Your opinions on my 97 S-10 - Having probs

V10Venom

V10Venom

Forum Member
Ok, so my girlfriend has a 1997 S-10 as her daily driver and it's starting to have problems. It started with going over 80 it'd downshift, all the lights would come on on the dash, and it'd feel like it was going to die, and it just kept slowing down. It then progressed from 80 to 70 to 60. Then it started acting perfectly fine after sitting for a week. Now it's starting again, except now it doesn't want to start. It will start perfectly fine, idle for a few seconds then you just watch the rpm's drop and it will stall out. It will do it a few times then run fine after it starts warming up. It will also rev itself up to stop from stalling now. Weird!! ANy advice?? I have a couple ideas like the fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, clogged intake, or something but I haven't really seen this problem before so please help out a noob with any advice. Thanks!!

BTW: We're trying to sell it and want to get it fixed before it sells. :angel:
 
Back pressure test for a plugged catalytic converter. If the problem is increasing with vehicle load it could be either that or a clogged fuel filter or fialing fuel pump. My assumption with the downshift is that the vehicle lacks power so driver applys more throttle to correct the issue. The increase in throttle is forcing the PCM to determine a 3-4 downshift. It could also be a defective TPS sensor with a short but it seems unlikely.
 
Where can I get that test done at?? That was my first thought was the clogged cat. My car is known for that problem so I know the symptoms of it.
 
Any reputable repair shop should have a backpressure tester. If your vehicle is less than 8yrs old and under 80,000 miles it is covered by a fedral emissions warranty. If thats the case take it to the dealer and get you converter replaced for free.

Sean


SolScuba said:
Where can I get that test done at?? That was my first thought was the clogged cat. My car is known for that problem so I know the symptoms of it.
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00sonolow said:
how much for the truck in its current state?

I'm a huge s-10 fan and dont mind working on them.
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We can't sell it for less than she owes on it, so we're asking $4,500 but we'll take $3,800 if offered. I think it may be sold anyways, as soon as we fix it.

V6, extended cab, 4wd, auto tranny, cai, flowmaster exhaust, runs great (until now)
 
mileage? Many GM ehicles of that year that I have heard had problems similiar to that have always been the fuel pump, almost like clockwork. For some reason that age of vehicle with a given mileage there is a history. More common if you run it to less than a 1/4 tank often. Probably ~90k miles I would guess?
 
fuel pumps go bad on those trucks all time we get about 1 a week through my work. Just so you know they are very expensive so make sure you know for sure first.

Are there any codes?
 
No, no codes...how would I know for sure it's the fuel pump?? I can swap a fuel pump and I can get them off ebay for $90. But I don't want to throw $90 out if that's not it.
 
You problem is not in the fuel pump. When was your last tune-Up?? Have a reputable mechanic check it out before you start throwing money at it. You might have to spend a little $$ to save a $$$$$. Why just put parts on it until you think it is fixed?? You will end up spending $$$$$ when all you might need to spend is $$.
 
Sean said:
Back pressure test for a plugged catalytic converter. If the problem is increasing with vehicle load it could be either that or a clogged fuel filter or fialing fuel pump. My assumption with the downshift is that the vehicle lacks power so driver applys more throttle to correct the issue. The increase in throttle is forcing the PCM to determine a 3-4 downshift. It could also be a defective TPS sensor with a short but it seems unlikely.
Click to expand...


X2 on the converters being plugged
 
Her dad thinks it's a sensor. It's temperamental. It stalls a lot when it goes into reverse, when it's cold, etc. Sometimes it runs perfectly fine. Doesn't any longer seem like a clogged cat to me. Fuel pump somewhat makes sense still but would it be on and off like that??
 
I believe in a sensor as well. Unplug the mass air flow sensor & drive it that way for a bit & see if your problem goes away. It will turn the check engine light on but will be ok. I have seen these go bad.
 
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