Chevy S10/GMC S15-Sonoma: Problems & Solutions

jp23 · March 2005

you may already have the answer, but i had a similar problem with my '98 s-10. it turned out to be the water pump. whenever the water pump goes out, the coolant comes out of a "weep hole" on the bottom of the water pump. you'll have to replace the water pump or it'll just keep leaking and the engine could possibly overheat

canufixit · March 2005

1.) Check your fit/gasket on your 3rd (cab top rear) brake light. Water may be leaking around it and flowing around the inside of the head liner to the front ...

2.) There is a Body seam at the top of the window corner post - both sides of the winshield. If it's not sealed, the water will drip in and hit the inside trim - then follow the trim down the inside to the dash or the floor ... Remove the inside trim - seal the seam and the inside window corner

canufixit · March 2005

This is a reach - but might help.

If the spark is now Ok - maybe it's the Gas .. Check the wiring to the Air Flow sensor .??

oldschool88 · March 2005

OK I have a 93 S-10 4X2 with the 2.8 V6. My engine shot craps but I found a great deal on a factory new (not a remanufactured) crate engine. This was actually an assembly line surplus engine as it came with everything from the AC compressor, alternator, PS, smog and water pumps, to the throttle body and injectors, every sensor, all the way down to plugs, wires and even oil in the crankcase. Every opening for coolant hoses, vacume lines etc. were sealed with plastic bungs and the whole thing had been properly preped for long term storage. Here lies my problem: After instalation, it starts just fine but the oil pressure pegs out imedeately and in looking at the rockers through the oil filler, they don't seem to be oiling at all. What could be the problem? Is it possible for the assembly lube to have hardened over time preventing oil flow through the lifters? What can I do without tearing the engine apart?

sitnphat · March 2005

i am lowering my 98 s-10 w/ the belltech 2/2 lowering kit w/ spindles. since the front is being lowered w/ spindles, and not messing w/ suspension at all, do i still need to put the sping isolator bushing in? it should still sit level w/o the bushing b/c i'm not lowering with coils..so why do i need the bushing, or do i even need the bushing? plz help! thanks!

joe3891 · March 2005

Check pressure with a mechanical gauge to make sure the relief valve isn't stuck. Are you saying you hear all the lifters clattering?

gmjon · March 2005

Thanks for your answer, Canufixit. I will most certainly try this as soon as the weather gets a little warmer. I'm afraid of the water freezing till then. GMJon

stenzyman · March 2005

my electrical just all of a sudden started going more and more crazier after i plugged my cell phone adapter in my 89 s10 cigerrette lighter and thats when it all started all of a sudden the next day whenever i would open the doors it would reset the stereo and reset the time and all stations when the indoor cab lights would turn on and then it just got worse now when i turn on the radio nothing comes up all i hear is the tone go up and down as i go faster and slower. then if that isn't bad enough when i turn off my car and shut the doors the light below the drivers side by the fuses stays on after the car is off and closed up i really need help i have no idea what happened and what it will need to get fixxed.

canufixit · March 2005

1st - I'd not rust the old oil prossure gauge - hook up another under the hood to double check ...

2nd - If the prossure is really "Pegged" (max pressure) - I'd say the oil pump is pumping just fine ... Where is the pressure being checked physically in the engine - right after the pump or after it goes through the crankshaft?? It does make a difference in the diagnosis ....

3rd - Pressure is the opposition to flow. The pump is just a "flow" making device. If you are truely max on pressure and the pressure sensor right at / after the pump - I'd say you have a blockage - check for a seal/storage plug you should have taken out but missed ...

From what you said - I'd say the oil is not returning to the pan (Blocked) and the flow is stopped- so you have max pressure .....

kycableguy · March 2005

check the fuses. My '91 did the same thing. I never thought to check the fuses first because of all the weird things. After taking my dash apart a friend comes up and suggests "check the fuses" and sure enough one was blown

canufixit · March 2005

You Know .... That's a great thought ...

