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1997 Chevy Silverado truck will not start :(

Tiny
LAPUH61
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
Engine Performance problem
1997 Chevy Silverado V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 192k miles

hello again, I bought a '97 chevy silverado a few months ago and it has been running great till the other day, it was really hard to start, kinda sluggish but it would start, now it won't even start at all, the battery is good, it has spark, also had the fuel pressure checked, its 60 psi, yesterday we checked each sparkplug for spark also checked for commpression, all were good, the plugs were soaked with fuel, so since we have fuel pressure and the plugs were wet, plus you can here the pump woking, I doubt that its the pump. Does anyone think it might be the brain box (ecu) gone bad all of the sudden? Can you plz let me know what it might be. Plz
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Sunday, February 14th, 2010 AT 2:30 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I don't think the ECU is the problem. Chances are the MAF sensor needs cleaned or the temp sensor is bad. Has the check engine light come on?

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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Hi, the engine light has not come on, we did replace the crank module senosr (i believe its called), cost me $70 for nothing, why do you not think its the ECU? Also what does the MAF sensor stand for. Plz try to give me your best guess what my problem might be.I can't afford to keep putting in parts that are not fixing the problem, I can't even afford to have it towed so someone can hook it up to a computer, plz hurry back. Many many thx. Again what is the MAF sensor.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
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MAF is the Mass Air Flow Sensor
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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So looking at my previous questions, and the truck is getting a spark, what can anyone honestly say that it might be, ignition module possilbly? MAF, OR TEMP SENSOR< WHICH TEMP SENSOR? THANK YOU
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Since you have good spark, try cleaning the MAF sensor. They actually make a special cleaner for it.

I'm trying to go the cheapest way out. Honestly, without the check engine light, it becomes a guessing game.

Try that and let me know the outcome.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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Hey, thx I bought some of that cleaner last night, i'll use it today after work, I hope that fixes the problem, any other ideas, if this don't work? Many thanks once again for all your help.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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I cleaned the maf, like you said, still won't start :(. Have any better ideas. Plz. Thx
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I really thought that would take care of it. I reread everything we have discussed. You are getting fuel, spark. The only other things that would cause it not to run is low compression, timing, or since the plugs were wet, they could be fouled. Is the spark a good hot blue snapping spark? Have you checked timing or compression? If not and you need directions, let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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Hey thanks again for your time, yes we did check the compression, its good, we never checked the timing, the plugs were gas soaked when we checked for spark, we actually never checked for a nice blue spark, we kinda just turned the key real quick and saw it had spark so we turned off the key fast, maybe a a 2 second check, do you think the ignition module might have gone bad? I'll try to have someone check the timing and maybe get new plugs later this week, anything else you can think of? Thanks so much again. This is really frustrating :(
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It is frustrating. Let me know what you find out about the timing and keep in mind, if the plugs were soaked, they may be bad. Also, it could be the ignitionmodule, but recheck the spark. If it is too weak, it won't run. If you have a good spark plug around (even out of your lawn mower) you can compare its spark to the ones in the car.

Let me know what you find, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
PS: We'll figure it out. Don't get too frustrated.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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Morning. Thx again for replying back.I did get a new ignition module yesterday. Still not starting, we did get new platinum ac delco plugs, but have not put them in yet, if spark is too weak how do you improve that? New plugs? Anything else? About the timing, how can I ask my friend to check that? Don't you need the truck to run to check it? Do you think the timing chain jumped a tooth? You know when my friend checked for spark, he just had this little clip on tool that had two threaded screws pointing towards each other, we we turned the key it would spark in between the screws, should he have done it another way with the actual plugs? Sorry for being so stupid. Gotta run. Off to work, look forward to hearing back, have a great day!
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Please don't feel stupid. It can get frustrating. As far as the spark, it could be the plugs, ignition wires, it could be a weak coil. As far as the way your friend checked for spark, it is fine.

As far as timing, does he have a timing light? If so, hook it to the #1 plug wire and crank the engine. The light should flash everytime that cylender gets spark. The engine doesn't need to be running. As long as the starter engages and turns it over and it's getting spark it will work.

On the crank pulley, there is a mark. It should be near the TDC mark on the timing marks mounted to the timing chain cover every time the light flashes.

If you don't have a light, place the mark on TDC. Remove the distributor cap and check to see if the rotor is facing the #1 spark plug wire.

Let me know if you have other questions. Also, make sure the distributor cap and rotor are not corroded or worn.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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My friend will not be able to ck it out anymore till maybe this wkend. The auto parts store said it might be the (spider) fuel injector legs, one might have a leak or the unit is bad, its over $300 for that part, what do you think about it? Thans, sorry to bug you again
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If the timing is correct, it could be the spider.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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I'm having a mobile mechanic check it friday or sat, since I haven't been messing with it the past few days it cranked right up, but then seem to foul out and die I believe from gass overflow, who knows. We'll see what he says. Thanks again

mike
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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Hi, finally had a mobile mechanic come over to check my truck out, he had a better set up and gauges that my mech friend to check the fuel pressure, he thinks its the fuel pump, but also possibly the injector module, we are going with the pump first. Much cheaper, i'll let you know. Thx again for all your help

mike
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If the plugs were wet, and you are getting spark, either it's out of time or the spark is too weak to ignite the fuel.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
LAPUH61
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If the spark is weak, how do you fix that? Thx
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It could be many things that could cause it, plugs, bad wires, coil, crank sensor, ignition module. You need special equipment to check most.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:45 PM

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