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not uncommon, but multiple common problems are as follows:
1) starts rough, 2 or 3 attempts to actually start
2) intermittent rough idle, almost sounds like it misfires at times, other times it seems fine
3) intermittent poor throttle response/no throttle response because it dies
i've decided to post this because i can search all of these seperate, but searching them all together doesn't really turn much up. i'm also going to list what i've done and what i have yet to do based on what i think and input i recieve. i will also update as i do things.
*note* code scanner won't pull codes. check light is intermitten. there doesn't seem to be a correlation to the loss of power
done:
1. air filter
2. oil and filter (because i had them)
3. MAP sensor
planned:
1. plugs and wires
2. fuel filter
3. TPS
4. o2 sensor
maybe the computer
if i missed something that may be more beneficial in the troubleshooting process please let me know
Check the TPS with a multimeter before changing it. One with the analog needle will work better for this, but a digital will do fine.
Also, check and clean all grounds. Mine is an '87, so my grounds may be in a different place, but I will list where I'm pretty sure yours are.
There is one next to the battery, either on the inner fender or radiator support. Wires held on with either 5/16th or 3/8 screws, as most of the rest will be.
Another on the passenger side firewall under the hood hinge. On mine one cable goes to the hood, the other to the intake. I have one ground location on a stud bolt on the wiper. Yours may not. Another is on the drivers side inner fender at the rear.
Mine doesn't have the next two, but yours may. There are one on each side inside the cab behind the kick panels, close to the floor. I have one more ground that screws into the rear of the fuse panel. You may not.
Check the TPS with a multimeter before changing it. One with the analog needle will work better for this, but a digital will do fine.
Also, check and clean all grounds. Mine is an '87, so my grounds may be in a different place, but I will list where I'm pretty sure yours are.
There is one next to the battery, either on the inner fender or radiator support. Wires held on with either 5/16th or 3/8 screws, as most of the rest will be.
Another on the passenger side firewall under the hood hinge. On mine one cable goes to the hood, the other to the intake. I have one ground location on a stud bolt on the wiper. Yours may not. Another is on the drivers side inner fender at the rear.
Mine doesn't have the next two, but yours may. There are one on each side inside the cab behind the kick panels, close to the floor. I have one more ground that screws into the rear of the fuse panel. You may not.
i like this idea, i also forgot to mention the previous owner installed a negitive shutoff switch (autozone $20 knife switch) because he believed the truck had a paracitic load, however, after 3 days it will spin no problem and, to my knowledge, a negative cutoff won't stop a battery from discharging anyway
replaced plugs and wires today, removed the knife switch but i ran out of time for the fuel filter. starting is still rough, but improving, 2-3 tries rather than 4+ throttle response is improved and idle is as well, but it still seems to want to "bog down" ... i believe i'm chasing a vaccum issue now
i believe the previous owner and i had two different opinions on spark plug gap
With the plugs that out of whack, what did cap and button look like, on hard starting, have you checked fuel pressure with a gauge, while idling, then blip throttle, does pressure go up, then settle back down?
With the plugs that out of whack, what did cap and button look like, on hard starting, have you checked fuel pressure with a gauge, while idling, then blip throttle, does pressure go up, then settle back down?
i have not checked the fuel system yet. i had covid and then we got slammed with snow so i've been waiting for the weather to clear. my next two steps are fuel filter and sea foam. it's starting to choke shortly after startup, as if it has no gas. it has gas. i still suspect the vaccum sysyem, but i also know the spark plugs tell a very dirty story about the fuel. when it dies it isn't rough at all, just quietly goes to sleep. also, previous owner guessed the battery wrong. after sitting for 3 weeks it was at 12.3v however the neutral safety switch is picky. that has been added to my list of things to replace.
If the arrow is pointing toward the rear, which it appears to be, then it is in backwards.
it was one of those sinking feelings when i saw this. the previous owner asked me, "are you mechanicaly inclined?" which i made the mistake of assuming this was an indication he was also able to READ AN ARROW PRINTED ON THE SIDE OF A FILTER THAT TELLS YOU WHICH WAY FUEL FLOWS THROUGH TO GET TO THE ENGINE, but i was wrong. idle, throttle response and acceleration all improved after replacement. also running seafoam through because i'm sure the injectors will be happy about it. will probably do 2 tanks worth because .... why not
going to start on vacuum troubleshooting next... i'm not looking forward to it. i have a replacement for the reservoir ... an old nalgene water bottle, but i'm not to sure where to start hunting leaks. any and all suggestions are welcome!
, what did cap and button look like, on hard starting, have you checked fuel pressure with a gauge, while idling, then blip throttle, does pressure go up, then settle back down?
