96 Tahoe, husband deployed, HELP!

[rmosher]

So my husband is deployed and my Tahoe decides to give me crap. The check engine light has always come on periodically and we put rubbing alcohol in the gas tank and all is fine. About 3 years ago we had to have the fuel pump replaced because of course it went bad as it usually does in Chevy's.

Well now it is giving crap about starting. The longer it sits the harder it is to start. It tries to turn over but won't, then you can hear it starting to get gas and eventually it catches and starts. Well my husband swears it's the fuel pump, but it better not be, it's only 3 years old. A friend cleaned the air filter for me and it gave me no problems at all for almost 2 weeks. Well now all of a sudden it is giving me crap again about not starting. Could it be the O2 sensor or the cadalitic converter? BTW, forgive my spelling, I know nothing about cars! Those are the 2 things everyone keeps telling me. We want to trade it in when he gets back so we hate to dump too much money into it. I'm never buying a Tahoe again...

Thanks for any help.

[maxwedge]

First get it scanned, maybe Autozone, then post back the codes. If possible have the fuel pressure checked especially cold, if not you will be at best guessing at what is happening here.

[rmosher]

P0102 MAF or VAF A Circuit Low Input
P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

Someone told me the misfire would only be my spark plugs and wires, but my husband changes those when they are supposed to be done.

Originally Posted by maxwedge

First get it scanned, maybe Autozone, then post back the codes. If possible have the fuel pressure checked especially cold, if not you will be at best guessing at what is happening here.

[maxwedge]

The 102 code could cuse a detectable misfire as it can lean down the engine. You could try cleaning the maf and see what happens. This is a delicate job that should be done with electrical parts cleaner. The wires in the maf cannot be disturbed other than to lightly spray the parts cleaner on them and lightly brush off the carbon. This still may not be the starting problem, though.

[rmosher]

Thank you, but what is a MAF? LOL!

Originally Posted by maxwedge

The 102 code could cuse a detectable misfire as it can lean down the engine. You could try cleaning the maf and see what happens. This is a delicate job that should be done with electrical parts cleaner. The wires in the maf cannot be disturbed other than to lightly spray the parts cleaner on them and lightly brush off the carbon. This still may not be the starting problem, though.

[corning_d3]

Mass Airflow Sensor, located in the intake hose between the air filter box and the engine. Btw, stop putting rubbing alcohol in the tank, it's 25% alcohol, and 75% WATER!! If you have put it in the tank recently, go get a can of HEET at a parts store and pour it in the tank.

[Bigsand1985]

Rmosher, send me a private message. Maby I can help. I am on the great lakes base, FCSN.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Bigsand1985

Rmosher, send me a private message. Maby I can help. I am on the great lakes base, FCSN.

I doubt you can help with her problem since this member had this issue 6 years ago.

my guess is she fixed it by not using rubbing alcohol in the fuel. that would cause missfires and probably damage the fuel delivery system.

p0300 can be the fuel pressures low. maf could be dirty or air duct/intake leaks ,.