New to me Blazer w/problems

Just picked up a 97 Blazer, it's actually for the wife and kids. I've done some searching on this forum for some of the problems but I have others. Money is tight so I want to do as much of this as I can, just so you know the most I've ever done on a vehicle is change plugs, distributor and wires. I did drop the feul tank on my S-10 once.

Front Wipers - sometimes work, via this forum it appears to be the pulse board? I called the dealership and it's not covered under warranty. What should I expect to pay for the board and is it something easily done?

Rear Wiper - when I try to use it it just makes a clicking sound. Any idea what needs to be fixed?

Fluid Sound - when accelerating from a stop or turning at low speed I can hear a fluid sloshing around, sounds like it's under the center console. Happens even after filling the feul tank. Any ideas, is it normal or is something wrong?

Found out the dealership unplugged the check engine light, is it hard to get working again? I assume I have to pull apart the dash or is there a fuse they may have pulled?

Engine Codes - went to Autozone and they got a P0140 and P0141: the Haynes book says downstream O2 sensor, is that the one after the cat? Is there anything else to check before spending the $ on the sensor?

P1406 - the other code I got for the EGR Sensor. How best to fix this? Do I just replace the valve or sensor? I think I saw mention of just cleaning the valve. Is that easily done and will it solve the problem?

Edit - was in a hurry to post so I forgot to thank you for any help in advance.

If you got it at a Dealer TAKE IT BACK ASAP and tell them to FIX IT

jetaylorpb, Dude how long ago did you get this vehicle
"Found out the dealership unplugged the check engine light" <---take that thing back you are getting shafted big time!!

I love my Jimmy but it sound like you got bent over

You didn't see the crap I traded in for it. A 97 Maxima that needed $2000 to pass inspection and a 94 Cherokee that I had to have towed there cause due to a coolant leak and not driving it for 4 months the 100% water in the engine was frozen solid, it also needed ball joints and exhaust, they gave me $1000 for it though.

I got the Blazer as is knowing it would have some problems, so far it is not as much as it would have been to fix the trade-ins. O2 sensor is only $54, EGR is $120 but that may be able to be cleaned?

Take it back ASAP and if they say no, get a lawyer.

This is illegal.

If I couldn't afford $2k to fix a Maxima how do you expect me to hire a lawyer? Have you ever dealt with them before? I have and they are not cheap. Some jerk forged my name to a contract and sued me and no lawyer would help without a couple thousand $ down. If I raped or murdered someone I could have had a free lawyer.

But anyways it looks like no one wants to answer the questions. Come on really, what am I looking at, a few hundred in parts, bloody knuckles and I may find a swear or two in me I never knew were there.

Just picked up a 97 Blazer, it's actually for the wife and kids. I've done some searching on this forum for some of the problems but I have others. Money is tight so I want to do as much of this as I can, just so you know the most I've ever done on a vehicle is change plugs, distributor and wires. I did drop the feul tank on my S-10 once.

Do a full tuneup and new oil change.

New Cap & Rotor
New Plugs
New Wires
New Fuel Filter
New Air Filter
New PCV Valve

Front Wipers - sometimes work, via this forum it appears to be the pulse board? I called the dealership and it's not covered under warranty. What should I expect to pay for the board and is it something easily done?

Board can be resoldered. The solder connects tend to break.

Rear Wiper - when I try to use it it just makes a clicking sound. Any idea what needs to be fixed?

Clicking sound? Does it actually work?

Fluid Sound - when accelerating from a stop or turning at low speed I can hear a fluid sloshing around, sounds like it's under the center console. Happens even after filling the feul tank. Any ideas, is it normal or is something wrong?

This is the sign of your cooling system needing flushing and filling with new coolant and a new NON AC DELCO radcap. Radcap does indeed need to be replaced.

Found out the dealership unplugged the check engine light, is it hard to get working again? I assume I have to pull apart the dash or is there a fuse they may have pulled?

How did you find this out?

Engine Codes - went to Autozone and they got a P0140 and P0141: the Haynes book says downstream O2 sensor, is that the one after the cat? Is there anything else to check before spending the $ on the sensor?

O2 sensor just before the cat is shot and needs to bew replaced.

P1406 - the other code I got for the EGR Sensor. How best to fix this? Do I just replace the valve or sensor? I think I saw mention of just cleaning the valve. Is that easily done and will it solve the problem?

What code was it? Yes, cleaning it will fix it.

I don't understand why you purchased a truck without thoroughly testing it.

With these codes the engine will run pretty badly.

Is it running rough?

Also check the post for water in the dash, I have seen a problem similar to this before, they have the full description of this problem

Yea, it is the heater core having water in it.

