I have a1981 chevy truck w/HEI ignition problems.?

Question

Ever so often when i hit a bump the truck dies & I cannot get it started.The last time I checked it ,it had power to the distributor but would not start then i jiggled the wires that hook up to the coil inside the distributor &it would start,but not this time. I put a new coil&rotorcap on it still doesnt start

Answer 1

CHANGE THE CONTROL MOD-GEL IN THE BASE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR THIS SHOULD FIX IT GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

GM High Energy Ignition ( HEI ) have had module problem in their history. BUT ...you said when you hit a bump....might be the Pick- Up Coil in the distributor...that's the little white looking thing that the distributor shaft goes down the center of. If you truck has lots of miles it may need a whole new distributor. Rebuilts are common and not that expensive and usually come with a pick up coil and module .

Answer 3

if your hei has 4 wires coming out of it take it out swap your new parts to a 3 wire hei & skip all the headaches associated with the 5 pin modules in the 4 wire distributors. just purchase a new hei & tell the parts counter guy that you need an hei distributor for a 76 chevy truck with a 350 and that will be a standard 3 wire hei. you also may need to return your cap as it may be clocked in a wierd position on the older base. but the coil will work.

Answer 4

There is a ground strap inside whre the coil sits inside the distributor cap. You may also try changing the piftail that leads into the coil. Check you ignition control module inside the distributor.

Answer 5

3 issues, gasoline, air, and spark. If the engine would not turn over on the starter, then you certainly've a battery difficulty with a lifeless battery. lifeless battery=no spark... ok, so fee the battery. make beneficial the connections are all wonderful vivid sparkling and tight. Then, pour a tablespoon of gasoline down the carb throat and supply it a whirl. it may turn over and it may fire on few cylinders from the gasoline vapor in the intake manifold, with a bit of luck long adequate to run the gasoline pump to get gasoline into the carb. If it would not proceed to run, attempt yet another table spoon of gasoline down the throat. you're able to be able to could repeat a number of circumstances till gasoline gets from the tank to the carb. What you're able to do is disconnect the gasoline line from the carb and direct it right into a can. Pull the middle cord from the spark coil out of the distributor. eliminate it thoroughly so there is not any unfastened end to make sparks. Then turn the engine over with the starter. regardless of if it somewhat is a mechanical pump which i think of it somewhat is, after a whilst, it may start up pumping gasoline. Mechanical pumps are self priming in the event that they are not broken. regardless of if it somewhat is an electric pump, all you desire do is turn on the ignition. you're able to hearken to the pump start up. hear for it. electric pumps are additionally self priming in the event that they are not in any different case broken. the main uncomplicated mode of failure is the rubber aspects contained in the pump, which cracks and develops an inner leak, so the pump action works, however the gasoline short circuits from the outlet returned into the inlet in the path of the cracked rubber and it does zip. examine the ignition aspects, factors, plugs, condenser. examine the distributor cap for cracks. The ignition won't artwork if there's a brilliant form of dirt in the works, isn't adjusted properly or in any different case fails to make a spark. Get a handbook so which you be attentive to exactly the thank you to do a minor track up for factors, plugs and such. a similar e book permit you be attentive to approximately timing, valve adjustment (if mandatory) and all the different belongings you're able to regulate now and returned. I actually have a 1968 Ford F-250, that's amazingly a similar immediately as you have, factors, plugs and condenser, all mechanical ignition, no laptop of any sort everywhere. the main state-of-the-paintings element on my truck is the smog administration that's composed of a PCV in the line which connects a valve conceal breather to the carb...

Answer 6

I had an 83 and the pickup coil in the base of the distributor would go out every few years.

Answer 7

the wires that go inside the dist I believe there are 2 may be broken right next to where they are connected may require carefull looking at may req, dist tear down if this is the problem.

Answer 8

i would check all wires going into dist. then i would check starter wires as i have had one ground out on exhaust causeing same prob. i thought it was wires to dist but found when i was messing around i had also been bumping the wire to the starter.

Answer 9

I hate to say this your truck is very old have you thought of replacing it. Auto Zone Pep Boys and advance auto will test that distributer for free.

Answer 10

check your starter connections, batter connections. tighteness of wiring block to fuse holder on fire wall. lastly your ignition switch located on side of steering colum.