Truck Wont Start!

richcat04 · January 5, 2008

I drove 5 hrs from michigian to Ohio and parked my truck. I woke up in the morning and the truck wouldnt start. I figured it was just a frozen fuel line becuase it was about 5 degrees F outside.

Just today the temp has gone above freezing. I added dry gas this last night and tried starting the truck this morning with no luck.

It just cranks over but does not fire.

I'm trying determine if it is a fuel dilevery problem or a spark problem...

I'm going outside to spray starting fluid in and try starting... ill keep you guys updated!

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

minibike132 · January 5, 2008

What engine, I don't see it? Cap and rotor? If it has a distributor I'd go there big problem in the cold,I think I did 8 no starts with cap and rotor last week alone. Take em off check for moisture on the button.

richcat04 · January 5, 2008

Its a 4.3L Vortec... Im not sure if it has a cap and rotor or not. GOOD THINKIN THOUGH!...

I tried starting with starting fluid and nothing!!!!

I checked spark on cylinder one and it looked great, when i pulled the plug off it smelt like gas too.... If it was the cap or rotor I shouldnt be getting spark right??

If its not spark and not fuel what else could it be???

The check engine light is not on either

What engine, I don't see it? Cap and rotor? If it has a distributor I'd go there big problem in the cold,I think I did 8 no starts with cap and rotor last week alone. Take em off check for moisture on the button.

richcat04 · January 5, 2008

The truck didnt even get a hint of firing with the starting fluid.....

And the fuel pump sounded to be working just fine.

Has anyone heard of the Crank Position Sensors going bad on these things?

Its dark now but im going to try and check the cap/rotor tomorrow and each cyl for spark...

THANKS FOR THE HELP! KEEP IT COMMING!

minibike132 · January 6, 2008

Spark check is missleading. You can get spark on the wrong cylinder or not a hot enough one. Moisture in these caps is a big problem especially in very cold temps. Most of the time when that is the problem I can check spark and still get what looks like good spark at the plug.

richcat04 · January 6, 2008

My truck dosnt have a distributor ! So there goes that theroy..

The check engine light isnt on either... I have no more ideas besides checking each cycl for spark.

minibike132 · January 6, 2008

My truck dosnt have a distributor ! So there goes that theroy..

The check engine light isnt on either... I have no more ideas besides checking each cycl for spark.

If I understand you have an 03 Silverado with a 4.3? That motor does have a distributor.

dietz4ibanez · January 6, 2008

Is it flooded? I know you probably have fuel injection but I guess it wouldnt hurt to try pressing down the gas peddle like 1/2-3/4 the way down and than cranking it.

As for the crank positioning sensor I think that can take it off and take it to Auto Zone, they might be able to test it. I would call them to make sure. I think its the sensor on the right side of the throttle body(driver side). You can also have the module on the passenger side tested that is next to the ignition coil. I had mine tested.

You still have a cap and rotor though right at the back of the motor close to the firewall. I am wondering if your truck had a pickup module you can check that too.

minibike132 · January 6, 2008

I don't think GM has changed clear flood mode in years. Gas pedal to the floor with key off then key on and crank, that should put the injectors on min pulse flow and you have wide open throttle at the same time. I think looking for bad sensors is getting way ahead of the game though. Find that cap take it off look for moisture and eliminate a major no start in the cold cause for this vehicle before you get too far into it.

minibike132 · January 6, 2008

This is just my 2 cents though you did come to "ask the gm technician".

richcat04 · January 6, 2008

Thanks for the help guys! Ill look again for the distrutor again in the AM and try the Clear Flood method too!!

The plug was very wet with fuel and it may be flooded, ill keep you guys updated.

bowtie1976 · January 6, 2008

Thanks for the help guys! Ill look again for the distrutor again in the AM and try the Clear Flood method too!!

The plug was very wet with fuel and it may be flooded, ill keep you guys updated.

I had a similar problem turned out to be the pasloc system acting up I moved my tilt steering wheel up and down and disconnected the battery for a bit to reset everything and then it started right up. Just a thought

richcat04 · January 6, 2008

Ok I checked all the plugs for spark and they look good.

I did find the distributor, im going to check for mostiure like sparkstech suggested.

The flood clear hasnt worked and i tried dumping gas down the intake with no success of a fire...

Ill keep ya updated, thanks guys!

richcat04 · January 6, 2008

ok guys, i took the cap off and there was a little of condensation and moisture in there. The rotor didnt look all that great but the cap looked pretty good.

What do you recommend for removing mosture? should I get a new cap and rotor??