95 D1 intermittently not starting.

boxster

Well-known member
Jun 1, 2009
443
88
Fallbrook Ca.
I’ve had 95 for almost 2 years and every once in a while it decides not to start. It eventually does it sputters a bit and beats and bangs then smooths out.
It’ll crank but won’t fire. I can hear fuel pump run just won’t start. Plugs and wires need to be changed not sure how old they are. I’m guessing crank position sensor would be next. Anything else I’m missing?
Another idea is check the fuel pressure should be around 32psi, after turning off should hold pressure for many 10 minutes which says that fuel pump working correctly.
 

Jimmy

Well-known member
Apr 10, 2006
740
64
Aurora, CO
Another thought is the ignition module on distributor could also be failing at hot start up. Early GM HEI ignition system had this same problem. The fix was replace the module.
I suspect on a '95 D1 it's mounted to the radiator core support; that's where it is on my '94.
 

Frobisher

Well-known member
Dec 27, 2012
200
68
Pennsylvania
Having had several non-start issues over the years with my 95 (security system fail, bad transducer ring in the distributor, etc.), I’ve learned to start with the simple, cheap, and possibly obvious issues first. Sometimes, it really as simple as a loose plug that didn't get re-seated tightly.

In the end, the ignition system on these trucks is fairly simple. Tracking down the issue isn’t always quick, but it’s most often more time than money. This site and NAS-ROW are both full of so much collected wisdom of the ages, that any problem a 27 year old truck is having has probably been sorted out and listed here somewhere.

Hang in there, and you’ll find it. And then, you’ll know so much more about your truck.
 

best4x4

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2015
595
72
Beaumont, TX
Kinda like my experience over the weekend. I was driving my 97 XD home Friday evening and it seemed low on power on the way back from town, however a cold front was pushing thru so I took the lower power for a serious headwind. Well next day it burped and wanted to stall out completely when I got above 55MPH or whenever I gave it throttle. Had time to look it over today and I found a freaking torn up plastic bag in my airbox!!!! I'm not sure if due to the crazy wind out on the road I somehow managed to suck it up, or if an animal or bird wanted to make a nest, but all that poor running/surging was from the darn bag clogging my intake!
 

Frobisher

Well-known member
Dec 27, 2012
200
68
Pennsylvania
On the NAS 95 Discos (is that the proper title?), the ignition module and coil are side by side on the radiator wall, so the transducer wire from the distributor goes to the ignition module, then to the coil, then back to the distributor cap. The battery connects straight to the ig module as well, so figuring out where the break in the chain is can be sorted out with the test procedure in the RAVE. I had this issue, but it didn’t behave like what the PO seems to have.

A bag sucked into the air intake is exactly the simple (maybe weird) stuff I was talking about. Crazy!
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Another thought is the ignition module on distributor could also be failing at hot start up. Early GM HEI ignition system had this same problem. The fix was replace the module.
There’s actually a kit and a TSB about relocating the module to the coil bracket. Then a dummy module is bolted into the distributor that is really just a pass thru connector.
But before you go down that rabbit hole check for spark when it won’t start. Then go from there. You have no codes ?
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I suspect on a '95 D1 it's mounted to the radiator core support; that's where it is on my '94.
Your probably right. But I think that means it’s had the module relocation procedure done. Sometimes guys don’t realize that piece that’s installed in the distributor is just a pass thru to the relocated module. Then install another module in that location. Then it just won’t start ever.
 

best4x4

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2015
595
72
Beaumont, TX
Yep always take a look at the dizzy. Most mid to late 94's and all 95 D1 should have come from the factory with the newer remote amplifier setup, but LR has been known to toss parts on something just to get it out the door. Dead give away will be at the dizzy. If it's just 2 wires leaving the housing of the dizzy straight to a black plug = it's all located up by the PS reservoir and radiator. If you see what looks like the amplifier like Discostew said it could be the dummy module aka pass thru so then verify up at the PS reservoir and radiator for the actual ignition amplifier.
 
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mastercamper

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
934
20
Erwin TN

You might want to pay someone to do this. Just saying, I'd bet it just needs a tune-up. All this works on contacts. Periodically I would take off the cap and sand cap/rotor contact and points contacts.

I’ve never worked with points. I’ve got a friend that’s good with that older techno guy.
 

p m

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Apr 19, 2004
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I’m guessing crank position sensor would be next. Anything else I’m missing?
Replace the points, cap, rotor, condenser, and coil
Man, we sure covered a lot of ground between these two statements. A 95 doesn't have either points or a CkPS.

