My '98 Silverado won't start and idle sometimes.

CHRISLAUSCHER

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

My 1998 chevy silverado won't start and idle sometimes. It originally only acted up when it was raining outside, which led my to a ground problem. I cleaned all the grounds I could find ( even the main computer ground on the thermostat housing. I talked to some GM mechanics and they said the distributer was bad. I changed the entire dist. Assembly, but it still acted up. I then had the EGR valve changed and thought I had this problem licked, but it did the same start and stall thing it's done in the past. I see in the forum that I guess that my year of truck was prone to bad ignition switches. This I have not changed. Yet. Every mechanic I know is stumped. Buy the way. I've had my 350 vortec scanned several times now and the stalling problem never kicks out a code to my computer. PLEASE. I can't be the only guy in the world to have this problem, not to mention this is getting pretty expensive. Any ideas will be very appreciated.
Thanks. Chris

3 Replies

CARUNDELL

MECHANIC
602 POSTS

Hey Chris,
Yup, those models are prone to ignition switch failures. Are there any other indicators that it may be the ign switch, as in some lights on the dash don't illuminate, or you don't hear the fuel pump cycle on and off when you turn on the key or anything at all that is out of the ordinary when you cycle the key?

Regards,

Chris

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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:41 PM

CHRISLAUSCHER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, as a mater of fact, the interior lights are a little erratic at times, along with the door buzzer. Plus I forgot to mention in my original question. Along with the stalling problem, my truck 's idle has become strange. Now ( occasionally) the engine won't idle down, even when the engine is already up to operating temp. Usually at engine restart, then a few miles down the road I will feel a drop in engine RPM, a slight surge, then the idle RMP goes back to normal, around 600 rpm. I agree that the ignition switch should be my next change. What about a fuel problem. After a long sit ( 4 to 8 hrs.) The engine seems to cycle quite a bit before firing. Fuel rail not holding pressure, or still the possible ignition switch problem?
Thank you very much for responding.

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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:41 PM

GMX

MEMBER
37 POSTS

Ur whole problem could be just a fuel pump problem, u should check pressure first ( fuel pressure regulators are common so are pumps on these veh. Check presure 60 psi key on engine off. 55 psi veh. Running. Veh. Has to be above 55 or otherwise it will not start poppet valves won't open. Also check make sue it hold the pressure when veh. Is off. Should not drop fast it it does u could have a bad fuel pump check valve allowing fuel to return. Also it drops slow u could have a fuel pressure regulator problem.

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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 5:41 PM