1994 GMC Safari No Start Partial Spark

GMC SAFARI
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SHANAP2406
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  • 3 POSTS
OK..I have a 1994 GMC Safari Minivan and for a while every one in a while it hesitated when it was getting started...but not all the time...just every once in a while...and then the other day it would not start at all...I replaced the distributor cap, button, coil wire and now the ignition module...but still nothing...my brother says it is getting fire to the coil, but only three spark plugs are getting fire...if that is possible.. He said it is getting gas and the fuel pump is working. I don't have a lot of money to keep buying parts that are not fixing it...so is there anything you can do to help...please. I need it fixed so I can get back to work...I donated some money so hopefully I get answered soon...thanks
Dec 30, 2006 at 6:14 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
I empathyze with your dilemma. Sometimes it is chaeper to take it to an independent repair shop and have them trouble shoot the problem, versus trying to "save" $. Try swapping a couple ignition wires that are not working with ones that are and see if the misfires change.
Dec 30, 2006 at 9:01 AM
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2CARPRO JACK
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,533 POSTS
Has the "pick-up coil" in the distributor been replaced?Cant think of too many things that give spark out of half the dist.Might want to have it scanned for trouble codes as well
Dec 30, 2006 at 11:52 PM
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Suggested Repair

Swap non-firing ignition wires with firing ones to see if the problem follows the wires. Check or replace the distributor pickup coil, scan for trouble codes, and consider professional diagnosis if those checks do not isolate the fault.

Conversation Summary

A 1994 GMC Safari began hesitating intermittently on startup and then would not start. The owner replaced the distributor cap, rotor, coil wire, and ignition module, but still has spark at the coil and only three spark plugs while fuel and the fuel pump appear to work. Experts suggested swapping ignition wires to see if the misfire follows them, checking the distributor pickup coil, scanning for trouble codes, and having a shop diagnose it rather than replacing more parts.

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