guys, I'm at my wits end with this thing. I'm having an ignition problem with my 86 k5 blazer. Its a problem that's got progressively worse to the point that I cant drive it now. early on, it would just die at any speed and crank back up. lately its been dying on a regular basis, sometimes 1 within 50 miles to 3 times within one mile. Now I can crank it and it will run for a few minutes, idling fine and then just die instantly.I know it is not firing because I've put a spark tester into the plug wire right after it died and was not getting spark.I can let it set for a little while and it will crank back up. I've changed the ignition module, coil, cap, rotor, wires, and I've checked wires for a short and cant find one. I'm not sure what extent the computer module plays on it because there are 4 wires that run from the distributor to a "module" under dash on the passenger side.
the advance is vacuum operated though. any help would be appreciated.
thanks, Michael

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Michael
T.C. member # 758
ACES member # 4292

project>> 69 malibu convertible in pieces
>>----> love to bowhunt<----<<

Mike,
Have you checked the magnetic pickup in the distributor ? Disconnect the two wires that go from the pickup to the module and hook up an ohm meter. I forget exactly what the reading should be, but if you pull on the wires lightly and it changes or goes away, you have found the problem. I have seen a few of them go bad, including the one on my 85 Blazer.
The GM manual, or any good repair manual, should have a comprehensive troubleshooting procedure for your ignition system. It makes it easy to trace the problem without wasting a lot of time or money on unneeded parts.
Hope this helps,

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

Thanks BillK
I went back to my Haynes manual after reading your post and found the procedure, dont know why I didnt see it before.Hopefully I will be able to check that this weekend.
Michael

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Michael
T.C. member # 758
ACES member # 4292

project>> 69 malibu convertible in pieces
>>----> love to bowhunt<----<<

You might also want to check the small stranded wires in the dist that hook up to the module to see if there are any that are broken.

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Leo Paugh
Maryland Chevelle Club #017
A.C.E.S.#3731
progress has little to do with speed, but lots to do with direction.
Maryland Chevelle Club (http://www.clark.net/pub/chevelle/mcc.htm)

Those small wires inside that cap can give you fits. I'd just go ahead and remove the distributor from the truck so I could get a good, close look at all the wires, instead of trying to do it while laying over the top of the engine.

One other thing I forgot to mention; my dad had an Oldsmobile that did this exact same thing, and it turned out to be the ignition switch.

The resistance of the pickup coil is 500 to 1500 ohms. To take the electronic spark control out of the picture just jumper pins B to C on the four wire connector at the HEI side of the connector. I doubt that's the cause of the truck quiting. You can swap the HEI with an older unit and leave the four wire connector off, nothing will "screw up" the truck. I had the same problem with an old GMC truck that wouldn't start and it was the shaft inside the distributor.

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Never be afraid to try something new.
An amatuer built the Ark,
Professionals built the Titanic.
Team Chevelle Gold #33
ACES Member #02913

Thanks guys, with the holidays, I havnt been able to check anything yet. Randy, Im glad you mentioned the ignition switch because I was thinking that could also be a problem for the reason that, and this is hard to explain, when I turn the key, I feel I have to turn farther than I should and I have to put more pressure on it than I should, as if the rod that puts the switch in the off/acc/run/start position is out of adjustment or something? thanks for the replys guys and I will let you know when I find the problem.

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Michael
T.C. member # 758
ACES member # 4292

project>> 69 malibu convertible in pieces
>>----> love to bowhunt<----<<

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 69ragtop:
Thanks guys, with the holidays, I havnt been able to check anything yet. Randy, Im glad you mentioned the ignition switch because I was thinking that could also be a problem for the reason that, and this is hard to explain, when I turn the key, I feel I have to turn farther than I should and I have to put more pressure on it than I should, as if the off/acc/run/start position is out of adjustment or worn out? thanks for the replys guys and I will let you know when I find the problem.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

well, It looks like Randy was right on the money. I swaped out the ignition switch this weekend and have not experiencec any more ignition problems. thanks guys for all the recomendations.

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Michael
T.C. member # 758
ACES member # 4292

project&gt;&gt; 69 malibu convertible in pieces
&gt;&gt;----&gt; love to bowhunt&lt;----&lt;&lt;

I should be so lucky picking Lotto numbers!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif