1989 Chevy Suburban will turn over but won't start?

Question

Running great, stopped to buy gas, pulled back onto highway and it just quit. Turns over good. Haven't checked anything yet (it's still on the side of the road I hope). If it's not getting a spark what would I check? A friend said it was probably an electronic part in the distributor. I will pull a plug to check for a spark but after that I don't have a clue. Thanks

Great info, I'm on my way with some carb cleaner and a hammer plus some other simple tools. I'll post an update when I get back. Thank you all so much for the help.
If you are on your way the the Barber Motorsports Park for the bike races, I'll be the guy with the hood up by the Chevron station.

ps. I didn't put diesel in the tank, but I did once put gas in a diesel rabbit. That was not good.

Used a little starter fluid and it cranked and ran for almost exactly 10 mins. Died and wouldn't crank again. Lifted the distributor cap but couldn't move it enough to see much without removing wires which I did not do. Did pull the coil wire. If what it is connected to is the coil, then the coil had a lot of white powder on the connector the wire slips onto. I did sand some of the powder off but it didn't make any difference.

I have only worked on old VW's so none of this is familiar to me. The thing the coil wire is connected is a square black thing with smaller wires coming out the back side.

I am thinking I'll just get it towed since the road to the mechanics is too dangerous for an engine failure.

Thanks again to all that responded.

Answer 1

If it's turning over, that rules out a problem with the battery or the battery connections. I doubt it would be a sudden loss of compression in the engine, that usually comes on gradually until one day it won't start after days of hard starting. So that leaves spark, or fuel.

First, before you do anything else, call whatever law agency patrols that place where the Burbie is, and tell them it's not abandoned and you will be moving it, so it doesn't get towed.

Now, go out there, put the key in and just turn it on, not to start and listen. Did you hear the fuel pump run, and stop? If not you found your problem. Open the hood, look for a box which will contain master fuses and relays. It could be the relay. Read the legend, usually on the box lid to find the fuel relay. Pull it out, and look for another, perhaps the A/C relay that is exactly the same. Pull it and put it where the fuel relay was. Will it start now? If yes, drive it home and get another relay for the A/C.

If not, one more thing to try. Slide under, find the tank, and beat on the bottom of it. Preferably with a rubber hammer, but even your fist or a rock will do. Sometime the fuel pump will freeze up and a bit of vibration will knock it loose, don't dent up the tank of course, but use some degree of hostility on it. Try again. If it starts, take it in to get a new fuel pump, because that trick doesn't work long.

On the other hand, if the fuel is not the problem, it's spark and that system is a bit much for side of the road fixes.

Call the tow truck, and have them take it directly to your mechanic.

Answer 2

1989 Chevy Suburban

Answer 3

An addition to "oklatom", which by the way was a great answer.

If for some odd reason, it starts the first thing when you get there, you will have about 10 minutes before the ignition module heats back up and fails again.

Answer 4

if its not getting spark odd's are its the control module in the dist about a 35 to 55 buck part easy to change ad autozone will test it for you for free

Answer 5

may be fuel pump......they seem to act just as you stated.....be sure........open the air filter canister......spray an ounce of carburetor/fuel injection cleaner [ gum out ]....into the intake......get in your vehicle....depress the accelerator pedal to the floor.....then try to start...........should start then die....if so....check fuel filter,fuel pump.......if not.....it,s ignition...this is much more involved......testing can be expensive& time consuming......look for the obvious first......cap,rotor,wire,s, [ including primary circuit] plug,s,timing,etc.......hope this help,s.....good luck!

Answer 6

sounds like coil or ignighter..pull plug and see if it has a spark.[ lay it on metal block or frame, turn over]

Answer 7

U probably FILLED it up with DIESEL instead of GAS !! {or visa versa}