98 Blazer: Cold days, and oil leak!

[kwjohnston]

I have a 98 2WD with 97K. I live in Montan where it gets very cold. During some sold mornings, my blazer starts up fine, but when I begin to drive, the ABS light is on, my speedometer does not work, and my transmission will not change gears. Usually it will fix itself after a 10-15 minutes, but sometimes it lasts all day. Can't drive very fast in 1st gear. Any ideas? Also, I have a pretty bad oil leak under the front of the engine where the oil hoses (?) are on the bottom on the driver side. I haven't taken it to a dealer yet, jut wondering how much it is going to cost to fix and what the problem may be. I just found the site and this is my first post. It is great to see so many other blazer enthusiasts out there!

-KJ

[brusk1]

not sure about your cold weather issue... make sure you have tranny fluid.

Oil leak... not sure if 2wd have the remote oil filter, but if it does... could be the oil lines that run from near the oil pan via a "oil adapter" to the remote oil filter. I had adapter and lines replaced some time back for a leak near the adapter ~$250

[BlazerLT]

Sounds like the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is defective or the connector to it has come loose.

This effects the speedometer and is needed for the ABS system to work. I would look there forst.

Does your oil filter screw right on the block or does it have the remote oil filter assembly in the front.

[kwjohnston]

My oil filter screws directly to the block. Also, where is the VSS located. I have a Chilton book so I will look there first. Are there any other good repair books other than Chilton?

[BlazerLT]

Near the output shaft on the transmission.

Chilton's is the best but there are other options such as the Haynes Repair Manual.

I have both and if one comes up short, the other usually fills in the blanks.

[Spencer0299]

I just had my car looked at and when it got cold they say that blazers are know for the oil cooler lines going out and that is what happened to me. Cost about 400 to get fixed. There are 2 different lines one is going from the oil filter to the block and one from the block to the radiator. The one from the oil filter to the block is the one that was leaking. They said it was under the motor mounts so that is why it was so much to fix

[kwjohnston]

Thanks for the info. I am going to have to take it in to the shop in the next few weeks and get it checked out.

[BlazerLT]

If he has the filter attached to the block, then he won't have the oil cooler lines.