1987 K10 - Engine Died on the Road

[lazyMlazyK]

Frustrating situation here - I've got a 1987 Chevy K10 TBI - died on the wife the other night home.  She'd already driven it 30 miles to the lake, parked for a few hours, then started coming home.  Got about 15 miles and the engine died at 65mph.  She coasted to a stop on the side of the road. Got it pulled to an approach.  It would crank, but not fire.  Came back the next day and it fired right up. I drove it another 8 or so miles and it died on me.  Pulled it home.  It will start and idle for about 10 minutes, then die.  When turning the key to acc, I can hear the fuel pump turn on sometimes, sometimes not.  Usually not if it has already idled then died.  The tank and pump were new about 8 years ago. New plugs and wires about 4 years ago. It's got a new fuel filter now, but that hasn't made a difference.  Should I start troubleshooting the fuel pump relay? What else should I look at? Does the ignition control module have any control over the fuel pump? It seems the fuel pump will prime reliably when it's cooler (around 50*F), and not always reliably when it's warmer (say, 85*F and above).

[VileZambonie]

Sounds like pickup coil or module issue. Rebuild the distributor or replace it.

[lazyMlazyK]

Thanks.  I've got a new distributor, ignition coil, and fuel pump relay being shipped in.  I'll post back if this fixed my issue.

[1980K20]

Fwiw before my rebuild the truck died in my driveway.  Only driven a few times. It was the pickup module inside the distributor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lazyMlazyK]

Thanks for the information.  I had a little time this morning, so I got the coolant temp sensor and the fuel pump relay replaced.  The ignition coil and the distributor are sitting in a box right now, just need the time to replace them.  On a 5.7L 350, cylinder 1 is driver side, front, right?  Need to find TDC on cylinder 1.

[lazyMlazyK]

I was talking to a contractor at work today about my pickup problems, and he says he thinks it's an O2 sensor or a filter that's become plugged from topping off the gas tank.  I don't know yet where to find an O2 sensor on this pickup, or the filter he's talking about.  Could anyone point me in the right direction?  This is a 5.7L 350.

Has anyone else had similar issues like in my original post from a faulty O2 sensor or one of the "mystery" filters my buddy was talking about?  I'm guessing he was talking about the charcoal evap can?  I'll have to check if I have one.

[bd]

Have you replaced the distributor and set the timing yet?  I agree with the others.  The symptoms imply a primary ignition problem.  And, yes, the #1 cylinder position is the driver's side front.  Be sure that the ESC is in bypass mode when setting the ignition timing.

Nonetheless, TBI fuel systems are very sensitive to fuel pressure.  The inline fuel filter (image) should be located inside the right frame rail, adjacent to the transmission.  Make sure the Viton o-rings are in good shape and properly installed when reassembling.

Does the Check Engine light illuminate while driving?  Are any trouble codes stored?  An O₂ sensor stalling the engine is unlikely.

[lazyMlazyK]

Thanks bd.  Haven't had time yet to do the distributor and set timing.  I'll have to do some digging into what the ESC is and how to get it into bypass mode.  It wasn't the fuel filter my buddy was talking about, I think it must have been the charcoal can filter I've seen a few pictures of here and there.

The check engine light does not illuminate while driving.  I don't have a code reader to read from this pickup.

[bd]

The evap canister filter is not serviceable on a 1987 TBI model and would not result in stalling the engine.

[JohnnyPopper]

You can pull codes by shorting the OBD plug. YouTube is your friend...

[JohnnyPopper]

Search this site for "paper clip"

[lazyMlazyK]

Well, I replaced the fuel pump relay and coolant temp sensor, but the issue prevailed.  My father in law helped me replace the distributor and the ignition coil, now it seems to run just fine! Figured I'd put an update here for those curious.

Sent from my SM-A526U using Tapatalk

[Shifty]

 

[JohnnyPopper]

VZ scores again!!!