Full Size K5 (1969-1991) GMT415 (1992-1994) Tech Discuss any and all full size K5 general tech topics here.

engine stalls irregularly

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-30-2009, 11:25 AM
yarinzim's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 244
yarinzim is on a distinguished road
Default engine stalls irregularly

hello everybody!
about a month ago my 90' K5 stalled while running. i tried to start it and it started with ease. an hour later it stalled again and started again with no problem at all. the problem disappeared for about a week and came back strong - i was driving, it stalled, i started it, it ran for a few seconds and stalled again, repeatedly. after a few times it refused to start. i had to give some time to cool down before i could start it again.
every other day the engine stalls, and when it's not, it runs perfectly.
i'm having trouble finding the cause to this mess - any help will be appreciated.

yarin.
 
  #2  
Old 04-30-2009, 11:55 AM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,141
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Any codes?

You could remove your coil and have it tested. Same for the ESC (electronic spark control) module.
 
  #3  
Old 04-30-2009, 12:22 PM
yarinzim's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 244
yarinzim is on a distinguished road
Default

last time i checked, no codes.
is there a particular way to test the coil and the ESC?
 
  #4  
Old 04-30-2009, 12:36 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,141
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Take them to your closest advance auto or autozone. They should have the proper analyzers to stress and test them.
 
  #5  
Old 04-30-2009, 01:03 PM
yarinzim's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 244
yarinzim is on a distinguished road
Default

thanks, i'll give it a try.
but let me get it straight - you're saying that a test with a multimeter is insufficient or unreliable?
 
  #6  
Old 04-30-2009, 01:31 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,141
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Most problems with these components surface when they are stressed (either by load, temperature, or a combination of the two). These two items would have to be in pretty bad shape for them to test bad using a multimeter.
 
  #7  
Old 05-24-2009, 09:00 AM
yarinzim's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 244
yarinzim is on a distinguished road
Default

it's been almost a month since i posted a message about my stalling problem. since then the truck ran beautifuly and never stalled, so i didn't replaced the ignition module and the coil like i was told to. last night the truck stalled at very low speed and started right back on. then i parked for a few minutes with my engine still running. then the rpm dropped significantly and came back to normal after a few seconds. and a minute later the engine stalled again.

i know i didn't replaced the parts i was asked to replace but i thought maybe this rpm thing might give you a new lead.

yarin.
 
  #8  
Old 05-24-2009, 01:54 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,141
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

It may be a result of a sticking IAC valve in the throttle body. I would remove and clean the throttle body, installing a new TB base gasket when you put it back on. Be careful with the fuel line connection at the back!
 
  #9  
Old 05-25-2009, 09:07 AM
yarinzim's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 244
yarinzim is on a distinguished road
Default

is there a way to check the IAC valve?
 
  #10  
Old 05-25-2009, 12:19 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,141
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

If you have the appropriate scan tool that is capable of bi-directional controls, yes. But start with removing the throttle body and cleaning it.
 


Quick Reply: engine stalls irregularly



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:41 PM.