Troubleshooting my Chevy (1981) PickUp

ralphmorgan · 10-18-2004, 05:47 PM

Okay, I know some one out there has had this happen to them and probably paid big bucks to get their truck repaired. Here are the symptoms. I was driving along in my old P/U, going to the ranch to leave it there for this coming hunting season. As I approached a small town along the way I backed off the gas and the truck died. I tried to restart while the truch was still rolling but no luck. I pulled off the side of the road and raised the hood like I knew what I was doing. It appeared that I was not getting any spark (just by the sound as I tried to crank the engine). I pulled a spark plug wire and had my friend turn the engine over. No spark. I then pulled to module and took it to AutoZone (luckly right across the street). It tested good. I checked out the rotor and distributor cap and all looked good. Replaced the rotor anyway. No luck. When I replaced the module I coated the bottom side with the special grease to insure a good ground. Nothing. I pulled and checked the coil. Coil is good. I checked all the wires to and from the distributor to make sure none were frayed and grounding out. Can any one give me an idea as to what could be the problem? The distributor is one of the electronic ignitions used in the 1981 model chevys.

warrenp · 10-18-2004, 07:02 PM

it's called an HEI distributor
did you check the condensor?
it's a little round part. i donno if that would do it or not?

prolly just something had soem **** on it that needed to be clean off.

ralphmorgan · 10-23-2004, 07:47 PM

I replaced the distributor, has new module and condenser and also replaced the coil. New rotor and the d___ thing still doesn't have spark. I checked (with a test light) the battery wire, the input to the module, the output of the module, and every other wiring going and coming from the distributor. I got all positive readings. I checked the cap and found it clean inside, no cracks or excessive wear or build up on the terminals. I checked the contact from the coil to the rotor. All lines up and good connections made.

What else is there? What am I missing?

Anyone?

jjscerbo · 03-21-2007, 08:36 AM

Did you replace the cap? The HEI caps were notorious for cracking through the cap where the coil mounting screws go in.

75K30 · 03-21-2007, 08:54 AM

jjscerbo:
I see that you are new so first off welcome to the site, a couple of things. I like your enthusiasm for jumping in with help, your suggestions thus far are excellent, however, I am pretty sure this post is a closed one. This was originally posted back in 04. Stepping out here, but I am confident that the vehicle is running by now, or the owner has sold it.
Just maybe consider some up to date posts, or start a new one that is similar.
See you on the boards.....

10-18-2004, 05:47 PM	#1
ralphmorgan Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 8	Troubleshooting my Chevy (1981) PickUp Okay, I know some one out there has had this happen to them and probably paid big bucks to get their truck repaired. Here are the symptoms. I was driving along in my old P/U, going to the ranch to leave it there for this coming hunting season. As I approached a small town along the way I backed off the gas and the truck died. I tried to restart while the truch was still rolling but no luck. I pulled off the side of the road and raised the hood like I knew what I was doing. It appeared that I was not getting any spark (just by the sound as I tried to crank the engine). I pulled a spark plug wire and had my friend turn the engine over. No spark. I then pulled to module and took it to AutoZone (luckly right across the street). It tested good. I checked out the rotor and distributor cap and all looked good. Replaced the rotor anyway. No luck. When I replaced the module I coated the bottom side with the special grease to insure a good ground. Nothing. I pulled and checked the coil. Coil is good. I checked all the wires to and from the distributor to make sure none were frayed and grounding out. Can any one give me an idea as to what could be the problem? The distributor is one of the electronic ignitions used in the 1981 model chevys.

10-23-2004, 07:47 PM	#3
ralphmorgan Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 8	I replaced the distributor, has new module and condenser and also replaced the coil. New rotor and the d___ thing still doesn't have spark. I checked (with a test light) the battery wire, the input to the module, the output of the module, and every other wiring going and coming from the distributor. I got all positive readings. I checked the cap and found it clean inside, no cracks or excessive wear or build up on the terminals. I checked the contact from the coil to the rotor. All lines up and good connections made. What else is there? What am I missing? Anyone? Last edited by ralphmorgan; 10-23-2004 at 07:48 PM. Reason: Correction and added information

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10-18-2004, 07:02 PM	#2
warrenp Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: maine Posts: 49	it's called an HEI distributor did you check the condensor? it's a little round part. i donno if that would do it or not? prolly just something had soem **** on it that needed to be clean off.

03-21-2007, 08:36 AM	#4
jjscerbo Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2	Did you replace the cap? The HEI caps were notorious for cracking through the cap where the coil mounting screws go in.

03-21-2007, 08:54 AM	#5
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,627	jjscerbo: I see that you are new so first off welcome to the site, a couple of things. I like your enthusiasm for jumping in with help, your suggestions thus far are excellent, however, I am pretty sure this post is a closed one. This was originally posted back in 04. Stepping out here, but I am confident that the vehicle is running by now, or the owner has sold it. Just maybe consider some up to date posts, or start a new one that is similar. See you on the boards.....