Hi everyone, I'm looking at buying a 1991 pickup and I have a question, the current owner says it will start and run, and you can drive it with no issue but sometimes when you shut it off it won't start immediately after. Anyone have this problem before? Simple fix or should I stay away? Thanks!!

 

Very common problem: rough warm starts.

I have been chasing it for months.

Possible causes off the top of my head

• Bad coolant temp sensor
• Leaky cold start injector
• Faulty cold start injector time switch
• Leaky main injector(s)
• Leaky fuel pressure regulator (leaks fuel into intake) <- my next course of action
• Bad or heat soaked coil/ignitor/distributor
• Heat soaked intake air temp sensor
• Bad starter solenoid
• Bad starter
• Bad/incorrectly hooked up engine grounds
• Alternator wiring harness
• Bad head gasket

*gasps for air*

The engine doesn't turn over at all or it won't catch?

 

You have the 22re or 3.0? I know the 22re so it wouldn't bother me. The 3.0 guys could help you as well. Could be something as easy as a dirty fuel filter. When was the last tune up?

 

Thanks guys, after running it wont turn over or anything. It is the 3.0, sorry I should have mentioned that, last tune was probably quite awhile ago, might be a good place to start at least, before getting into the other issues that have been mentioned

 

The starter doesn't even crank?

 

No it apparently doesn't, just acts like the battery is stone dead. Seems pretty odd to me

 

I would try cleaning the contacts to the starter first, applying dielectric grease to them as well... and if that doesn't do anything...

Have someone turn the key while you *gently* tap the starter with something like a small pipe of PVC.

Sounds like an issue with your starter, easy peasy fix!

 

Perfect, thank you very much I will give that a try.

 

Cool let us know how it goes!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it's just a loose connection!

 

I don't know if replacing the starter contacts is "easy" (or peasy), but if you've got anything on the ball it's not a "stay away" at all. Removing the starter is probably the hardest part.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

The '91s have a starter relay, which you should be able to hear (it isn't very loud) when you turn the key. If that relay is the culprit, you don't need to remove the starter.

How do you know whether it's a bad starter, bad relay, loose connection, bad ignition switch ... without replacing all those parts needlessly? If you do any work on anything with electrons, you must have a multimeter. No excuse to not have one. http://www.harborfreight.com/7-funct...ter-98025.html