MTU 4 Wheelers

jrruethe · Tricycle Jockey Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Hello, my name is Joe Ruether, and while I am not actually a member of this club, I figured I might be able to call upon your knowledge.

The other day, while I was driving down the road, my engine just shut off, no funky gauge readings, no sputtering, it was as if I had turned the key off. Now the car wont start, and I am trying to get a feel as to what may be wrong.

It is a 1996 GMC Jimmy with ... 230,000 miles <- yea yea i know

Anyway, I know it is not the alternator, because it was turning over just fine, but not firing.

I don't think it is the ECU, because all the gauges and lights are functioning normally.

And, I don't think it is the fuel pump, because I can hear it "hum" when the key is turned on.

Therefore, I suspect it is either the fuel injector, or the distributor cap. Does this seem logical?
Are there any other component failures that would cause these symptoms? I read from a google search that something like a crankshaft position sensor could cause this...

I don't suppose anyone has one of those engine code checker things...

Anyway, I'm not sure if this kind of question is even appropriate for the email list, so if it is not, please say so.
If it is, and any more details are required, please ask.

Thank you in advance for any help.
-Joe Ruether

jrruethe · Tricycle Jockey Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Copied email responses:
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I'd bet on the fuel injector if it is one of the 4.3's with cpi, which i think it is. Where is the truck?

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The truck is in Wads upper lot 17, green and license plate KDH-900.

Are there any tests I can do to narrow down the problem?

TBair · "Chief 7 Bear" Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 627

spray some ether or carb cleaner down the throttle body, or even puor a little gas down it and crank it over, if it startes then dies right away its a fuel issue, if doesnt start then its a spark issue
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Hi, My name is TBair and I am addicted to NASCAR.

memphisrain · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject:

Junk it and buy a Ford.... Very Happy

Kidding, only kidding...

But seriously, do what Tbair suggests and get back to us with results if you want more help.

Jake
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"You're not afraid to be an asshole, are ya Jake?" -Mark Mathe

jrruethe · Tricycle Jockey Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Alright, I'll try that as soon as I can, and post the results.

Again, thanks for all your help! And yes, I will be junking this thing very soon, but hopefully it can at least get me home...

larboc · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

hog · GO-4 Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 192 Location: Calumet

96 up Vortec motors with the spider dist cap are also notorious for the cap and rotors just shittin out randomly. My 96 ext cab did that to me last fall. They act up or crap out mostly in cold, damp conditions from what I've seen.
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92 S-10 ext cab 4wd
89 GMC 4X4 new plow beast
46 Farmall H

typhoon1015 · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:05 am Post subject:

try getting a fuel pressure gauge and check what the line pressure is at the engine, there is a port you can screw a gauge into and check, should be around 50psi on the 96 vortecs, they are indeed a single spider injector

I would do what tbair said, he is a bit smarter than he puts out to us. hah

check fuses as always

spark could still be the issue, check condtion of cap and rotor and visual of plugs and wires?

these should keep you busy for a while.

jrruethe · Tricycle Jockey Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Ok I will try to check all these things today sometime, but my battery is dead because I drained it while trying to start it, so I need to take care of that first. ::sigh::

Once I get some juice in it, I'll put a little bit of gas in the throttle body and try starting it.

And all the fuses are good, I checked them all already.

Oh and if anyone feels ambitious and wants to take a look, I'm pretty much free all day (saturday). My cell is 320-293-6753

Thanks again for all the advice!

jrruethe · Tricycle Jockey Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Well, I tried doing some of those checks, but the battery is just too dead, and the car will barely turn over even while jump starting. I'll have to go find a battery charger and let it charge overnight.

One last question, just to ease my mind a little. I'm going off of memory here:

When it first died on the road, and we tried starting it immediately after, my friend said he saw a spark near the distributor while it was turning over, and smelled a little gas afterwards. Is it logical to assume, then, that the distributor cap is the culprit, and that the gas he smelled meant that the fuel injectors are working, but there just isnt any spark to ignite it?

If that is indeed the case, and the distributor needs to be replaced, what am I looking at for price wise?

Thanks again.

larboc · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

memphisrain · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject:

You can also try misting the area with a spray bottle of water. If there is an open wire, or crack in the distributor cap, you'll see some cool sparks and hear some crackling.

Just be easy with the misting, because you don't want to fry anything by adding too much water.

A cap and rotor should run about 20-30 bucks (change them together), unless you have one with the coil deal built in and then it will be a bit more

Jake
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"You're not afraid to be an asshole, are ya Jake?" -Mark Mathe

juks · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:52 pm Post subject:

just jam your hand in there while a freind cranks it

hiboy2 · Unicycle Pilot Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 54

Holy sh!t thatd hurt lol...