1995 Chevy S-10 1995 GMC Sonoma cranks then shuts down

BOTIEMASTER

MEMBER
1995 CHEVROLET S-10
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
139,671 MILES

Hello. I have a 1995 GMC Sonoma V6 4.3L truck. It has been sitting a lot lately. My problem is that when I crank it(it cranks up fine)it wants to sputter, jerk, and finally if I take my foot off the pedal, it just shuts down. This all happens in park, I haven't really wanted to try to drive it in it's current condition. I have started my own tune up job on it and was able to replace 4 very old spark plugs, but the last two are incredibly hard to reach and work with. My problem persists and I'm not sure what I need to do with the truck. As a side note, before I stopped driving it, it was pretty low on fuel. I considered no gas in the truck and filled it with about two gallons of gas, but a fuel problem seems out of the question. It does stay running for as long as I keep my foot on the pedal.

My only ideas as it stands from tons of searching around is to somehow get those last two spark plugs in, and perhaps I need to replace the fuel pump and or relay. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Has the check engine light come on? Also, the rear plugs are hard to reach, but using an extension and a swivel, you should be able to get them.

Also, even though you are getting fuel, it may not be enough or there could be too much fuel pressure. I do recommend checking fuel pump pressure. If you need directions, let me know.

Joe

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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 AT 8:00 AM

BOTIEMASTER

MEMBER
9 POSTS

Negative with the engine light. As for the spark plugs, I'm going to give them another go today, and I'll check with the fuel pump if I can figure it all out. But if you wouldn't mind giving me some directions in case I fail it would be appreciated. After much searching last night online I have more leads as to what the problem may be, but my biggest enemy right now is not knowing what is what and where what is to check it, which includes the fuel pump(I know where the fuel pump relay is, however) I am hoping I can find a repair manual somewhere today to aid in this task.

Thank you for the replies, it is very much appreciated as I'm working against time here. I need to drive this truck to and back from TX next month which is 1800 total miles, so I'm a bit stressed out that it has to pull this on me now.

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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 AT 10:23 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Stress is the worst thing in the world. Don't let it get to you. We'll figure it out.

As far as the fuel pump, it is in the fuel tank. Not the greatest place to be but never the less, that is where it is.

Considering it was low on gas, you may have a plugged fuel filter or it may have damaged the fuel pump. Here is a how to for checking fuel pressure. It includes a description of the sustem, directions, and a video showing how it is done. It will show a "schrader valve on the fuel rail" to attach a pressure gauge to. If you only have throttle body injection and not a multi port, you will attach it between the fuel line and where it attaches to the throttle body.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Something tells me this is where the problem is. LEt me know what you find when you check the pressure. Also, try hard to get the other two plugs in. As you mentioned, the 4 you removed were bad, so I'm confident the last 2 are bad too.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 AT 10:42 AM

BOTIEMASTER

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Thanks for the responses in both of my posts. I will focus my attention on my fuel pump after I finish with the spark plugs. I will let you know what I come up with.

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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 AT 11:39 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Glad to help. Let me know what you find and take your time with the plugs. Study the best way to access them and then slowly go about it. Otherwise, it can get frustrating and if you're like me, you'll end up with cuts all over your hands (LOL).

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe