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Automobile question.
11-13-11 | Me

Posted on 11/13/2011 5:23:05 PM PST by Kevin in California

Since FR has alot of smart and knowledgable people, I thought I pose this question in hopes of getting a few answers.

I have a 1996 Chevy S10 4X4 (automatic tran) with the Vortec 4.3L engine.

Yesterday I went away on an all day trip that's 1.5hrs each way and the only thing I noticed a couple while cruising the highway was it felt like the truck jerked a couple times but I wasn't really sure. Well, I got home last night, parked my truck, and went inside for the night. Well, woke up this morning to go grab a cup of coffee and the truck wouldn't start. It would crank no problem but wouldn't turn over and start. Keep in mind the battery is new and I have 3/4 tank of gas. Well, I tried starting it over the course of the next 2-3 hrs and still, wouln't start. Well, just went outside to try again and it started. WTH??? There's no "check engiine" light on and all the gauges are normal as they were last night. Now, my question.

If I take it into a shop tomorrow to put it on a puter, will they be able to tell me if there's a problem or maybe something like a switch, relay, etc. going out and need of replacement?

I hate to take it on a long trip then have this no starting problem again.

Thanks all!


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: automobile; car; chevy; s10
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1 posted on 11/13/2011 5:23:07 PM PST by Kevin in California
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To: Kevin in California

Trade it in on a Ford F250.


2 posted on 11/13/2011 5:28:26 PM PST by shove_it (just undo it)
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To: Kevin in California

Fuel pump?


3 posted on 11/13/2011 5:28:46 PM PST by TSgt (whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive...it is the Right of the People to abolish it.)
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To: Kevin in California

is there gas in the tank? is there spark in the plugs? is your fuel pump going on? Verify voltage on a volt meter? Check for gas smell on spark plug after cranking.


4 posted on 11/13/2011 5:29:24 PM PST by RitchieAprile
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To: Kevin in California

It sounds like it may be a crankshaft position sensor or a cam position sensor or connections to the sensor. Was it cold out when you first tried to start the truck? Did the temperature get a lot warmer later in the day when it started?


5 posted on 11/13/2011 5:29:38 PM PST by fudimo
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To: Kevin in California

If the “Check Engine” light didn’t come on, then I doubt that putting it on a computer will explain anything. It’s a ‘96. The electronics weren’t nearly as sophisticated then as now. Perhaps, more experienced FR motorheads will disagree with me, but this may have to be diagnosed the old-fashioned way: electic or fuel?


6 posted on 11/13/2011 5:29:39 PM PST by BfloGuy (Even the opponents of Socialism are dominated by socialist ideas.)
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To: Kevin in California

Possibly water in the tank, or a plugged fuel filter - both will do this sort of thing.

First things first, a $2 bottle of HEET will take care of the water by mixing it with alcohol and letting the engine run ‘roughly’ on this mixture - it will get the water out.

The fuel filter could certainly be a contributing factor as well.

I would NOT advise putting the various additives that dissolve the ‘gunk’ sitting in your fuel tank. That ‘gunk’ is sticking to the sides of your tank and ain’t bothering nuthin. If you add the ‘gunk’ disolver; prepare to have all that gunk hit your fuel lines and make your life a living hell. Don’t kick a sleeping dog; m’kay?

The HEET and fuel filter would be my first plans of attack.


7 posted on 11/13/2011 5:31:41 PM PST by Hodar ( Who needs laws; when this FEELS so right?)
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To: Kevin in California

fuel pump...and its probably in the fuel tank..
Yikes!


8 posted on 11/13/2011 5:32:07 PM PST by OL Hickory (Jesus and the American soldier-1 died for your soul/1 died for your freedom)
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To: Kevin in California

Sounds like it could be the fuel pump. When you turn the key to the “on” position, you should be able to hear the fuel pump run for a short time. The fuel pump is inside the fuel tank. If no sound, the fuel pump may be bad.


9 posted on 11/13/2011 5:32:54 PM PST by CobraJet
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To: Kevin in California

FWIW, the Astro with that engine had a problem with the fuel pump which is in the fuel tank. The fuel filter would be worth checking if it has a separate fuel filter.


10 posted on 11/13/2011 5:32:57 PM PST by decimon
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To: Kevin in California

Does your truck have an anti theft security system? If it does, there will be a yellow “security” lamp on the instrument panel while you are starting it.


11 posted on 11/13/2011 5:33:16 PM PST by norwaypinesavage (Galileo: In science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of one individual)
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To: TSgt

We had a GMC Jimmy, great vehicle until it started costing us in suspension parts. Last straw was a fuel pump (and/or fuel filter). Symptoms were sluggish on the throttle (thought for a while is was the tranny) and eventually it wouldn’t start. Not sure if this helps, but good luck.


12 posted on 11/13/2011 5:33:56 PM PST by Made In The USA (This post may be recorded for quality purposes.)
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To: Kevin in California

Even with no check engine light I would still see If you get a DTC thru the OBD II port. It’s usually a persistant problem that lights up the check engine lamp. Try Autozone, they used to do this for free.


13 posted on 11/13/2011 5:34:29 PM PST by 03A3
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To: BfloGuy; Kevin in California
...but this may have to be diagnosed the old-fashioned way: electic or fuel?

Agreed. The new gas eats up all sorts of rubber stuff on cars. There is a chance that the fuel sender is bad and that you may actually be out of gas. I would start with filling the tank or check to see if gas is making it to the engine.

14 posted on 11/13/2011 5:34:40 PM PST by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: Kevin in California

Classic symptom of a starter that is on its last legs...


15 posted on 11/13/2011 5:34:40 PM PST by BreezyDog (PLAN A: A Peaceful Restoration of the Republic.....PLAN B: A Restoration of the Republic)
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To: Kevin in California

Google. Join an on-line group.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f11c4c3
Here’s “S10 starting problems.”


16 posted on 11/13/2011 5:35:33 PM PST by Gen.Blather
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To: Hodar

Best post, Hodar...sounds like a fuel delivery issue to me.


17 posted on 11/13/2011 5:35:49 PM PST by IrishPennant (We don't want to work so we go to work to make enough money not to work...Huh?)
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To: Kevin in California

Has it been raining?


18 posted on 11/13/2011 5:36:05 PM PST by goseminoles
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To: Kevin in California

It apparently does have a separate fuel filter: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_the_fuel_filter_located_and_how_do_you_replace_it_on_a_1998_Chevy_S-10

Has it ever been replaced?


19 posted on 11/13/2011 5:36:31 PM PST by decimon
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To: fudimo

Yes Fudimo, I tried starting it early in the AM with no success. It then started in the PM.


20 posted on 11/13/2011 5:37:18 PM PST by Kevin in California
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