I have an 85 El Camino 8th digit in the vin is "H", it has the 4 barrel rochester and a 305 v8. it started about 8 months ago, but now wont fire up. battery is ok i replaced the ecm thinking it was that and it wasnt. i checked the four pong going to the distrbuter and i am not getting power to it. anybody got any hints for me i am stuck. if you need more info let me know.
checked fuses, checked ignition swicth, all ok i was told about an elctronic ignition control unit and to check that just dont know how to
i appreciate any and all help.

Check the pink wire in the two-wire connector going TO the distributor with the ignition in the run position for 12 volts. The 4-wire connector does not power the distributor. In fact the engine will run (not very smooth) with the 4-wire connector disconnected. If no voltage at the pink wire, then you will need to find the cause.

Doug

Look at the disy cap, If you have a Tach you will have 2 wires, check the wire going to the connection marked Batt for 12 v with ignition on.
If not:
Right next to it, on the drivers side of the block will be a 2 prong oil pressure switch, make sure its connected.

ok guys I will try that and keep you posted. I do not have a tach. And I tried the pink wire and I am no getting power to it.

ok guys I will try that and keep you posted. I do not have a tach. And I tried the pink wire and I am no getting power to it.

You can't fault the distributor with no ignition power to it. You mentioned a "elctronic ignition control", I know of no such animal, there is an Electronic Spark Timing (EST), the computer controls that for timing of ignition spark. There is the Electronic Spark Control (ESC), retards timing when detonation occurs. There is the Electronic Control Module (ECM), that is the computer. And there is a HEI module in the distributor. Suggest you check again for the 10amp fuse for ignition (ECM). And there is another constant 12 volt 10amp fuse for the ECM, (two fuses for the ECM).

Doug

There are many things powered by the ignition switch. Do the wipers, turn signals, etc work when the ign switch is on? The pink wire is ignition alright, and if no power is there, it still could be the switch.

chack coil, module in dist. or the connection between the metal tabs to the connector. from the coil that push down in dist. cap.

chack coil, module in dist. or the connection between the metal tabs to the connector. from the coil that push down in dist. cap.

None of those checks mean anything if the distributor is not getting ignition voltage.

Doug

Maybe ( a long shot) you could check the connector on the ignition switch, which is likely located on the steering column, top side, toward the firewall. Not easy to get to, but worth a try. Sometimes things work if the connector is un-plugged & plugged back in a few times to sort of clean the contacts.

There is a connector on the fire wall, under the brake booster, which sometimes gives problems. I believe there is a screw/bolt in the center of it, which holds it into the fuse block, which is of course, in the inside of the firewall. You might also make sure the screw is tight, which holds it in there. My '77 Elco had a problem there when it was new.

Hope some of this may help.......

Ok i will keep trying these suggestions

None of those checks mean anything if the distributor is not getting ignition voltage.

Doug

True, try this, run a wire from 12v in the fuse box to the Batt+ on the distributor. If it fires then you know its the wiring.

Well electricity is a beautiful thing, it has a start, and it has an and. Work your way from the battery to the plug that goes to the distributor, and use a circut tester, voltmeter, or even an automotive peanut bulb to see where the electrical current ends. If it doesn't end at the distributor input plug (which it won't, seeing as how that's the problem), you'll find out quickly and where the circut is open. Oh, and I'm assuming since you said "it doesn't fire up" you mean it will crank/turn over, but it won't run?

@ Diablo: Neat trick, I'll definitely keep this one in mind!

Hey thanks everyone I finally got her to start up. It ended up being a loose pink wire going to the distributor