HELP !!! 87 Suburban TBI

[Caan]

Help, I'm a newb. I guess this is my first big challenge on my 1987 Suburban 2500 4X4, 350TBI. I bought it 2 months ago. It had been running fine until a couple of weeks ago. It initially started right up, until I noticed on two occasions recently that it struggled to fire up. Then today it just quit. I thought maybe at first "Bad gas". I havn't ruled it out, but I don't think it's the gas. My friend told me over the phone it might be a clogged fuel filter. I thought this was easy enough for a beginner, so I changed the fuel filter and it still doesn't start. I also poured injector cleaner and Octane boost into the fuel tank and still won't start.

 The fuel pump appears to be good, because I can hear it when I turn the key without starting it. The battery is good. It basically sounds like it's flooded when I turn the key. But it doesn't make sense to me because isn't TBI basically fuel injection. What could the problem be? So far, the problem appears to be beyond any of my capabilities. I just don't have the knowledge to go any further by myself, much less tools.

I realize I may have to go to a mechanic, but any info and help would be greatly appreciated. When I tried to do a little research on the internet, I started seeing things like Wiring harnesses, EGI sensors that go hand in hand with the TBI. Can anyone give me any worse case scenarios.  If I end up needing a new TBI, Distributor, wires, or anything else can someone kind of advise me the best way to go about this. Should I just buy a brand new TBI.  and or a new Distributor, wires, sprk plugs or just brand new everything. I don't have a problem spending some money, and I don't want to take any short cuts. So I will spend what I have to.

Also I noticed in the    magazine the High Performance TBI. for $750.00 dollars. Is this worth the money. My long term plan is to hopefully pep the Burb up a little. I eventually would like to put a 4 inch lift on it, 35's, dual exhaust. Maybe headers. Are headers even a good idea on this kind of vehicle?

I could just really use some good sound advice......Thanks for your help.

[gwgdog66]

Make sure you have good spark going to the plugs. If it was running and just quit, and won't start now, i'd be inclined to think the ignition module in the distributor has gone out. Take the distributor cap and rotor off and you can see it. It is on the back side of the distributor. It looks like this.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Ignition-Control-Module-BWD_5240646-P_194_R%7CGRPTUNEAMS_____

[bake74]

     Defiantly check for spark, otherwise check to see if you are getting gas to the TBI, with more info, people on here can help you diagnose the problem.

[Caan]

Update.......

Ok, Real quick, Sorry I didn't give more info......I just don't have the knowledge quite yet to understand exactly what I would be looking for.

A friend of mine came over and we troubleshooted some things. The engine was not getting any spark. Fuel pump and filter are fine. My friend pulled the Ignition coil and replaced it with a new one. It still did not work.

Last night I bought a new Distributor, Cap and Rotor kit. My friend won't be able to put the new Distibutor in until next week.  So until then I am at a stand still.............Thanks for the advice and I'll update soon.

[ehjorten]

So if you are not getting any spark; start asking your self why?  You replaced the coil and that didn't work, you are going to replace the distributor to see if that works.  Is the distributor getting power from the truck?  Check the voltage at the distributor.  Is it 12+ volts?  If the distributor is getting good voltage then it is probably something in the distributor.  If it is not getting voltage then no amount of swapping distributor parts is going to make a difference.

[Caan]

If the distributor is not getting enough voltage, then what should I be checking next. Battery? Wiring? I think the battery is good. I havn't been having electric power problems that I know of.

Let me also add......My friend pulled out a spark plug and apparently it was not even sparking. Does this directly relate to the Distributor? I think that's how he explained it to me......sorry I wish I knew more.

[DnStClr]

The 87's were the 1st models to use a tbi fuel system- the fuel is controlled by the computer. Your best troubleshooting help is going to be an equus innova 3123. It's a code reader. cost- $30 at OReillys auto Parts.
The truck's computer will throw codes that you can read to help with troubleshooting, and it beats all the well- intentioned parts replacing you'd do in place of the code reader.
The reader hooks into the ALDL connector just under the left side of the dash. It comes with an instruction booklet that defines codes thrown by the computer.

When you turn the ignition key on, can you hear the fuel pump run? Listen for a humming sound from under the Suburban. 

Here's another current thread about getting codes to help determine engine perf.-
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,22135.0.html

[Irish_Alley]

dont want to be throwing a bunch of things at ya but like said check for 12v at the distributor with the key "on" if that checks good since you replaced the coil next is the ignition control module "I.C.M." in under the rotor. best way to test that is take it to a parts store and get them to test it. but even if it test good it can still be bad now the only thing is the pick-up coil and i think its hard to test them someone has to have a book on it and know what ohms its suppose to have. there is distributors on ebay that go for less then replacing all the parts its also on here but this internet is screwing up and i cant search for it someone will post it.

[frotosride]

When you are done with the spark issue and the old Burb is burning up the ozone with the rest of us, keep putting away the pennies because your fuel pump is next. As a newb you may not know this but when you can hear your fuel pump is when you should start thinking about replacing it before it leaves you stranded. Sorry to give you one more thing on your plate but you came to a good place to learn if thats what you wanted.

[Caan]

LOL!!!!! Fuel pump, wonderfull. Thanks for the tip. I will take this into consideration. My buddy is going to install the new Distributor  on Tuesday, Jan. 2nd. Hopefully this is the problem and it will be resolved.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions everyone. Hopefully, with the help of my friend we can assess everyones ideas of what the problem could be, and thoroughly check everything.

[Captkaos]

You should always be able to hear your fuel pump prime.

[Lt.Del]

Chris beat me to it.  I can hear my fuel pump on my 91 V2500 suburban and always have heard it for the six years i've owned it. still works fine.
I agree w/ Irish...control module needs replacing...been there done that.

[Caan]

 My friend installed the new Distributor yesterday, and I am happy to say it is running again. I appreciate the suggestions. I can see how this board will be helpful. If I have any more related problems I can probably refer back to the helpful insight and I recieved here and assess what else might need to check......Thanks everyone

Now on to other issues for now, later