Shut off while driving, cranks no start

Tiny
USMARINE0905
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET 2500
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 340,000 MILES
Hello everyone.

Really could use some help with this one. My C2500 5.7 Vortec. 340,000 miles, I was driving home from work truck running perfect. Without notice the engine shuts down, I drift off the road and tried to restart. No go.
I cycled the key and did hear the fuel pump prime up, The pump is one year old. So the engine cranks but no start.
Well still no spark, compression is good. Replaced crank, hall(distributor), coil, and ignition module, rotor and cap. I replaced the ECM, on the L/S engine compartment. Pulled number One plug, rotated engine until mark lined up on timing cover with mark on Harmonic balancer. Pulled Dist. Cap and saw rotor is pointing to #1. I have 12 volts going to each sensor, and a good ground, I could not find the 5 volts at the sensors when key is in the "run" position. There are and were no "CEL" at anytime during the drive when it cut off and still there are none. I used a "GM Tech 2" scanner and no codes where present. I am thinking a jumped timing chain, thinking that would misaligned the crank sensor and the wheel, never sensing the timing spot on to firing the cylinders. I am lost with this one. Can anyone help out. Thanks in advance.
Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 8:46 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Wait, I'm sorry, I just reread your post. Are you saying that you've checked for sparks, like with a spark tester, and couldn't see anything? If not, and you think that there are absolutely no sparks coming from the engine, then get a spark tester and check it out. Here's the one that I use: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-20610-Inline-Spark-Tester/dp/B0002STSC6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501325755&sr=8-3&keywords=spark+tester

You can get it at the local auto parts shop, or save a few bucks and order from Amazon. Plug it in to the cap where one of the plug wires goes. Hook the plug wire up to the other side of it. And have someone turn the key. It should light up with each spark. Check all eight cylinders. Also check to see that the coil is putting out a spark by installing it in-line between the coil and distributor.

Again, let us know what you find. and we'll go from there.

Harry
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
USMARINE0905
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
@Heyman1104.
Thanks for that information, but I have done all of that. Starting fluid, no go. Fuel pressure is 60+ fuel pump is ac delco. No spark from anywhere. I am getting 12 volts to all components but no spark. As stated I have replaced all modules and sensors, cap rotor, distributor, with new sensor, and the computer
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,396 POSTS
You check for spark coming out of the coil right not the plug wire? It sounds like you have a wiring issue. but to be sure here is a guide and the engine wiring diagrams to help us get started:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Make sure you have power at the ENG1 and ECM1 fuses.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
USMARINE0905
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I honestly do not know what to say. I purchased a new distributor, aluminum not plastic, and reinstalled the same new components that I had previously used. WTH. It fired right up. SMDH. Scanned the truck ecm, and set timing, and reset some fuel injection specs. Running smoother than before. Again I have no idea why replacing the distributor with they aluminum instead of plastic made a difference but that’s what it was. Thanks to everyone that has helped and given me and input doing this problem.

Thanks
Usmarine0905
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Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,396 POSTS
Maybe it was a grounding issue. Good to hear you got it fixed, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help. BTW thank you for your service :)
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Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Well sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I meant to but you know how life can just come in and snack you around a bit. I was actually going to suggest going back and redoing the distributor and rechecking grounds to check for something you might've missed. Anyways, I'm glad to see that you got it worked out. Please come back any time.

And thank you for your service.
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Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 AT 9:03 PM

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