manaze

truck started running terrible yesterday afternoon. on the interstate, if you gave it gas, it just bogged out and would barely accelerate. stalled right near my house and wouldnt start. changed the fuel filter still nothing. fuel pump is new and sounds strong as ever. it will start with starting fluid and idle perfectly, give it gas and it boggs out. was thinking it may be a clogged cat converter? (i swear that thing needs to come off regardless! and yes i know thats illegal)...anyway...cant get to work, kids missed the school bus and i cant get them to school. any ideas guys? you were all a great help back this summer when i ended up having to change out the spider and i know you'll have some great advice this time around too!

Mandy

manaze

i suppose i should add that it is the 4.3 vortec and code "W"

RABarrett

A new fuel pump is fine if the fuel pressure is the issue. I have seen times where, on these particular and similar vehicles, that sensor issues caused their share of problems without setting codes. It is also possible, as you suggest, that the cat is the issue. Without testing, no solution is possible. Try removing the cat first, and see what happens. Typically, the new cat will flow better, enhancing performance anyway. Ray

Greedfly13

I had a very similar problem about 2 years ago on a 1991 4.3 GMC Jimmy...it would not bog down all the time, but it was getting progressively worse...It stalled out and died on me several times after "bogging down". It turned out that the problem was the IGNITION COIL. I would take a look at that (about $50 at Auto Zone or Advance Auto). Good luck, and PM me if you want any other info. Blake

manaze

Update: thanks for your input so far guys...i thought about the ignition coil but wasnt sure, as i was playin around with it, i pulled the plugs...drivers side is fine...passenger side looks like it is or was getting too much fuel. now these are the same plugs that i put in right before i changed the spider, so the plug problem could have been from that whole go around im not sure. i got new plugs for it now but was also thinking that maybe it could be the intake manifold tuner that distributes evenly to both sides and maybe its bad and not tuned correctly.
i feel sorry for her...shes been through a lot and ive tried to keep her well maintanenced. shes got over 250K on her and is almost excellent condition! i know shes got a lot of life left in her and im hoping i can get this problem fixed for her. and yes guys...i treat her just as any of you would treat your cars and trucks, even though i am a woman...lol.

manaze

ok...another update...still have the problem. called around to some shops and they seem stumped on what the problem is...here is what ive fixed between today and the last six months...
spider
fuel pump
fuel filter
fuel pump relay
ignition control module
throttle position sensor
plugs
wires
cap
rotor

now keep in mind that no sensor lights are on. the only thing that hasnt been changed that could be a possiblity is the pickup coil.
another thing...although the fuel pump is new within the last 6 months, im buying a fuel pressure tester tomorrow just to be on the safe side. im not kidding when i say i replaced the fuel pump 3 times last year....and if thats the case and turns out to be the pump yet again...my next quest is to figure out why they keep going. thank god i get lifetime on all my parts.
so if any of ya have any other ideas, please please please throw em out there! im starting to grasp at straws!

Mandy

Greedfly13

I would really try the ignition coil...I checked, and I paid about $30 for it...and its easy to get to (right in fron of the distributor cap). Good Luck