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Truck problem...anybody have any ideas?

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Truck problem...anybody have any ideas?

Old 08-22-2008, 12:32 PM
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Default Truck problem...anybody have any ideas?

I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 4.3 V-6 automatic. I may have two problems. 1st is that when I turn the key to start the truck, at times it will crank and then I loose all electrical in the truck. After about a min or two it suddenly comes back to life and I am able to start it. I have to give it gas in idle or otherwise it will die on me but once doing that for about 30 seconds it is able to stay started by itself. 2nd When I put the truck in drive and start my way down the road, it feels as if the fuel system is choaking and getting limited power. As I am I driving it will also surge in power and if I decide to put the gas down, it will run up to about 3500-4000 RPMs with power and then it will go over the 4000RPMs mark with no power to the drivetrain (something similar to if you stepped in on a clutch and gave it some gas where the RPMs go up). Coming back lastnight I noticed that the check engine light came on and it was flashing. Then it would stay steady on and back to flashing. As I went out this morning to check out what was going on, the check engine light was gone. I have tightened all the battery and electrical connections I can think of, replaced the fuel pump about 2000 miles ago, fuel filter replaced, MSD spark plug wires, Bosch spark plugs, iginition coil replaced and also the ignition coil wire replaced. Help me out cause I think there is some major gremlins in the electrical system with these trucks.

This couldn't come at a "better" time considering I am getting furloughed at the end of next month.
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Old 08-22-2008, 01:25 PM
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A flashing check engine light is BAD!!! Usually, really bad. The only place I would drive it would be to a mechanic.
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Old 08-22-2008, 02:06 PM
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What is this- NPR's Car Talk? Just kidding. I had a pickup truck some years ago that had a check engine light at one point so I got a code reader for it ($100). This is what you need to get first. A hundred different things can cause a check engine condition, it could be nothing or the engine could be about to die. You won't know until you read the trouble codes. I think it will also allow you to reset them so as you fix things you will know what still needs attention.
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Old 08-22-2008, 04:16 PM
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A steady check engine light is usually no big deal. If it's flashing it's major... and probably something you can't fix yourself unless you're very mechanically inclined. On the other hand, a flashing light can also mean the engine's misfiring. The light will illuminate at the time when the misfire occurs. If you can figure out why it's misfiring, and you have some mechanical knowledge and some tools, you can usually fix it yourself (lean mixture, [clogged injectors], weak pump or clogged fuel filter [though you changed those], leaky EGR valve [happened to me on one of my Broncos], etc.). You will need a code reader though, to figure out which cylinder is misfiring (if the spark plug won't tell you).


Originally Posted by Cubdriver View Post
A hundred different things can cause a check engine condition, it could be nothing or the engine could be about to die.
That's true... on some cars, leaving the gas door open or the cap too loose will cause the "Check Engine" light to come on. A flashing light means something much worse. I'd venture to say it's your transmission that's about to die, not your engine. The longer you let it go, the more $$$ it'll cost. Get that truck to a shop pronto!

Last edited by Mitragorz; 08-22-2008 at 04:25 PM.
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Old 08-22-2008, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by pkunzip66 View Post
I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado...
I found your problem

In all seriousness, take it to an Autozone/NAPA/whatever your favorite autoparts store. Find out what code is tripping to give you the check engine light.

From the sounds of it, you may have an issue with a crank position sensor. Or worse, its something in your transmission.
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Old 08-22-2008, 05:00 PM
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Like pilotpip said, any Do-It-Yourself auto parts store should be able to read your trouble codes for free. That's how they know what parts you'll want to buy.


It sounds to me like a catalytic converter problem, in which case you'll probably want to find a good muffler shop. While it's possible to purchase bolt-on parts, it's often less expensive to let a muffler shop hit it with the torch.

That's just my guess -- take it to AutoZone for a more accurate assessment.







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Old 08-22-2008, 05:40 PM
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I have a 1992 F-250 and a 2006 VW Passat. Both would have the Check Engine light on steady, but at inexplicably random times. The VW also has other warning lights come on, all of which I ignore then they go away. Should I be concerned? The VW mechanic calls in sick when he sees me drive up the service area.
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Old 08-22-2008, 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by vagabond View Post

I have a 1992 F-250 and a 2006 VW Passat. Both would have the Check Engine light on steady, but at inexplicably random times. The VW also has other warning lights come on, all of which I ignore then they go away. Should I be concerned? The VW mechanic calls in sick when he sees me drive up the service area.

As long as it's not flashing, and you're experiencing no drivability issues, you're probably not hurting anything. However, with the price of gasoline the way it is, you might be better off to find and fix the culprit. It could be an emissions component, which equates to fuel efficiency. The computers store trouble codes, so the "Check Engine" light doesn't have to be on for the AutoZone "guy" to get them. However, some trouble codes are reset after a certain number of drive cycles if they don't repeat. So, it could be something, or it could be nothing. The only sure way is to read the codes when the light comes on, or shortly thereafter.

You could always put the VW in the lemon lot with a FOR SALE sign. Or, there's e-bay... or Craigslist ...






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Old 08-22-2008, 06:31 PM
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Vags, I am sorry to hear your '06 Passat is not any more reliable than that. You bought it supposedly because we advised you to here on APC. I thought it would be the best car for you. On the other hand, the '04 Jetta I had was really nice but I sold it after less than a year to help pay my student loans. I am glad I did. VWs are cool cars, but they are not as reliable as other German marques.

Last edited by Cubdriver; 08-23-2008 at 04:42 PM.
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Old 08-26-2008, 04:29 AM
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Thanx guys for giving me ideas....been on a 4 day and heading back home tomorrow, so I am hoping to mess with the truck once I get back. Hopefully, it is something really easy to fix so I don't have to shell out so much money.
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