I'd remove this fuse (and maybe all fuses ? - BUT be careful to check a body and shop manual/fuse distribution info. to ensure that you will not be "re-stting anything" on some of the fuse circuits ... )
I'd pull it , clean/check the contacts / fuse(s) and re seat ...

Also, Check the wiring diagram circuit for the Cigrarette ligher and see "what else" is on this Cigarette ligher fuse... Perhaps a bad/dirty contact in the fuse caused a high resistance in a from a dirty fuse contact and resulted in a supplied voltage dropped to everyything on this circuit... Could this have been caused by the "now needed" current draw of the Cell phone charger? Now if the Radio is on the fuse as well ... this might be a good solution ....

Also, Take a multi meter and check for the 24V in the cigarette lighter wires ....

Good Luck !!

stenzyman · March 2005

Ok i replaced the fuses and for some reason when i replaced the horn that was blown and the radio that did not appear to be blown the radio worked but then i replaced the one for the cab lights too but they still stayed on while the doors were all shut and i even checked all of the sensors on the doors and they all seemed to function correctly. So as a temporary situation i took out the bulbs but if you could think of any way i could fix em that'd be great.

kycableguy · March 2005

So everything is working again but the cab lights are staying on, right??? I think the fuse that blown on mine was the cig lighter, don't remember but it acted just like you described but the cab lights didn't change any. Have you checked the obvious? do you have a always on switch for your cab lights? I don't mean anything by asking, I have spent hours tracking things down only to have missed the obvious.

londog77 · March 2005

About 20 minutes ago my truck started experiencing problems. As I accelerate through gears the truck loses spurts of power. Say, I am in first gear...the RPM's will go from 700 to say 1800 and then the engine will suddenly drop off in power and almost sputter. If I keep constant pressure on the gas the power will drop off, then up again, and then drop off...this is random but always happens around 1800 - 2400 RPM. This is kinda hard to explain. These sputtering problems will happen through every gear. Then when I shut the motor off and turn it back on is starts ok but sometimes it dies...then it wont start...almost like its flooded, backfiring and not firing up...hopefully somebody can help. Please. Thanks.

canufixit · March 2005

Ok, This may be a long shot ....

It was running OK until 20 Min's ago .... hmmmm ...

When was the last time you filled up your gas tank ?? At a Station you always use ??

It almost sounds like you have water in the gas tank .... From your description, you have a Surging problem - that may just point to the fuel / delivery system.
As, from the way I ready your message, it seems to have OK power in between surges - I'd check for water in the gas first. If it's a little, Dry gas may fix it up until you run out the tank - otherwise I think the repair stations like to drop the tank and flush it all out.

If you suspect the Gas - a stop at the same station and asking if they had other customers with the same problem may (or may NOT) give you some help as well. The station may not want to fess up - but you could go the some of the nearest repair station approx 1 to 2 miles in circumfrence to the Gas station and aske the Mechanics !!! -- They'll tell you if they had a whole bunch of cars with water in their gas tanks recently ... (he'll be the one lighting the cuban with the 100 dollar bill!!!)

Caution here - IF you get straight water in the cylinders - water will not compress and your could do severe damage (blkow out a hole in the cylinder tops, bend a rod, etc. ...)

Good Luck!

londog77 · March 2005

I dont think it is water because I was torwards the end of the tank.

Well now I cant even get the truck to start...when I turn the key it will roll the motor over 3 or 4 times and then abrubtly stop for a second and then roll it over 3 or 4 more times ...and so on and so on. I dont know if this is normal when a motor doesn't start because it usaually started on the first turn...I absolutly cant afford to put this in the shop and now i cant even get to a shop. Any ideas would be helpful at this point. Thanks.

canufixit · March 2005

HI,

Sounds like you have bad luck ... I'm out of ideas - but have one more comment ... Remember Gas floats above the water and it will be at the tank bottom. But, if it has not been gassed up for a while - that sort of rules out Water ....

