Hi I was wondering if you need a belt on the alternator to start a 3.4 to just make sure it will run. It will fire for me but won't stay running at all after that. I am about to pull the engine for a 3.4 swap I just want to make sure that everything is good on it before I pull the engine.
Thanks

Jordan

 

Really nobody knows whether the charging system has to be operational for the truck to stay running or not?

 

It will run off the battery power until that runs down. I know because my alt/SCer belt broke going down the highway and was able to drive that way till I got to the next exit.

 

Dang thanks mt goat. That's what I figured. So what could make it fire but not run? I don't have the power steering, or AC electrical connections plugged in either. The airbags were both popped.

 

Is the battery power good, like close to 12 volts? Maybe the starter runs the battery down too low to keep it running? Is the MAF connected up?

 

Battery is good. It had been sitting a while but it was over 12 volts and an optima too. Maf is hooked up but Airbox is removed as it was damaged. I didn't even look to see if the MAF was broken in the darkness last night. The starter sounded good and not like it was working the battery too hard but the truck fired right away but wouldn't sputter and die or anything it would just immediately cut off.

 

I worked on a guys rig the other day he thought it was battery problems but he had a spark plug wire disconected just a thought

 

I'm thinking its something to do with the airbag system going off that is preventing it from starting by cutting the fuel right after it fires. How can I bypass this? Thanks

 

is it auto or stick? you could hotwire the fuel pump. probly at the cor relay in the passenger side kickpanel i believe. Or maybe at the diagnostic port on the engine wire harness under the hood on the driverside of the intake manifold.

 

It's a stick. Yeah I guess that I could hotwire the pump. I didn't think of that.