1989 S10 runs, but won't go

100

Asked by pdxtraveler May 31, 2014 at 06:19 PM about the 1989 Chevrolet S-10

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have an 1989 s10 pickup with a 2.8 v6 fuel injected motor, 5 speed.
  
It starts, and as long a s I give it gas it stays running. It revs up like it wants to go, but When I try to drive it, it stalls out, like no gas and will not go, but still revs and runs.  
I thought is was a fuel filter.  changed that.
I thought it may be the pump relay, changed that
I thought it may be the fuel pump, changed that.
I can hear the pump run, for a couple of seconds, when I turn on the key.
Replaced the distributer cap and rotor.

What's next?

15 Answers

199,735

Sound like possible dirty/faulty idle air control valve or dirty throttle plate. The iac for your vehicle is only about fifty dollars or so. ( cheap compared to most) That's what I would check next.

4 people found this helpful.
60,305

If it idles the iac should be fine. It says the truck is a 5 speed. Im assuming you can drive a stick right? Could ve a linkage problem, or maybe the rear end. Can the truck roll if pushed?

2 people found this helpful.
100

been driving more than 40 years, I can drive a clutch. it does not idle for more than 5-10 sec. I can drive it up the street, but not without constantly feathering the clutch and revving it up. I step on the gas and it boggs and dies. As soon at the motor gets a load on it, it stalls. and will not accelerate, This is why I first thought of filter.

3 people found this helpful.
100

about a month now, due to this issue. It is my daily commute vehicle. The check engine light has been coming on for a while, mostly when I am on the freeway in 5th gear in low RPM, 55-60 MPH. I did check the codes and got 12,12,12,13,13. This is what I found for that Code2.8 VIN R 13 - Oxygen Sensor Open Circuit Open circuit would these symptoms be indicative of a bad Oxygen Sensor ?

5 people found this helpful.
60,305

did it stop after the 2nd code 13? They are supposed to flash 3 times and end with code 12 again. These engines dont relay on the o2 sensor heavily, however i would recommend it to optimize mpg's. A couple things come to mind, TPS, MAP sensor, fuel, and ignition timing. The filter is a good start. If you can get a timing light it would be a good idea to check, but if no work has been done to it recently then that probably wont be it. The TPS and MAP are responsible for adjusting the engine under load and detecting when it is "at Idle". They can be tested with a volt meter. I didn't mean to offend about the driving a clutch question, but i have had questions on here boil down to the driver not actually knowing how to operate a vehicle, even with automatics occasionally...

60,305

and vacuum leaks, came to me literally as i hit post. With all the vacuum lines on these things some get brittle

100

no worries about offending. Thanks for helping!! After the 13,13,13 it went to 3 longs,3 longs, 3 longs and then, I think, 12,12,12. I need to get a friend to help so I can check for vacumn leaks. What is the easy way to check the MAP and TPS sensors.?

2 people found this helpful.
60,305

http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/gm/4.3L-5.0L- 5.7L/how-to-test-the-map-sensor-1 http://easyautodiagnostics.com/gm_tps_test/pickup_va n_tps_1.php double check the engine codes again, make sure there wasnt a code 33, as that is the MAP sensor code. 3 long flashes by themselves dont make sense. I belive the 2.8 map sensor will have a vacuum line going to it, if it is bad it will cause it not to work

1 people found this helpful.
70

I'm having the same problem with my 89 s10 blazer 2.8 4x4 Starts and Idles fine as soon as I go to first gear bogs down but doesn't shuts off I did the complete gas system tank, fuel pump injectors tps sensor, timing chain, distributor ,computer did a tune up still having the same problem I check for a vacuum leak I hear no noise or rough idle Iwould hate to get rid off the blazer if someone has some info I would appreciate

6 people found this helpful.
10

I would start by doing a compressiong test on all cylinders just to make sure before throwing more money into it. A wet compression test can also pin point the valves and pistons. If this is at the manufacturer's PSI's then I would worry about the other stuff. Hope this works.

1 people found this helpful.
10

I have a question. I have an S10 pick up. It runs good. The service engine light came on after about 40 miles it died. Could restart it, but I put in first gear and it won't go. I left it sit for awhile and i was able to get home. Service engine did come on again Anyone know what the problem could be?

1 people found this helpful.
390

I have a 93 S10 2.8 5 speed when you try to put it in gear it will try to pull but won't

10

I have a 89 S10 wit a 2.5l iron Duke 5 speed it ran fine till today heard a loud pop got to my destination shut it off let it sit. Come back home went to leave again started right up got down the road into 5th gear and it shuts off completely. Wouldn't start back up let it sit for 5 mins turned back to get home got a mile away from home nd it dies again. Would start up but died when I put it into first. Now it turns over but won't start? Any ideas?

1 people found this helpful.

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