I Did know a guy that had similar problems. ONLY when the tank was mostly empty. .. - turns out some joker put a plastic sandwich baggie in his tank and it would get sucked into the fuel pick up filter in the tank!!!

If I can think of anything else - I'll be back and re-post ...

Good Luck !!

jim49230 · March 2005

well i have a 96 s10 and i am at 300000 miles the only thing i have really replaced or had problems with was ball joints and those take about 20 min to r/r i changed my first clutch at 220000 and i do have to say i drive her pretty hard and she still runs like a top. the only thong for me is i need a drivers seat and cant find one oh yea i wore tht out too. over all if its taken care of it should run for along time

berman · March 2005

I have a 2001 s10, ext cab, 4.3L Auto. Has anyone else noticed a problem when applying the brakes and hitting a bump (rough surface or pothole). If I apply the brakes and hit a bump of any kind, my truck doesn't slow down. It's like the wheel speed sensors go haywire and the ABS system doesn't know how to interpret the data.

cred4u · March 2005

I was told by the dealer that this is a common thing. Has something to do with the alternator, the way it functions. Anybody have a similiar problem. Thanks

jameyw · March 2005

1998 S-10 2.2L 4 cyl. I replaced the fuel pump after I thought it was bad. When I turn the key on, the pump does not run. I checked for 12V at the pump connector when I turned the key on and the was no voltage. After reading more in my service manual, they menttion an oil pressure switch that cuts power to the fuel pump when the oil pressure gets too low. The oil is fine so I suspect the switch has gone bad. The only problem is, I can't find this switch. Is it the same unit that controls the gauge on the dash? I don't think it is because there is only one wire but the wiring diagram shows it to be a 3 or 4 wire device. Any ideas?

canufixit · March 2005

Hi,

I'm not sure on my answer - so take what I say with this with caution, but I "Think" the following may be helpful ...

In my years with tinkering with engines ( pre 90's) I found the following to be true ...

The oil would go "Through" the crank shaft at the back - then exit out the front end of the shaft ... At this point the pressure gauge is sometimes placed - so it can indicate that the oil is making that far. IF you have bad Connecting rod to Crank bearings - or bad main bearings - the oil would leak out there and flow back into the oil pan. Lack of oil flow / volume equals lower proessure - so the sending unit, when placed at the engine front, would help to give an indication that the oil pump is working "AND" sufficent oil flow (i.e., bearings are not too bad) is making it through to the front of the crank. From the front of the engine - the oils then goes to the push rods, etc ....

So, ... I'd look for the sending units up and round the front od the engine ... Of couse I could be wasiting your time if you already looked there ... But I thought I'd try to help ...

alcan · March 2005

Check ECM B 20A fuse in underhood fuse block. If OK, check fuel pump relay in same block.

Document ID# 188830
1998 Chevrolet/Geo S10 Pickup - 2WD

Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit Diagnosis

Circuit Description
When the ignition is turned ON, the powertrain control module (PCM) turns ON the in-tank fuel pump. The pump will remain ON as long as the PCM is receiving ignition reference pulses from the electronic ignition control module (ICM). If there are no reference pulses, the PCM will shut OFF the fuel pump about 2-3 seconds after the ignition is turned ON, about 10 seconds after the reference pulses stop.

The fuel pump delivers fuel to the fuel rail and fuel injectors, then to the fuel pressure regulator, where the system pressure is controlled to 283-324 kPa (41-47 psi) with no manifold vacuum or 214-303 kPa (31-44 psi) at idle. Excess fuel is then returned to the fuel tank.

