87 chevy wont start

[Sam71395]

Hi all, i just had something happen to my 87 today, i went and started it and it ran fine like its always done, then i go and turn the headlights on, the truck shut off immediately and wont start back up, it cranks fine but nothing happens. When i turn the key to run position the check engine light does not come on like it should and also none of my headlights work. I am guessing some sort of ground issue involving the ecm and headlight switch but i dont know for sure where the ground for either of them are, thanks in advance

 

[Ricko1966]

Hi all, i just had something happen to my 87 today, i went and started it and it ran fine like its always done, then i go and turn the headlights on, the truck shut off immediately and wont start back up, it cranks fine but nothing happens. When i turn the key to run position the check engine light does not come on like it should and also none of my headlights work. I am guessing some sort of ground issue involving the ecm and headlight switch but i dont know for sure where the ground for either of them are, thanks in advance

Make an inventory of everything that quit working. With any luck we can tie them all to one common circuit. There are 2 fusible links that connect to the starter,they provide 90 percent of the power in that truck,see if one looks or feels burnt. They burn inside their jacket so a bubbled jacket is an indicator of a bad one.

 

[Sam71395]

Make an inventory of everything that quit working. With any luck we can tie them all to one common circuit. There are 2 fusible links that connect to the starter,they provide 90 percent of the power in that truck,see if one looks or feels burnt. They burn inside their jacket so a bubbled jacket is an indicator of a bad one.

All other interior accessories work like power windows ,door locks, fan, the fasten seat belt and brake indicator also work and my gauges work too, i will check the fuseable links tomorrow

 

[Ricko1966]

Hi all, i just had something happen to my 87 today, i went and started it and it ran fine like its always done, then i go and turn the headlights on, the truck shut off immediately and wont start back up, it cranks fine but nothing happens. When i turn the key to run position the check engine light does not come on like it should and also none of my headlights work. I am guessing some sort of ground issue involving the ecm and headlight switch but i dont know for sure where the ground for either of them are, thanks in advance

Your headlights ground to the core support your ecm grounds inside the cab. Something is real puzzler.

 

[Sam71395]

Your headlights ground to the core support your ecm grounds inside the cab. Soothing is real puzzler.

Well for starters where is the ecm grounded in the cab.

 

[Ricko1966]

I'd look at the ecm fuses first,there are 2 of them,and they are much easier to get to. The ECM ground is behind the passenger side kick panel,follow the wires from the ecm you'll see it.It makes no sense to me,but that's where to find it.

 

[Sam71395]

I'd look at the ecm fuses first,there are 2 of them,and they are much easier to get to. The ECM ground is behind the passenger side kick panel,follow the wires from the ecm you'll see it.It makes no sense to me,but that's where to find it.

Ill do that tomorrow and I will double check all the under hood grounds also

 

[Sam71395]

I just got done checking all fuses and connections and all are is well with those, also a strange thing happened, I went to it this morning and it started right up like nothing happened, so while running, I turned the lights on and sure enough it quit again and will not restart , I am beginning to wonder if there is some sort of issue with the headlight switch.

 

[Sam71395]

I just got done checking all fuses and connections and all are is well with those, also a strange thing happened, I went to it this morning and it started right up like nothing happened, so while running, I turned the lights on and sure enough it quit again and will not restart , I am beginning to wonder if there is some sort of issue with the headlight switch.

just tested the light switch and that tested good, is there a way to test the ecm?

 

[Sam71395]

will i replaced both the ecm and the headlight switch and still no avail, I have checked all powers and grounds and no fuses are blown. is there anything else i can do, I am completely confused with the connection between the headlights and the computer. I will double check the fuseable links today but other then that I don't know what else to do, Please help

 

[Ricko1966]

Engine not running turn on the lights see what happens. Lights may be more current than a dirty battery terminal etc can carry. If the lights come on and stay on start wiggling wires and fusible links under hood,near the fuse panel wiggle the battery terminals. Watch for headlights to flicker or die.

 

[Sam71395]

ok I have some great news, I went and double checked and cleaned all of my power and grounds, cleaned the connections at the starter, that fortunately fixed my headlights issue, but still would not start, so I went and replaced the two ecm fuses with brand new fuses because i figured it cant hurt, and sure enough It fired right up, one or both of the fuses must have been bad, they were not popped but one or both of them must have been defective. Thank you Rick for the help and have a good thanksgiving

 

[Ricko1966]

ok I have some great news, I went and double checked and cleaned all of my power and grounds, cleaned the connections at the starter, that fortunately fixed my headlights issue, but still would not start, so I went and replaced the two ecm fuses with brand new fuses because i figured it cant hurt, and sure enough It fired right up, one or both of the fuses must have been bad, they were not popped but one or both of them must have been defective. Thank you Rick for the help and have a good thanksgiving

Check the injector harness make sure it's not shorting to the air cleaner. That will pop an ECM fuse.

 

[Sam71395]

Check the injector harness make sure it's not shorting to the air cleaner. That will pop an ECM fuse.

will do, thank you again