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Dead in the road!


flagship202
08-28-2004, 08:14 PM
1997 4.3w auto trans. 4wd floor shift
So Im driving down the road about 60 miles from home and come up to a 4 way stop just as the engine dies.This has never happened before. Since Im stopped I put it in park to restart. Bad Move! Not only does the engine not start but now I cant take it out of park to push it off the road. So 1 1/2 hours later while Im handing the tow truck driver 160.00 Im wondering what the hell happened? Heres what Ive got. No spark, cant hear the fuel pump kick on,cant shift out of park,no turn signals,no gauges or ses light or check engine lamp. The engine does crank over ok. No daytime running lights, and my wallet seems to be lighter. Im thinking maybe an ignition switch possibly a fusible link. Im not sure. I sure could use some advice.Thanks in advance. Flagship 202

ps I also remembered that in the past Ive had to flip the ignition switch several time to get the starter to crank kinda like a sticking solenoid. but now I dont know.

GMMerlin
08-28-2004, 09:06 PM
Replace the ignition switch...seen many of those cause what you are describing

Trail Blazin 96
09-05-2004, 05:12 PM
could be the solenoid, or a bad alternator, causeing everthing to die, if it had enough power to try and start it will shortly drain

Mikado14
09-05-2004, 06:22 PM
OK, I don't see how a bad solenoid or a bad alternator could cause the wheel to stay locked and the shifter to remain in park. Go with what GMMerlin wrote. I have seen the ignition switch come apart where it does what you describe.

Rick Norwood
09-06-2004, 12:41 AM
Amen on the ignition switch. Replace the sucker!

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