Improper Fuel System pressure will result in one or all of the following symptoms:

Cranks But Will Not Run
DTC P0171
DTC P0172
DTC P1171
DTC P0300
Cuts out, may feel like an ignition problem
Poor fuel economy, loss of power
Hesitation

Diagnostic Aids
An intermittent may be caused by a poor connection, rubbed through wire insulation or a wire broken inside the insulation. Check for a poor connection or damaged harness. Inspect the PCM harness and connectors for the following items:

Improper mating
Broken locks
Improperly formed or damaged terminals
Poor terminal to wire connections
Damaged harnesses

joe3891 · March 2005

No oil pressure switch in system, power goes from pump relay to a connection where the power also goes to power the injectors. Between the pump relay and the pump is only one connection that goes to the injectors, if power out of pump relay I would check that next.

bone4 · March 2005

Please help me. I have a 99 s-10 4.3 4x4. Ok i have a couple of things happening i had my fuel pump replaced not to long ago. Well my fuel lines makes a noise like a water hose thats kinked. Its the loudest right at the gas tank. you can grab them and feel it. Ok now even before i replaced the fuel pump it seems to sputter when im driving around 55 and go up a hill it wants to sputter but when i give it more gas it goes away. well when im at a red light it well idle funny sometimes its like the compressor kicks on and goes of but this is not the case. I have no check engine light on and no codes! one more thing when i go up a steep hill it makes a crazy noise like a piece of metal rattling. But it has no power but i just give it more gas it goes. It seems to make the noise also when i turn the truck left hard!! Please help me i cant pinpoint this problem thanks alot!!!

canufixit · March 2005

Boy, That's a lot in one paragraph ....

I'd first try to see if you have more than one problem .... Something like Fuel and/or timing (Knock) and or other Drive train Mechanical ...

I'd start with the mechanical .. Having metalic noises when under load or in turning - may be the front wheel bearings or front u-joints or Main shaft u joints.
Try driving on a flat surface/road in 2WD , keeping a constant speed and weave left right and see if you hear the noise - if so, I'd be concerned with the front wheel bearings / joints in front wheel drive shafts ... (My first guess would be a wheel bearing on an S10)

Then going up constant incline hill (in 2WD) - driving straight - try various amounts of gas pedal. If you get the metallic noise there under light acceletation/load I'd check for Knock (Timing - but you should get a code for this) - Also, I'd check the Main drive shaft U joints.

If the above is inconclusive - I'd have a shop check for fuel pressue and flow ...
Good luck !!

bone4 · March 2005

hey canufixit,

I had a shop check it one day and i believe it was like 55 it was not 60 well when we turned off the truck it rose up to 60 or above!!!?? This fuel promblem has me the most puzzled. If i can fix it then i can see if it has something to do with my sputtering and going up a hill sputter!! But i can hear the gas going through the hoses at my gas tank from inside the cab!! thats not normal is it? i mean it just like a kinked water hose! you know when a water hose gets kinked how it will have a pulse! but its loud!! Thanks for the help.

draggn66 · March 2005

I have a 96 4WD 4 door S10 Blazer with a 4.3 engine and auto transmission. The trans has started making a whining sound when it's in gear. In neutral the is no noise. I've check the fluid level in the tranny and it was a little low so I added some. I went to check the fluid level in the transfer case and when I removed the top plug about 3 qts. drained out. That's way too much according to anything I've read. The tranny works fine with no slipping but the noise is very noticeable. Any ideas? TIA.....Randy

hillbilly · March 2005

This is just a suggestion, I don't know if it warrants a serious consideration, but is there a chance it could be the fuel filter. How often do you run your tank down low? Do you drive on dirt roads alot so that you might acquire dirt in the tank. Just an idea. Another thing to check might be the fuel pump, but that is usually either works fine or not at all. Good luck.

mikeys10 · March 2005

Have you check the EGR valve, it sounds it stuck
open. Find the egr valve and apply vaccumn one or twice. It should close. Or replace it. just a suggestion.

canufixit · March 2005

Wellll .... To my knowledge (and I use that term loosely);
- The pump, when energized, will always pump to best Flow possible. If demand is met to the engine, then needed flow is then not needed/reduced and pressure goes up - and then a relief valve opens up and dumps the unneeded fuel back to the tank. There is bound to be "some" noise in this arrangement - and I have heard that some pumps are WAY more noisy than others ... What's the spec for min pressure for the Pump ?? Although it's noisy - if it meets the Flow / min pressures - and although it is way too noisy, - I'd start looking somewhere else. Some one else in this Forum mentioned changing the fuel filter - that's quick and cheap to do if you hav not already ... Also someone said the EGR Valve should be checked as well ...
Anyone else here have better/more corrrect inputs - I just can't think of anything else at the moment ...
Good Luck !!

