97 QX4 problems

[abefroman]

I have a 97 QX4 with 165k. Died out on me a week ago. Found coil bad. Replaced distributor. Started and ran great. Next morning, would not start, and the battery was dead. Any thoughts? I am ok when it comes to mechanical, but electrical is usually over my head. Would be thankful for any help.

[EsotericImage]

not enough info for me to make a diagnosis..

how did it die?
just replaced coil and distrib?
theres a battery drain somewhere...

nice username... "The Sausage King of Chicago"

that made me lawl

[ARKQX33V6]

Hit and miss with info
Recharge the battery and verify with hydrometer. Then try a restart. No more than 3x, if no go check for fuel, air and spark, be sure all 3 are OK. Recharge battery while checking. Push throttle down 1/3 way and crank motor. Flooded?, catches somewhat? or nothing?

Need more info! Control and even main controller may be gone? When battery recharged what is voltage?

[abefroman]

When it originally died, every time I touched pedal it would bog down. then killed it and restarted. Ran fine, then died a mile or so later. Orginally thought fuel pump. found fuel pump working, no spark. checked coil, burnt. replaced distributor after 5 days of truck sitting. That is when found battery dead, figured it was something left on in truck, coupled with downturn in tempatures. Charged battery, replaced distributor, truck ran better than it had in a year. Started and stopped it 4-5 times, no problem. Next morning battery not dead, but low. No Spark again. Thinking relay, but not an "educated guess", just stabbing in the dark. Fuel pump still comes on, just cranks, rotor turns, no spark. Any thoughts would be great.

It had died at a stoplight 3 times in the month before this issue. Also had been getting bad gas mileage. Not sure if they are related but just the way it ran the night I replaced the distributor made me think they may be related.

The coil is in the distributor, that I am speaking of being burnt.

[ARKQX33V6]

Bad or low battery voltage will produce these problems. Recharge that battery to full then test it for full charge with a battery hydrometer. These are $10 and would be a great investment for you.

If the battery does recharge it needs to be verified via the hydrometer. Now test the battery for voltage at the terminals. After a recharge the voltage should be 12.5 and higher, let sit for an hour, don't operate a thing on the car and retest the battery voltage. It should be at least 12.5 or higher.

If battery is lower than 12.5 do an equalization charge on the battery at 2 minute intervals to try and revive the bad cell(s). Recheck with an hydrometer.

How old is that battery?
Do you care for it?
Battery maintenance done 2x a year will last 10 years in a 97QX4

[abefroman]

Battery is 1 year old. Will this still be a problem if the engine is cranking normally? I will charge and check, thank you.

[abefroman]

Fixed. The clip that sends 12vt to the distributor, has a lock that the button has to be pushed to lock into place, and did not lock. It made good enough contact to start a couple of times, but not on a regular basis. Pushed button, clip closed correctly, starts every time.

[EsotericImage]

glad thats over with! i was rackin my brain trying to figure out your puzzle