4.3 Died- Need Help

digitalembrace · July 13, 2011

I still have my 04 chev 4.3 with 103,000K on it. New distributor cap and rotor button two months ago because of misfire. worked fine since. Anyway, today I went for the mail, ran fine. Went to pull away and it died. Tried to start again and it only turns over without any problem. Pulled coil wire from cap to check and yes it has a spark, but not bright blue. So I put about 2 oz of gas in throttle body and tried. Nothing. I do hear the fuel pump come on when I turn the key and then shut off shortly after pressure is up. I put a scanner on it and it shows no diagnostic codes or troubles. The mechanic showed me-rpms while turning over, the fuel valve was closed when I cranked it and noted that the timing did not advance while trying to start. He figures it may the ignition module, not advancing or allowing fuel. I did not think the coil would fire at all if the ignition module was gone. I had a 92 and a 98 that died the same way, but they had no spark at all and one was faulty coil and one was module. Anybody have an opinion for this one before I start buying parts. Thanks.

Well, my first assumption of the basics was correct. I paid $52 bucks + tax and changed the coil and it fired on first rotation and now runs well. Thanks for the suggestions.

Zembonez · July 13, 2011

The 4.3 in the GMT800 trucks had a problem with the AC line condensing and dripping on top of the cap. I had this happen twice on my 2001 before I figured out what was the issue. Replace the cap and rotor. Wrap the AC line that goes across the back of the engine to keep it from dripping and the problem will go away for good.

It worked like a champ on mine.