canufixit · March 2005

HI,

I take it you have already ruled out the Rear end ?? These can get noisy when the Pinion pre-load is not exactly correct .... ???

jae5 · March 2005

As kycableguy mentioned, usually on a GM product the horn and the cig. lighter are hooked to the same fuse. If your horn doesn't work and the fuse is blown, more than likely the cig. lighter doesn't work either. This is usually caused by dirt build up in the cig lighter hole. Clean it out, then replace the lighter.

If the door/cab lights are staying on, could be a short to ground. Assuming you have a wiring diagram, you can trace the path of the wires, see if any other wires are coming into contact or if the cab light wires are chaffed, touching a metal component. Also, with the door open, did you push in the little plunger, and if so, did the light go off?

And as previously stated, I would check the switch. You may have bumped or turned it all the way on and forgot, causing the lights to stay on all the time.

thebandit180 · March 2005

i have the same problem with my 98zr2 and have had i checked but everyone thinks im crazy.
its done it for about a year now but i keep rollin

let me ask you, if u turn the ac on does it make it worse?

yevy · March 2005

I seem to have the same problem with my 99 Blazer (same engine). It feels like the tranny slips out of gear and the engine revs up briefly, but the vehicle loses it ability to slow down. Let me know if you get a reply that explains this.

draggn66 · March 2005

Thanks for the reply. But without sounding like a dummy....if it was the rear end wouldn't it continue to make noise when I put the tranny in neutral while I'm rolling? Also...is there a seal that must have failed to allow tranny fluid to go from the tranny to the transfer case? TIA....Randy

bone4 · March 2005

i have not had the truck really all that long but i dont believe it gets worse when the air is on. What is your doing just losing power when you go up a hill? Or when you give it gas it takes a sec for it to respond! When im at a stop and i floor mine it sputters and finally goes!!!!

thebandit180 · March 2005

When i accellerate from a dead stop about half way through the first gear it will loose rpm and then surge ahead almost as if something is binding.I had the tranny rebuilt 2 years ago and i have had it checked twice since and no one can find a problem. Also if i am running at highway speed let off the gas and then back into it it will do the same thing. At first i thought the overdrive might not be locking properly but i had that checked too. No dice. I really think it has something to do with the motor because when i run the ac it makes the problem much worse.

thebandit180 · March 2005

I have a 98 zr2 and I was told one of the motor mounts needs to be replaced. Is this expensive?
Also, according to the Haynes book there are only two mounts. Is this correct?

bone4 · March 2005

mine will idle funny at stop signs. but i dont recall my air makeing it worse. mine does the same thing mine will not spin a tire though which it may not anyway but it will just bog down!!!! then when im at like 55 and go up a hill it starts kinda shakeing!!! i honestly think something is in the injectors or something!! but im no mechanic. I think its something to do with my fuel some way!!

bone4 · March 2005

YOu may no this but when you run you ac your using more gas! well it should lower your rpms whenyou do have the compressor on. so that may be why!!

mikeys10 · March 2005

I think the most common answer from the dealer when they don't know why or what. They don't know. Today vehicles have onboard computer that will monitor everything. If your have a voltage fluxuation, it is not right. Check if other items are doing to same thing. if so possible alternator. If not could be bad harness connection at that components. The fact remains its not right. If its under wartity they must fix it.

mikeys10 · March 2005

There is a device that can be plug into the computer prom. It cost about $135 at Autozone and must have some car smarts, it will monitor 5 or more functions. This small computer plug in and down load on your home computer and can determine what is wrong. but it sounds you might have a cloged fuel filter. does it buck some? Todays engines are computer control. They all have ECM's Engine Control Module.

