87 gmc tbi - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

IRC4FRE · 08-20-2003, 07:52 AM

Hi, I have an 87 gmc 1/2 ton 2wd P/U. Recently I have been have some bad drivability issues. A week ago the truck has developed an erratic problem. Now this doesnt happen all the time but it is getting more frequent. I can be driving along just fine and when I give it alittle more gas it will start cutting out. And I mean cutting out. It will spit and sputter and barely run. Its like it loses all powere. It will eventually stall. It always restarts but has no power, it idles really erratic and has no accelleration. After about 3 startups it will start up and run fine, usually for about 10 minutes then, the whole thing starts again. Now this doesnt happen all the time so I am confused.
I have replaced the inline fuel filter and that didnt help. I have no idea how to check the fuel pressure so dont know if it is the pump. I am getting no SES light and it didnt jump timing. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be. This is my work truck and I need to get it working dependable again.

**old Rusty C10** · 08-20-2003, 10:11 AM

are you sure your ignition system isnt crapping that sounds like a pickup coil or a brain to me

87 STEPPER · 08-20-2003, 04:06 PM

Welcome to the board.

It's hard to test fuel press. on this system cuz of where the fuel lines are located and the fittings are special and dont allow room to tee into it.

But it could be your fuel pump going south.

The ignition module could be going bad too id replace it first and see what happens.

IRC4FRE · 08-20-2003, 06:33 PM

hi, well, Im getting no ses light. The truck crapped out on me today going to work. I just went by it and tried to start it 8 hours later. It started but only for a few minutes, unfortunately I was alone but I dont think Im getting spark from the coil to the dist. what do you think

87 STEPPER · 08-20-2003, 06:41 PM

No i dont think it's ing. related cuz if it was it would illuminate the ses .

Can you hear your fuel pump run when you turn the ing. key from off to just befor the starter is enguaged?

**swervin ervin** · 08-20-2003, 06:42 PM

I'm no TBI specialist, but it sounds fuel related to me. You say when you give it more gas, it starts cutting out. I would suspect the fuel filter. I had a 87 1 ton van I drove for work once and it just quit. It was the fuel pump. Never gave any signs at all, just quit.

I guess it's possible the fuel pump is going bad. I would change the filter first. Probably needs changing anyway.

82 Silverado 4X · 08-20-2003, 07:15 PM

Wouldn't a plugged catalytic convertor show the same symptoms?

IRC4FRE · 08-20-2003, 10:43 PM

It was the coil... Tahnks for all your replies didnt expect to many. I also belong to www.IROC-ZPOST.com and now its good to know where I can get advice for this truck also

08-20-2003, 07:52 AM	#1
IRC4FRE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4	87 gmc tbi Hi, I have an 87 gmc 1/2 ton 2wd P/U. Recently I have been have some bad drivability issues. A week ago the truck has developed an erratic problem. Now this doesnt happen all the time but it is getting more frequent. I can be driving along just fine and when I give it alittle more gas it will start cutting out. And I mean cutting out. It will spit and sputter and barely run. Its like it loses all powere. It will eventually stall. It always restarts but has no power, it idles really erratic and has no accelleration. After about 3 startups it will start up and run fine, usually for about 10 minutes then, the whole thing starts again. Now this doesnt happen all the time so I am confused. I have replaced the inline fuel filter and that didnt help. I have no idea how to check the fuel pressure so dont know if it is the pump. I am getting no SES light and it didnt jump timing. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be. This is my work truck and I need to get it working dependable again.

08-20-2003, 10:11 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	are you sure your ignition system isnt crapping that sounds like a pickup coil or a brain to me __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

08-20-2003, 04:06 PM	#3
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	Welcome to the board. It's hard to test fuel press. on this system cuz of where the fuel lines are located and the fittings are special and dont allow room to tee into it. But it could be your fuel pump going south. The ignition module could be going bad too id replace it first and see what happens. __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

08-20-2003, 06:41 PM	#5
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	No i dont think it's ing. related cuz if it was it would illuminate the ses . Can you hear your fuel pump run when you turn the ing. key from off to just befor the starter is enguaged? __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

08-20-2003, 06:42 PM	#6
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	I'm no TBI specialist, but it sounds fuel related to me. You say when you give it more gas, it starts cutting out. I would suspect the fuel filter. I had a 87 1 ton van I drove for work once and it just quit. It was the fuel pump. Never gave any signs at all, just quit. I guess it's possible the fuel pump is going bad. I would change the filter first. Probably needs changing anyway. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

08-20-2003, 06:33 PM	#4
IRC4FRE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4	hi, well, Im getting no ses light. The truck crapped out on me today going to work. I just went by it and tried to start it 8 hours later. It started but only for a few minutes, unfortunately I was alone but I dont think Im getting spark from the coil to the dist. what do you think

08-20-2003, 07:15 PM	#7
82 Silverado 4X Genuine Chevrolet Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South West Pennsylvania. Posts: 582	Wouldn't a plugged catalytic convertor show the same symptoms? __________________ George 82 Silverado LWB 4x4 350 SM465 NP208 77 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 400 TH350 NP203

08-20-2003, 10:43 PM	#8
IRC4FRE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4	?????? And the verdict is????? It was the coil... Tahnks for all your replies didnt expect to many. I also belong to www.IROC-ZPOST.com and now its good to know where I can get advice for this truck also



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