Automobile / GMC / Sonoma

GMC Sonoma Truck Repair Questions and Answers

Question:  1997 GMC Sonoma 4WD mileage: 122,000. Our truck is hard to start about 8 out of 10 times when cold or if it has not been running for over 20 min. Every now and again it will start just fine when cold and it never has any trouble if one restarts within ~20 miin. When it is hard to start, some throttle solves the problem. TBS lists a service bulletin for this year GMC that matches our symptoms (bulletin number 666309) and the title is "Replace Fuel Pump Pulsator". Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question:  2001 GMC Sonoma mileage: 79,000.  My blinkers do not blink when I turn them on.  If I turn the hazards on, they will blink.  This applies to the dash as well as the exterior lights.  Thank you Matthew

Answer:    Your problem appears to be the turn signal switch – it may need to be replaced.

Question:  2002 GMC Sonoma mileage: 72,000.  After performing normal maintenance, what is required to turn off the (service engine soon light)?

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:  2000 GMC Sonoma  mileage: 47,000.  What type of chip is required, and recommended for my truck?

Answer:  We recommend the factory computer chip.

Question:  1999 GMC Sonoma  mileage: 53,000.  Recently, when I engage gears, several problems are experienced.  1) The truck does not have the same pick up and go that it used to, it definitely lags.  2) The gears seem to rattle and sound garbled until I get up to a certain speed at each gear I shift up to.  3) The automatic shift indicator lights up immediately after up shifting and much to soon for the next gear.  4) The automatic gear shifter lights up even after shifting to 5th.  5) The gears grind sometimes even after putting the clutch all the way to the floor.   Any ideas as to the nature and ballpark expense of the repair?  Thank you!

Answer:    The problems you are experiencing would point to a clutch replacement.

Question: 1998 Sonoma S-10 4x4 mileage: 120,000.  Replacing Ball Joints, I have a couple of procedure questions for you, and tool requirements and or any hint/tricks that you may offer on replacing upper and lower ball joints on a 4x4 Sonoma.  1) Hub nut, is it best to pop the plastic caps off the wheels and loosen these before removing the wheel and ripping into it?  What size socket is this?  In addition, is it too deep for a normal 1/2" drive to reach?  The torque setting is 170 ft-lbs, is it reasonable to remove and re-install with a 1/2" drive breaker bar, with a pipe helper added on it?  The book mentions that after removing the retaining nut that it may be difficult to get the hub/bearing assembly out, is there a puller or any tricks to use to remove this assembly?  2) Does the upper A-arm limit the downward travel of the suspension i.e., when I "pop" the upper ball will the suspension suddenly come down?  3) Is it required to remove the steering arm to do this procedure?  It seems that if the lower A-arm is supported that there is room to drill out the rivets holding the lower ball joint to the A-arm, then replace with the bolts that come with the new ball joint.  4) Any hints of order of operations.  My initial thought is to A) loosen the hub nut, as mentioned above.  B) Remove the hub/bearing assembly, brakes, and shield C) Support the lower a-arm, pop the upper ball joint.  Pickle fork and hammer method D) pop the lower ball joint.  Pickle fork and hammer method E) drill out rivets and replace old ball joints.  F) Put it all back together in reverse and align it.  Any help would be appreciated, Erik

 Answer: A Mitchell or Chilton auto repair manual will have diagrams showing front-end replacement.  The manuals also give step-by-step instructions. Click here to find out more

Question:  2001 GMC Sonoma  mileage: 97,000.  I had noticed my temperature gauge getting real hot then going down.  So, I checked the radiator level and it was about 2 cups low.  I thought I saw some little black spots in the coolant.   When I picked up the cap to put it back on, I had noticed a spot of what looked like grease.  Of course, I had to stick my finger in it to find out.  It feels like grease.  Therefore it must be.  From reading the other posting, it sounds like a blown head gasket.  How far can I drive it before I have to it fixed?

Answer:   How far can you drive your car with the problem?  That depends on whether or not you are a “thrill seeker.”  It could quit at a very inopportune time.  Have the engine checked first.

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