97 Tahoe Sputter Then No Start

**THECHIN29** · 01-01-2008, 03:35 AM

Heres the deal. Its a 97 Tahoes 2dr Sport with a 5.7. As I was driving one day, I was feeling a little sputter from the motor. Kinda like a misfire of some kind. Then it stopped. I thought it was bad gas or maybe some water in the tank so I added some cleaner and dry gas. The next day I go to start the truck, the motor was cranking and it locked up for a second, then started cranking again. It locks up here and there but would not start. I didnt get to mess with it, tried it a few days later and it started, but ran with a sputter again. I tried it tonite and it wont start. I still havent touched anything. Any ideas on where to start? A check list I should go by. Thanks...

**MrShorty** · 01-01-2008, 11:40 AM

Here's my "checklist" for no starts:

There are 4 things needed to start (assuming the starter motor is turning the engine over adequately): Air, Compression, Spark (at the right time), and fuel (in the right amount).

Because air and compression are not usually the problem, start with the other two:

Is it getting fuel? What is the fuel pressure? Are the spark plugs wet? Will it start on starting fluid or by squirting a little gas into the intake? Are the injectors "firing"?

Are the spark plugs firing? Multiple ways to check, I usually just start by putting my timing light on a spark plug wire and see if it fires.

**THECHIN29** · 01-01-2008, 12:44 PM

Would that also cause a sputter if it was not firing correctly?

**MrShorty** · 01-01-2008, 05:37 PM

Any of those things that can cause a no start can also cause sputters, misfires, coughs, or other driveability problems. It depends on the exact nature and timing of the fault.

**GaryL** · 01-02-2008, 11:35 AM

Someone else brought a similar problem up recently and it turned out to be the ignition control module. It happened to my S-10 Blazer about 8 or so years ago and was the igniton control module. It was an intermittant problem, so it was hard to pinpoint.

**Sooner** · 01-02-2008, 12:54 PM

My brother had the same problem last Sunday on his 97 Tahoe. It chugged initially and then wouldn't start at all. Immediately we suspected the fuel pump. I had him turn the key on while I listened back by the tank. No sound. One fuel pump, fuel filter, a few hours under the lift and we had it running again. We found out later that GM is having big problems with the fuel pumps on that model. Also, the new fuel pump came with a modified harness to fix a design flaw in the oem harness/fuel pump.