Question

Hello Everyone,
I just joined this site while I was searching for an answer to my on going problems with my dear truck. Today is just another one of those...I wish I could trash it...days.

My truck stalled three times today. All of a sudden I can no longer accelerate, the pedal and steering wheel becomes very shakey. My power stearing goes out and the battery light flashes on. (The second and third time every light on the dash board turned on.) BUT the lights do not go out so I know it cannot be the battery. This has happened before, just a couple years ago.

The first time it stalled I was able to start it right back up after turning it off. The second time it shook while I was trying to start it and finally ran. The third time it stalled and wouldn't start for a few minutes.

I checked all the fluids and they are fine. There was a bit of a stench coming from it the second and third time it stalled but not bad. It was sweet, sort of reminded me of radiator fluid. But even if I did have a tiny leak, would that cause my trucks computer to shut off and turn every light on?

I know you're all problem thinking, "TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC!" But I was hoping for a bit of insight before I go through that trial and error.

thanks

What year is your truck?

check the battery voltage and report back

ever done a tuneup? if so, what was done

check your egr valve for chunks of carbon clogging it

check your pcv valve - it shouldn't be too dirty and it should rattle




Hello Everyone,
I just joined this site while I was searching for an answer to my on going problems with my dear truck. Today is just another one of those...I wish I could trash it...days.

My truck stalled three times today. All of a sudden I can no longer accelerate, the pedal and stearing wheel becomes very shakey. My power stearing goes out and the battery light flashes on. (The second and third time every light on the dash board turned on.) BUT the lights do not go out so I know it cannot be the battery. This has happened before, just a couple years ago.

The first time it stalled I was able to start it right back up after turning it off. The second time it shook while I was trying to start it and finally ran. The third time it stalled and wouldn't start for a few minutes.

I checked all the fluids and they are fine. There was a bit of a stench coming from it the second and third time it stalled but not bad. It was sweet, sort of reminded me of radiator fluid. But even if I did have a tiny leak, would that cause my trucks computer to shut off and turn every light on?

I know you're all problem thinking, "TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC!" But I was hoping for a bit of insight before I go through that trial and error.

thanks

Welcome to the forum deicide9

Take it to a mechanic is something that you'll never see on this board unless we seriously don't think that you can do the job for some reason.
And then we'll always try to help you figure out what the problem is and save you as much trouble as possible.

Sorry that I don't know the answer to your problem

What year is it? What engine does it have in it? Does the Check Engine light come on? drdd's got some good ideas..... I would bring it down to AutoZone and have them read any trouble codes for starts

mike

woah...I really appreciate the response.

It's a 2000, 4HP.
I had a tune up about 6 months ago. He basically just changed my spark plugs...*shrugs*

The check Engine light has been on since I bought the truck. A week after the title was in my name the Fuel Pump went out, luckily I had a GOOD friend at the time who hooked me up with a deal. I go to a dude who does work out of his garage. He told me that the Check Engine light was probably refering to the sensitivity of my gas tank. (When it says a 1/4 tank it's actually empty.)

Would this vehicle possibly have a Vapor Lock problem? My Pa said that he could see that being a problem with older cars but isn't sure if new cars even have the parts. I'm not very well informed about vehicles due to my own ignorance.

(I thank you all for the suggestions. drdd, I'll check the egr valve tomorrow...my Pa also said that your suggestion sounded right. Always should try to listen to the father...)

So you have a 2000 S10..... with a 4HP???? A 4 cylinder engine? Or a 4.3L V-6?.......

Other things to do based on drdd's input:

1) Computers are real funny about the voltage they run on. Clean the battery terminals (pull the clamps, use a wire brush/sandpaper and get em nice and shiny inside along with the battery posts)

2) Check the fluid level of the battery if you can... if the cells are low use distilled water to bring them up.

3) Charge the battery..... it doens't take much corrosion on the terminals to create a high resistance to current flow into and out of the battery... it may be in a low state of charge.

4) PCV.... pop it out, and clean it with some carb cleaner.... or just replace it.

5) EGR.... on newer vehicles is an electrically controlled device so it will have wires coming off it.... be careful pulling it.... it can be expensive to replace.

6) Tuneup.... do you know how to do one and what's involved??


Okay.... the check engine light has been on for awhile. The computer definitly has at least one trouble code locked in.... there could be more than one. The light might be on for a bum fuel tank sending unit but I suspect there are other codes locked in given the troubles you're having with it. Only way to find out is to have them downloaded.... and your local auto parts store may be able to do that for your free of charge. If you have an AutoZone store near you they do this service.

By your own admission you're not too "up" on cars and trucks and things that go so..... it really might be in your best interest to find a *good* mechanic, not a "dude who does work out of his garage". This "dude" should have checked for codes first thing an not assumed it was your bad gas guage; he probably doesn't have the expensive scanner to download these codes. Once the code(s) are downloaded, they will mean little unless you have a book to look them up and see what they mean...... however, being forewarned is being forearmed and with knowing the fault codes you will at least have some information before you bring the truck in.

Have the OBD (On Board Diagnostics) computer checked for trouble codes, write them down and post your results here..... maybe we can help with deciphering them.

Good luck

mike

Shoot, your lucky man, those 4hp S-10's are a rare find! They get about 1 million miles per gallon, and will keep up to a slug with a tail wind pushing it down hill.
LOL

[QUOTE=deicide9]
The first time it stalled I was able to start it right back up after turning it off. The second time it shook while I was trying to start it and finally ran. The third time it stalled and wouldn't start for a few minutes. QUOTE]

Sounds like a fuel issue. We had a company van that the fuel pump would go out intermediately, did something like that. Can you hear the fuel pump? When was the last time u changed the fuel filter.


[QUOTE=deicide9]
The check Engine light has been on since I bought the truck. A week after the title was in my name the Fuel Pump went out, luckily I had a GOOD friend at the time who hooked me up with a deal. I go to a dude who does work out of his garage. He told me that the Check Engine light was probably refering to the sensitivity of my gas tank. (When it says a 1/4 tank it's actually empty.)
QUOTE]

Might be, but highly doubt it. Mine is empty when the gas gauge hits the 3/4 mark and I never have a CEL.
Does it normally start to stall while your hittin the gas, or even when your just cruzin?