97 Blazer up and quit!!!

I was driving on the freeway at about 55mph and without any warning at all, the Blazer just died. RPMs hit zero, no throttle. Just like I was sitting still only trying like hell to make it passed the Los Angeles rush hour traffic. The truck will crank and backfire through the throttle body but thats it. I towed it home and tried a process of elimination. After calling a few shops and a few auto parts places to get info, I started with Ignition. I changed the Pick-up coil, the ignition coil, the control module and the crankshaft adjustment sensor. I also tried fuel down the throat. Nothing seems to be working at this point.



Please Suggest!!!

I was driving on the freeway at about 55mph and without any warning at all, the Blazer just died. RPMs hit zero, no throttle. Just like I was sitting still only trying like hell to make it passed the Los Angeles rush hour traffic. The truck will crank and backfire through the throttle body but thats it. I towed it home and tried a process of elimination. After calling a few shops and a few auto parts places to get info, I started with Ignition. I changed the Pick-up coil, the ignition coil, the control module and the crankshaft adjustment sensor. I also tried fuel down the throat. Nothing seems to be working at this point.



Please Suggest!!!


Could be alot of things !!

But look down by the front of engine, where crank comes out and see if the crankshaft position sensor wire is connected. Sometimes a shorted Crank position sensor defect / short could cause the computer to be all fouled....creating unusual cylinder pressure i.e .backfiring.. ?

Did you do any work on it recently ? Did you change anything ?

Did it throw a SES light before it die.... ?

First of all, Thanx fror the reply!!

Six months ago, I drove this vehicle to Utah. 600 Miles. On the way there, I lost the pump on the front of the tranny and needless to say, I had to put a new tranny in it. At that time I just left the truck ewith family and just last week went back to pick it up. It run beautiful all the way home and for the week I had it here. Now this..

As for the crankshaft positioning sensor. I just changed it yesterday and made sure it was connected well. I did not get any unusual lights.




Could be alot of things !!

But look down by the front of engine, where crank comes out and see if the crankshaft position sensor wire is connected. Sometimes a shorted Crank position sensor defect / short could cause the computer to be all fouled....creating unusual cylinder pressure i.e .backfiring.. ?

Did you do any work on it recently ? Did you change anything ?

Did it throw a SES light before it die.... ?

Well, backfiring like that usually indicates electrical/spark issue... Check all your battery and alt cables..... Make sure that postive battery cable is not being pinched. (causing ground out) Check all your spark plug wires and your cap/rotor/coil (make sure connections are good)

The cap and rotor are about a year old but the truck sat for six months. Do you think the cap and rotor would cause the truck to die instead of running rough. Also, If I pull the wire from the coil and turn the engine over, I get spark. But if I pull a wire from a plug, NO SPARK>>>>

Someone said it could be the secondary ignition. Not allowing the current to pass the the distributor. Does this sound right and does anyone know how to check this?

Sounds like the 1997 ignition switch curse has hit again.

That or the fuel pump popped.

Maybe the switch but the fuel pump? I know they have been problematic but wouldn't the truck at least sputter some?

do a search for 1997 ignition switch and you will come up with numerous threads where that is the cause of the engine dying like that.

Also, do you hear the fuel pump priming when you turn the key to the first position before start?

I do hear the pump buzz when I turn the ignition for about 2 seconds. I took the lines off the back of the throttle body and turned the key and the fuel went everywhere. Whether or not it has enough pressure, that I don't know.

I do hear the pump buzz when I turn the ignition for about 2 seconds. I took the lines off the back of the throttle body and turned the key and the fuel went everywhere. Whether or not it has enough pressure, that I don't know.

Check the fuel pressure then.

rlith, you are the man.

It turned out to be the cap and rotor. I wish I would have started there in the first place. Well, we all can't be great mechanics. Luckily we have rlith, BlazerLT, and this forum.

rlith, you are the man.

It turned out to be the cap and rotor. I wish I would have started there in the first place. Well, we all can't be great mechanics. Luckily we have rlith, BlazerLT, and this forum.

Thanks for the kind words.

rlith, you are the man.

It turned out to be the cap and rotor. I wish I would have started there in the first place. Well, we all can't be great mechanics. Luckily we have rlith, BlazerLT, and this forum.


Good to hear it... At this point you might as well insure it doesn't come back and change out the plugs and wires while you're at it...(Add PCV and an air filter as well) General tune up parts... The key to a good running car is preventitive maintenance.

Yip, and throw a new fuel filter on it if it hasn't been done yet.