Intro and apologizing in advance

[agreiner]

Hi! Al, from Altoona, PA here. I finally got the go-ahead from my mom to fix up my dad's old truck. It's been sitting in the woods for about 10 years now, and hasn't run in two. It is an '87 v20, with 350 TBI. I tried to crank it up today, with a used Optima Yellow Top I picked up cheap at work (yes, it is fully charged and tests good.) Engine cranks, but...

Looks like there is some damage to some wiring due to rodents. The rodents were apparently cleared out by the snake whose skin I found when I opened the hood. At this point, I don't seem to have fuel pulsing like I should nor do I seem to have spark, as starting fluid does nothing.

I stumbled on this forum while researching wiring diagrams for the ignition system. Once I get it to start, I will be able to move it to a slightly better work area, as it is sitting in waist-high weeds right now. Unfortunately, no garage to work in, and no power to plug into, so no power tools or air compressor.

As for the apology, I'm sorry if it seems like I ask questions which have been asked before. This is, apparently, a pretty uncommon truck, and I don't want to mess it up any more than it already is.

 

[animal]

 

[Paladin]

Welcome from the Great State of TEXAS!!!

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I’d check for spark just to be safe, especially because it could be a weak spark, but it’s a safe assumption that you’re not getting either. A rat could have chewed a critical wire, but it could also be issues such as a bad ignition module, bad pickup coil, or bad distributor assembly. If any, more than likely the former since that has a hand in both spark and injector pulse. You can remove it and take it to Autozone to have it tested for free. If your SES light self-tests when you first turn the key, that’s a very promising sign. No need to apologize, though. It happens. It’s happened to me. They seem to love spark plug wires above anything else. Also check ground straps. Finally, they got my distributor 12V, but that’s a much easier target on a carbed vehicle. If you have any specific wiring questions, feel free to post them up with pictures, and we’ll try to see if we can knock it out.

 

[Charlie]

 

[agreiner]

I’d check for spark just to be safe, especially because it could be a weak spark, but it’s a safe assumption that you’re not getting either. A rat could have chewed a critical wire, but it could also be issues such as a bad ignition module, bad pickup coil, or bad distributor assembly. If any, more than likely the former since that has a hand in both spark and injector pulse. You can remove it and take it to Autozone to have it tested for free. If your SES light self-tests when you first turn the key, that’s a very promising sign. No need to apologize, though. It happens. It’s happened to me. They seem to love spark plug wires above anything else. Also check ground straps. Finally, they got my distributor 12V, but that’s a much easier target on a carbed vehicle. If you have any specific wiring questions, feel free to post them up with pictures, and we’ll try to see if we can knock it out.

Oh, there will be pics. In fact, I will take some tomorrow after work (I picked up a second job at Autozone for the winter, and stayed a bit longer than I wanted). Now that I know one of the disconnected wires goes to the ignition module, that seems a likely culprit.

 

[Rusty Nail]

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Yeah, that’s the first one I’d like to see.

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[donnieray]

Welcome and good luck. The members here are very helpful.

 

[agreiner]

As promised, pictures and some test results, posted in a new thread, here: http://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/truck-wont-start-after-sitting-for-years.22724/

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Derrick]

 

[78C10BigTen]

Welcome to the site. Nice to see another PA member!

 

[agreiner]

What part of pa?

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