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Chevy S10 Truck Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 2002 Chevy S10 mileage: 46,000. I have a starting problem. The engine takes an excessive amount of cranking to start. When it does start, I can see a small cloud of brown smoke and a strong smell of gas. Also, the engine has a sluggish pick-up and will idle roughly at a stop. If the car is left to sit 2-3 days, it starts right up with no hesitation. I realize it is probably running rich, what steps do I take to correct this problem. I have replaced: spark plugs, fuel filter(s), and coolant temperature switch to no avail.

Answer: Check the fuel pressure regulator. The diaphragm inside has probably failed.

Question: 1994 Chevy S-10 pick-up mileage: 132,000. I'm changing the transmission and would like to know if it is a must that I change the converter also or would it be advisable that I put in the used one that came with the used transmission?

Answer: In your situation, it is probably okay to use the same used converter that came with the used transmission. If you were installing a newly rebuilt transmission we would advise you to also install a rebuilt or new torque converter, because the old torque converter would likely have shrapnel in it from the old transmission that failed. When an old converter is put on a new transmission, shrapnel is dumped into the new transmission causing damage.

Question: 1996 Chevrolet S10  mileage: 86,000. I am trying to replace the clutch. It has a NV1500 transmission. I have bought a new GM pressure plate, throw-out bearing, clutch disk, slave cylinder, and clutch master cylinder. The problem I have is that with all this new stuff installed, the clutch will not disengage. I can crank the truck, have pedal pressure, but when you push the clutch pedal in and try to put it in gear, it won't go. The flywheel was resurfaced and with all the new parts, there should not be any problems unless the new slave cylinder is bad. I don't know. The mechanic and I are stuck as to what the problem is. The clutch worked fine before it went in the shop. It had a slight vibration because of the flywheel. I just wanted to replace it because of all the miles and before something major went wrong.

Answer: You may have put the clutch disc in backwards. It must be removed to check to see if it was installed correctly.

Question: 1998 Chevy S-10 pick up. The Passlock anti-theft deterrent system is malfunctioning. My truck thinks I am trying to steal it. The engine will fire but after 2 seconds, the computer cuts the fuel line to prevent theft. The owner's manual says this is caused by a faulty key or some kind of contaminant in the starter itself. I've tried the manual's way of bypassing this (wait 10 minutes and retry) but, nothing is working. The dealer wants to charge me over $700 when this is all said and done. Have you guys heard about any other ways to bypass this? 

Answer: We suspect that you may have a broken wire inside the steering column. The anti-theft system cannot be bypassed.

Question: 2001 Chevy S10 mileage: 75,000. I've developed a dead miss in the number 1 cylinder. I know that a gas engine requires fuel, compression and ignition to run, which it has. At idle the miss is more prevalent than above an idle or while at driving speeds. The compression in number 1 cylinder is 105 psi and  number 2 cylinder is 115. There is a blue spark equal to the rest of the cylinder. The injector spray pattern is constant and appears to be adequate. While applying 50 lbs. of air pressure to number 1 and number 2 cylinder and rotating the crankshaft slowly the engine appears to be breathing properly, as the air escapes both from the injector ventura and the tailpipe respectively as the rotation opens the valves. The resistance of the spark plug wire is well within limits and the distributor cap and rotor show no signs of arc tracks. Being a half decent shade tree mechanic I presented this problem to the head mechanic, who maintains the fleet of various vehicles at work, and he went over all of the various diagnostic techniques again with me and he says whatever the problem is that he's never run across this one before. Can you shed some light of this one? Gratefully appreciated.

Answer: Do a compression check of all the cylinders paying very close attention to the cylinder that has a common intake runner with the number one cylinder. If the intake valve on the other cylinder is not sealing properly, then the exhaust is transferred into the number one cylinder and prevents it from firing.