mikeys10 · March 2005

It sounds like you have a major fuel system problem. Your line should not be moving. Thats shotty workmenship, take it back , most fuel pump are in the tank which require to drop the tank. If your using bargan gas stop. start using top grade. thats your noise. Have the mechanic check fuel pressure to thottle body ejector. Your S10 has a ECM also the technician can hook up the prom to monitor the fuel system. Use different mechanics for specialize items. For tuff things the dealer shop is sometime best.

crzdjimmy · March 2005

I HAVE A 99 GMC JIMMY THAT DID THE SAME THING FUEL PUMP WENT OUT THEN NOT TOO LONG AFTER STARTED SPUTTERING AT LIGHTS AND IN DRIVE THRUS. I HAD THREE PLACES CHECK IT OUT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND FOR CERTAIN. SO I PULLED IT APART MY SELF AND FOUND THAT THE BACK THREE CYLINDERS WERE STARTING TO GET WASHED OUT BY EXCESS FUEL. PROBLEM FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR!!!!!!!!! WHAT A LITLLE PAIN IN THE [non-permissible content removed]. IT IS VERY INEXPENSIVE AND NOT TO TIME CONSUMING TO FIX JUST A FEW OURS OR SO. WHILE YOUR IN THERE FLUSH THE INJECTORS ALSO. THOSE ARE A HUGE PROBLEM ON THESE CARS!!!!!

wowolfol · March 2005

Right now, the owner of the company I work for is selling his 'old' 99 S-10 because he bought a new [luxury] car recently. The damn thing only has 27k miles (used to drive to and from work... about 8 miles each way) and the only mainenance needed has been a new alternator... although the driver's side recliner handle snapped off as many people here have had the same problem (how retarded). Anyway, he's willing to sell it for $5500 to me, being as how I'm his employee and I'm just that cool.

Should I take the deal?

badass10 · March 2005

start with the basic i guess, 99 2.2L 73k, no problems with the damn thing, till now, Something in the motor makes a noise i've never heard and i've worked on motors before, almost sounds like a bearing, it only happends when rpms are about 1k to 2.5k taking off or crusin at 40 and the tranny shifts down to that range. I've changed the belt tentioner 6 monts ago,alt 1 year ago and i need some help please, motor is running fine, sound is comming from from to left side of the engine, Guys if anyone could help that would be great..........thanks for your time............
Mike

bjynnis · March 2005

1990 chevy s-10 pu has to idle at least a half an hour before drivabilty replaced fule filter, idle air control valuve, pulled gas tank, new sock, cleaned tank operated fule pump manualy pressure past thumb, all seems ok but brake fule lines after an hour of not running no pressure in lines.

kinkbikeco · March 2005

Mike I have the same problems, very similar, i have a 2002 with 80,000(mostly highway). My gas gage does play around just like yours, it will read half full then 5 minutes later it could ready empty. The 4wd (4hi) is whats really worrying me tho. the same thing also is happening to me, it's not engaging all the time and it seems to be getting worse, meaning it's not engaging at all in 4 hi. I am planning on lifting my truck in 2 months and this is a big deal. If i find anything on the internet about how to solve this i will let you know, but i am going to tear open my transfer case either tomorrow or monday and have a good look at whats going on. i know alot of mechanics and i'm in the field of mechanical engineering. I will get to the bottom of this and let you know. In the mean time ( when u say transfer case control module) thats a computer chip or gears?

kinkbikeco · March 2005

chances are , you need new window/door trim . i say this b/c of your phrase "air leak" i know your trim is pretty new, but sometimes things happen, such as winter or leaning against your window and taking it off it's support. find out where the leak is and if it's from the window then it's trim.

Chevy S10/GMC S15-Sonoma: Problems & Solutions

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Chevy S10/GMC S15-Sonoma: Problems &amp; Solutions

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Chevy S10/GMC S15-Sonoma: Problems & Solutions