2001 Blazer just died while doing 65 mph
 

So, I had a problem with a funny noise last week (kind of a whistling noise around 50 mph and would stop at 55 mph) (which the noise stopped). Now, I was a lunch today and could have sworn I saw white wispy smoke coming out of my steering column (such a small amount I was not sure if I saw it or not). Then, on my way home in heavy traffic doing 65 mph it just went dead! The battery light came on, I turned on my hazards and made it to the side of the road. It would not start back up. It turned over fine, just would not start. I tried to see if I could hear the fuel pump but traffic was so heavy that there was no way I could listen for it. So, I am thinking something electrical around my switch in my steering column, my fuel pump, or my timing belt. Any ideas:icon_shrug:? I do know I have a vacuum leak because air pours out of my vents when I am going up a steep hill.

2001 2wd Blazer

You can scratch the timing belt off your list.... it doesn't have one;)
If you saw magic smoke coming from the column, there might be a problem with the ignition switch. If this is something you want to diagnose & repair yourself, let us know when you have it in a safe place to work on it.

Yeah, I saw that about the timing! Since I couldn't get it home, a mechanic has it. I believe it is either the fuel pump or a short in the switch. I wish I could have made it home, I have a small shop where I usually work on my vehicles. I appreciate your post. If the price is too high at the mechanic, I will have it towed home and do it myself. I may need your help later! :)

No problem, keep us posted with what he finds.

I talked to my mechanic and he finally had a chance to look at it this afternoon. Says I am getting no spark and he is tracking it down. Also asked me if it had been hard to start because my battery was almost completely dead. I have not had a problem with it starting and had it on the charger about a month ago. He doesn't think it has anything to do with the whiff of smoke that came out of my steering column the same day it died. HMMM, any ideas?

Just one..... find a new tech ;)

aftermarket ignition coil burned out. I have learned the hard way about aftermarket parts for this Blazer :)

Take a close look at the coil power wire. I had an episode where I went thru a few coils in quick succession which turned out to be rubbed off insulation that would ground and kill the coil.