Question: 1998 Chevy S-10 pickup  TBI mileage: 87,600. My vehicle stalls during warm-up; and at normal operating temperature when A/C is switched on. Oil pressure gauge reacts and drops during A/C operation and vehicle stalls at full stop (red light, stop sign, etc.). Service performed: Replaced: Air filter, Dist. cap and rotor, spark plugs and wires, oil pressure sending unit, EGR valve-to-manifold gasket, fuel filter, PCV valve, and battery. Checks: THERMAC (check failed: door inside snorkel locked open); vacuum hoses, heat stove tube, TBI mounting bolts, metal hose fitting from A/C accumulator to rear of manifold shows corrosion at the manifold end. ALL tune-up and maintenance required by owner's manual has been performed and is up-to-date. Could a faulty THERMAC air temperature sensor cause these problems? Have I missed something?

Answer: Try replacing the idle speed motor.

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Question: 1996 Chevy S-10  mileage: 72,000.  This is more of an advice question:  I recently had the water pump fall apart and pump coolant all over the ground, and the a/c compressor disintegrate making a loud noise.  Both were replaced.  The cooling system works fine, but the a/c worked only for a few weeks and now no longer cools.  The dealer will not look at the vehicle without charging me again (I had to take the truck back for a coolant leak AFTER they fixed it the first time). Every repair is going to involve two attempts and multiple charges to me.  Two questions:  Should I just dump the truck and buy something else, or should I try to get the a/c fixed.  Am I being foolish keeping this Chevy or is it time to trade.  Vehicle reliability and cost of operations are the two most important factors in vehicle ownership to me.  Thank you.

Answer: A possible Freon leak could be the reason your air-conditioning is not working.  If you have the system checked for leaks, the location of the leak is likely in the area of previous repairs.  This is so because it is very difficult to get the system sealed up properly.  We check for leaks routinely after repairing air-conditioning systems.

Question: 1992 Chevy S-10 mileage: 83,000.  I am having trouble with my windshield wipers on my truck.  The delay works part of the time.  It either stops or has no delay.  Recently, the low wiper setting stops working and there is a grinding sound.  If I hit the fast wiper setting, it goes away and my wipers work again but at the low speed.  Is my motor going out or is something slipping that I can fix?  In addition, can you recommend a manual that explains how to get at the motor and components?  I have a Hayes manual and it does not tell me what I need to know.  Thank for you help!

Answer: Sounds like the wiper motor is failing.  A Mitchell or Chilton auto repair manual will have diagrams showing wiper motor replacement.  The manuals also give step-by-step instructions.  We have these available online at the repair manual page.

Question: 1994 Chevy S-10 Blazer.  I am trying to replace the heater core but I am having no luck, do I have to take out the whole dashboard?   I know where it is at but just cannot get to it; I must be missing something.  Your assistance would be greatly accepted, thanks.

Answer: Each year is slightly different but you may have to loosen the right side of the dash to remove the heater duct.  In addition, the air conditioning Freon might possibly have to be drained and recharged and the air conditioning evaporator removed.

Question: 1995 Chevy S 10  mileage: 28,000.  ABS warning light stays on.  I replaced front pads, light is still on.  Also, the check engine soon light stays on and engine runs very rough, can you help me with this?

Answer: The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer.  The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component.  Because the check engine light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.

Question: 1997 Chevy s-10  mileage: 104,000.  There is a very loud metallic noise sounding like something hitting another part coming from around the fan water pump area.  You have to keep your foot on the floor to keep it running.  It is a very loud noise

Answer: We think a water pump or fan clutch that is failing.

Question: 2000 Chevy S10- 4 Cylinder mileage: 80,000 - Every time I start the vehicle the engine seems to shake, then if I turn the air conditioner on it shakes as well. The car runs just fine after start up and if I don't use the air, though there is a slight rattling sound-kind of  like a loose bolt is shaking. Can Anybody help me out and like me know what you think. Thanks

Answer: Could be an engine mount.

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