14CUX is ridiculously simple.
Ignition amplifiers are now cheap and plentiful - from $30 for a no-name to $50 for an OEM to $100 for Lucas, without any proof than one is better than another. They fail from heat frequently, and that's why LR relocated them in 95 from distributor to the radiator support (and sold relocation kits for owners of the vehicles that had amps on the distributor).
There is a super simple test you can do - shut off the hot engine, and try to restart it. If it fails, dump a bottle of cold water on the coil/ignition amplifier (assuming your high voltage leads have good and sealed boots). If the engine starts right away, either the amp or the coil are bad - amp more likely than the coil.
If you don't like the water idea, a can of compressed air should do the trick, too.

The reason I decided to chime in on that - the ignition amplifier failed in my son's 95 Classic exactly in the same manner, and I diagnosed it on the side of the road in the way I described. Fortunately, I had a replacement at hand.
After that, I figured I'd replace one in my 95 Classic - guess what... My gas mileage went from 10 to 14, and I no longer breathe the stinky shit that used to catch up with me whenever I slowed down or stopped.

All of this does not mean you don't have fueling problems (I knew that my son's truck had rock solid 35 psi on the rail), or broken coolant temperature sensor telling the ECU that it is colder than a witch's tit causing it to overfuel. A MAF sensor could also be bad, but its signal is ignored at a start-up.
 
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DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
Man, we sure covered a lot of ground between these two statements. A 95 doesn't have either points or a CkPS.
You got me. Just like Joe Biden, I did that. Not having worked on anything with a distributor for 30+ years, not doing my due diligence, and posting bored and semi drunk=you look stupid. I'll own that. That all said my post, at its core, was in the right direction. The symptoms he was describing were those of failure of ignition components due to heat.

I did apologize to the OP and I will now to the owners of this board. I understand posts like that don't reflect well.
 

p m

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You got me. Just like Joe Biden, I did that. Not having worked on anything with a distributor for 30+ years, not doing my due diligence, and posting bored and semi drunk=you look stupid. I'll own that. That all said my post, at its core, was in the right direction. The symptoms he was describing were those of failure of ignition components due to heat.

I did apologize to the OP and I will now to the owners of this board. I understand posts like that don't reflect well.
Oh come on dude. It isn't a big deal at all.
There were so many subtle changes over the years. I know that all I know about a D1 is entirely not applicable to a D2, and I know nothing about a D2.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
p m mentioned it’s either the coil or the amplifier when dumping cold water on the assembly.I put them both in.
A long time ago when these things were still covered by factory warranty, I went round and round with one of these. I put a amplifier in it and that didn’t fix it. Took the amplifier out and put the coil in it. That didn’t fix it. I put both the amplifier and the coil in it and that fixed it.
Ever since that experience I put both in right from the start. These coils are shit right out of the box. I know a guy who used to buy ford coils. He thought they were better. I believe him.
 
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Flyfish

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2004
1,402
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St. Louis
If the previous suggestions don’t solve it, take a quick look at the fuel pump harness for signs of damage. Happened on my 96 D1. Easy to unplug and look.

1D21F610-D55A-4DB6-8049-46C98762A9E7.jpeg
 

p m

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Apr 19, 2004
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If the previous suggestions don’t solve it, take a quick look at the fuel pump harness for signs of damage. Happened on my 96 D1. Easy to unplug and look.
These connectors are susceptible to corrosion - but it would manifest, typically, in low fuel pressure. I don't know if it would affect hot starting, though.
Took me four hours to find a bad one in someone else's 95 Classic on one scorching hot July afternoon in Yuma.
 

Flyfish

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2004
1,402
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St. Louis
Happened on my 96 D1.
Literally the exact issue happened on my D1. I’m just saying it’s worth a look if nothing else solved it. Could just be moisture underneath the dizzy cap or dirty plugs. Are all 8 getting spark at the plug?

Just easy stuff to check.
 
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DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
Oh come on dude. It isn't a big deal at all.
There were so many subtle changes over the years. I know that all I know about a D1 is entirely not applicable to a D2, and I know nothing about a D2.
It kind of is to me. People come here for advice. If they get bad advice why come back. I was bored and drinking and didn't do my due diligence. That won't happen again...... unless I get really bored and drunk.
 
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