?
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Monday, August 25th, 2008 AT 2:22 AM

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