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I have a 1990 Chevy 4.3L V6 engine. It is installed with ...

Sent to Car Experts November 14, 2005 3:04 a.m.

I have a 1990 Chevy 4.3L V6 engine. It is installed with the MSD (multiple spark discharge) ignition system with MSD coil and a PRO-BILLET distributor.
The initial symptoms on the first day were; signs of engine missing and some lack o f power,however,the engine ran better after awhile. The next day the same symptoms except this time the engine was missing and had lack of power and when I drove up a hill the power tremendously decreased and engine finally failed. After which I could not start engine again. That night I checked for spark at the coil and distributor by removing one side of the plug wire between the two and there was spark however engine still won't start it just cranks over and seems to want to start but it doesn't. I checked for fuel in carb. and there is fuel coming into carb. The next day we tried again to start and it won't start just cranks over. I took the MSD IGNITION and COIL down to the auto parts store to test them and they both are working properly. I also changed the MAGNETIC PICK-UP within the distributor.Afterwhich we tried to start engine, but again, it just cranks over and seems to want to start but doesn't. We then checked the MSD COIL, between the distributor and coil, and there was no spark. We checked for spark between spark plugs and plug wire and there was no spark. Battery is VERY strong (NEW BATTERY.I cannot understand why it won't start. MSD COIL and MSD IGNITION SYSTEM are good and MAGNETIC-PICK-UP NEW, so why, do you think, it won't start? And why would there be no spark between the distributor and coil and between the spark-plugs and plug wire? I'm just blank as to what it could be.

I appreciate your time on this matter and your opinion and suggestions to my problem.

MAHALO, Dennis

Optional Information:
1990 Chevrolet 4.3L V6

Already Tried:
I mentioned it already in my explanation.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $25

Answer
November 14, 2005 7:10 a.m. (4 hours and 5 minutes later)

ACCEPTED

You say you had spark and now you don't.So you need to get the spark back first.See if the rotor turns when the engine is cranking if it doesn't you have a timing chain problem or a broken camshaft.If it does turn check for battery voltage on the positive side of the coil with the key on and while cranking.Then take a test tight and place it across the positive and negative sides of the coil connector.Crank the engine the light should flash.If it doesn't flash there is something wrong in the distributor if it does flash the coil is bad.This assumes all of your spark testing is stated accuratly.A coil or module can pass ano load test at the auto parts and still not perform when installed.I've been down that road before.

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Reply to Davo/diablo666
Sent November 14, 2005 7:26 a.m. (16 minutes and 38 seconds later)

So my basic problem you say is focused primarily with the coil or distributor? This has nothing to do with the ignition switch or the electrical fuses to the engine?
In the case of the rotor turning, we had turned the engine over when trying to position shaft to make room to replace magnetic-pick-up, so we know that the distributor rotor spins.
When you say to take a tester to the coil connectors, do you mean take a test LIGHT,not (tight) as you typed in, and see if light flashes?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Info Request
November 14, 2005 5:16 p.m. (9 hours and 49 minutes later)

Yes a test light sorry for the typo I was trying to answer you and had only a little time before leaving for work.As far as what the cause is the tests will narrow it down.Battery power at the coil will confirm the ignition switch being good or bad.

__________________
Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.

Davo -- Master technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 1860 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician

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