Truck won't start with spout connected.

[RonD]

I would just put a timing light on the engine and see what spark advance is when cranking with SPOUT and without SPOUT
Pull the fuel pump relay or fuse for the test, you want a no start

Because you have said "it acts like it wants to start with SPOUT connected" I am thinking its just got too much spark advance when cranking with SPOUT connected

 

[genhawk21]

I would just put a timing light on the engine and see what spark advance is when cranking with SPOUT and without SPOUT
Pull the fuel pump relay or fuse for the test, you want a no start

Because you have said "it acts like it wants to start with SPOUT connected" I am thinking its just got too much spark advance when cranking with SPOUT connected

I thought there was no timing adjustment on these, they're either timed or not? I was under the impression that in '93 only the 3.0 was adjustable. Or did you mean as a test to narrow down possible causes? In any case, I don't have a timing light anymore (since I haven't had anything with a distributor for a long time).

 

[RonD]

Yes, it reads like the computer is changing the spark timing on startup when it shouldn't

SPOUT is the spark advance for a running engine, it comes from the computer, and there should be no change in spark advance when cranking, should be base spark timing at 10-12deg BTDC
Running engine is 20-22deg BTDC, computer uses SPOUT to bump it up 10deg

Like Vacuum Advance did on a running engine when carb/intake had vacuum
10deg BTDC for startup
20deg BTDC running

Just looking for a cause of the no start

 

[genhawk21]

Probably the final update to this thread -- we fixed it but aren't sure how. Completed a new timing belt and crank sensor but the issue seemed to persist. It's possible that is what fixed it but we didn't test it thoroughly. The next day we wrapped up the wiring harness mess that was made during troubleshooting and in the process replaced the SPOUT connector w/jumper with a junkyard one, and reinstalled the "kill switch" to the SPOUT wire. Bottom line, it now starts and runs in any switch position and is fixed.

I can't explain it, it doesn't really make sense to me, but that's the situation. There was a lot of learning that happened along the way, so no regrets. Many thanks to everyone for the advice and ideas!

 

[RonD]

I knew it
It was the way you were holding your tongue when you turned the key, I just knew it

 

[genhawk21]

I knew it
It was the way you were holding your tongue when you turned the key, I just knew it

LOL Ron. I was going to make a tag for the jumper that said "SPOUT, SPOUT, take this thing out... this is the thing it will start without... come on... I'm talking to you..."

But only a certain generation of folks would get that joke.

 

[Snoranger]

LOL Ron. I was going to make a tag for the jumper that said "SPOUT, SPOUT, take this thing out... this is the thing it will start without... come on... I'm talking to you..."

But only a certain generation of folks would get that joke.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

LOL Ron. I was going to make a tag for the jumper that said "SPOUT, SPOUT, take this thing out... this is the thing it will start without... come on... I'm talking to you..."

But only a certain generation of folks would get that joke.

I'm singing to it, but my mind is drawing a blank.