New rad cap and a flush and fill fixes it.

Thanks for the advice.

I did plan on doing the plugs, wires, cap,rotor, pcv, air myself. I think I will let the garage do the feul filter since I have never tinkered with a pressurized feul system.

Who would know how and what to solder? I play paintball and do accounting for work, never touched a solder before so I know I'm not going to do it. My neighbor works at an electric supply store and does ham radio etc, would he know what to solder by looking at it or am I better off buying a new board?

I think the rear wiper moved when I first got it but has since stopped.

OK on the cap, flush and fill.

Actually I assumed they unplugged it. I was suspicious when on start up the ses light never came on as it should. So I took it to Autozone last night and they got the codes for me.

The O2 sensor before the cat, is that on the manifold or is it on the exhaust pipes?

The 3rd code was the P1406 which is in the original post. Actually it runs great with lots of power, it is however only currently getting between 13-15 mpg.

If I can do a cap/rotor etc would cleaning the egr be manageable?

As far as why I got it like this: It's a 97 with just 80k miles, maybe one scratch on it, LS but fully loaded with everything but leather which I hate, full off-road package (suspension, limited slip, skid plates) and I only paid $2000.

Oh, did I mention the dark green paint with black under the strip molding matches the anno job on my autococker paintball gun?

Thanks for the advice.

I did plan on doing the plugs, wires, cap,rotor, pcv, air myself. I think I will let the garage do the feul filter since I have never tinkered with a pressurized feul system.

Who would know how and what to solder? I play paintball and do accounting for work, never touched a solder before so I know I'm not going to do it. My neighbor works at an electric supply store and does ham radio etc, would he know what to solder by looking at it or am I better off buying a new board?

I think the rear wiper moved when I first got it but has since stopped.

OK on the cap, flush and fill.

Actually I assumed they unplugged it. I was suspicious when on start up the ses light never came on as it should. So I took it to Autozone last night and they got the codes for me.

The O2 sensor before the cat, is that on the manifold or is it on the exhaust pipes?

The 3rd code was the P1406 which is in the original post. Actually it runs great with lots of power, it is however only currently getting between 13-15 mpg.

If I can do a cap/rotor etc would cleaning the egr be manageable?

Well, the light bulb could just be blown for the check engine light.

The O2 sensor is in the exhaust pip just before the cat. That is the one that does a lot of the fuel mixture measurements.

Clean and reinstall the EGR valve with a new gasket and that code should be fixed.

the fuel filter is an easy change, you just have be ready to have gas spill on you. it is located on the inside of the drivers side frame rail it takes about 15 minutes

How do you depressurize the system and get it repressurized?

You can depressurize the system at the schrader valve on the fuel rack or you can just crack the lines at the fileter and wait for it to come down.

After the new filter is in, it will repressurize it self. You may have to turn the key off/on a couple times but it will take care of it self.

Look for a schrader valve on the fuel inlet line just behind the throttle body. It will be on the left side, just ahead of the distributor.
1. Open and remove the gas cap
2. attach a fuel gauge to the schrader valve and drain a small bit of gas with hose attached into a correct container. Be sure to have a rag handy to soak up a small bit of gas.

Now your system is depressurized....keep in mind that when you turn the key on on these systems, the fuel pump is energized for about 2 seconds prior to starting and the system can reach pressures of 55-65 PSI... that's similar to your house plumbing....it's alot.

3. next go under the drivers side frame rail...just about even with the drivers door and you will find the fuel filter. On one side is a quick connect (not sure about 97's but 99's have a plastic quick connect that simply takes a pinch from the fingers...and the other side of the fuel filter has a standard fitting. Use a flare wrench so you don't round the edges off...and simple loosen and remove filter, and filter holder and reinstall.

Safety...make sure you have eye protection, and a rag handy for some small amount of gas spillage.

FYI - if you do this your self you can save about $50-60 bucks...as an AC-Delco filter usually costs around $12....and you do the labor...after you do it once you will feel more comfortable...

The key to this from my experience is relieving the pressure that's sitting there (around 10-30 PSI) with engine off.....

Hope this helps...

How do you depressurize the system and get it repressurized?

Actually, I just slowly backed out the nut and when te fuel started to run I placed a cup under it and I let it be for 5 minutes and it very quickly got rid of any pressure there.

Much easier then I thought it would be. I thought you had to prime the system prior to startup and what not. I'll be borrowing my neighbors garage/barn this weekend for the 02 sensor, egr, cap, rotor, wires, plugs, pcv, air filter etc I guess I might as well add the feul filter to the list.

Yea, might as well.