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Chevy S10/GMC S15-Sonoma: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

2018 messages,  Last post on Oct 17, 2006 at 9:12 PM

You are in the Chevrolet S-10 & GMC S15 Sonoma Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet S-10, GMC Sonoma, GMC S-15, Truck

Messages Page 17 of 203

#154 of 2018 1996 S-10 problems by buck351

Feb 20, 2002 (12:41 pm)

I had bought a 1996 extended cab SL new with the 4.3 V6, 5 speed manual and locking rearend. At the time I almost bought the Tacoma but decided on the S-10 since it was alittle less with the same items. So after about 40k I started thinking I should have got the Tacoma and now after 67k I am sure. I use the truck for personel use occationally hauling something from the store, a motorcycle, etc. Lite hualing use. I have run synthetic oil in the engine, trans and rearend. To date this is the history of repairs:
-engine doesn't slow down sometimes until you hit 5-8mph. Hangs 1300-2200 rpm. They never found the cause. Random problem sometimes slows down the speeds back up. Very strange thank god I have manual trans.
-water pump 40+k (question this one)
-brakes front & rear 40+k (acceptable)
-main seal power steering ~43k (unacceptable)
-~45k right front upper ball joint broke. Lucky only going 20-25mph. (unacceptable)
-left upper ball joint broke ~55k. Lucky again backing out of garage. Chevy mechanic said it was ok when the fixed the first one.(unacceptable)
-65k Top transmission seal leaking. (unacceptable)
-66k bad u-joint in drive shaft (vibrations). Had to have u-joints replace, hanger bearing and the shaft had to be straightened/balanced. Shaft was bent. I don't do hole shots or carry heavy loads. (unacceptable)
-66k oil leak in oil pan or rear main seal. Pan most likely according to mechanic. Also rear main seal on trans starting to leak. (unacceptable)
-Last two trucks were Nissans and I didn't do any of these repairs in 120k. Nissan didn't have the V6 available when I was buying.
 
Looking for replacement (not GM).

#155 of 2018 RE: 2001S10 fuel gauage inaacurate Dealer cannot fix? by scoops2

Feb 25, 2002 (4:44 pm)

I have exactly the same problem. My truck has been in the shop nearly 10 times. I have a 2001 Chevy S10 Crew Cab. They've replaced the sending unit, the computer brain, gauge cluster, and examined the entire wiring harness for shorts. I've been without the truck for approximately 3-4 weeks. My dealer has been very good about this and appears to have done everything he can. I've talked to GM Customer support and they say that this problem is "normal operating condition". According to them, I have to deal with the problem because they can not and will not fix it. I've also found out that the problem may be because the fuel tank has no baffles in it to stop fuel from sloshing around and confusing the gauge - this is a load of crap because the truck does it when sitting still too. Tonight while talking to Customer support I was told that my only two options are to contact the Better Business Bureau or an attorney. I plan to do both. It is ridiculous to think that they will not uphold the warranty and expect me to pay for a truck that is faulty. In my opinion they have failed to upkeep the warranty and therefore voided our contract to pay for the truck.

#156 of 2018 RE: 2001S10 fuel gauage inaacurate Dealer cannot fix? by scoops2 by dennisdixon

Feb 25, 2002 (10:08 pm)

I received a letter from GM today telling me how sorry they are that I am not happy with their decision (normal operating condition). The letter tells me I can go to the BBB for arbitration.
 
Keep me posted on any new happenings with your situation. Anyone else having these problems?

#157 of 2018 Fuel Gauge, can I assist? by moparbad

Feb 26, 2002 (8:57 am)

I have a 2002 Crew Cab and if you tell me the problems you are having with fuel gauge I will check mine to see if it operates the same. Perhaps I could provide a letter to you if mine operates differently and this would help to support your position that your truck has a problem.

#158 of 2018 Fuel Gauge by scoops2

Feb 26, 2002 (9:23 am)

Moparbad, the problem I have is when the fuel level gets below 1/2 tank
and you stop and park the gauge sometimes shows empty and the low fuel light comes on. I have shifted the truck from drive to neutral going down the road and the gauge goes all over the place. Now this problem does not happen every time but there have been times when I haven't
known if I have a 1/4 or 1/2 tank of gas .

#159 of 2018 fuel guage by joe3891

Feb 26, 2002 (10:10 am)

Could be a ground problem.

#160 of 2018 Fuel Gauge re scoops by moparbad

Feb 28, 2002 (9:29 am)

My gauge reads slightly right of F when completely full, when it is at 3/4 it will take 3 to 4 gallons to fill it, when at 1/2 it takes approx. 8 gallons to fill it and when it is at 1/4 it takes approximately 11 gallons to fill the tank. It does not vary from 1/4 to empty when it is on the last 1/4 of a tank and does not go all over the place. Overall, the fuel gauge is the least accurate of any of the 20 plus vehicles I have owned but it does not have the same sypmtoms yours does. GM would be well served to review the design and operation of the fuel gauge on the S-10.

#161 of 2018 Fuel Gauge by scoops2

Feb 28, 2002 (11:04 am)

Moparbad, the problem I'm having may be on the 2001 models only, I have filed a case with BBB and we'll see what they come up with, I wouldn't mind if they give me a 2002 model in exchange for my 2001, but I was afraid the 2002 may have the same problem. Thanks.

#162 of 2018 Re: moparbad by the5car

Mar 01, 2002 (8:52 am)

How can you classify what you describe as
'least accurate' ??? My '97 S-10 came with
what the owner's manual claims to be an 18.1
gallon fuel tank. The numbers you provided
pretty much supports that capacity, and quite
accurately reflects my experiences.
 
Even if you're gauge works perfectly, I would
recommend that you fill your tank, run it
down to almost empty, fill it again, figure
out how many miles to the gallon you get,
multiply that by your tank's capacity, reset
your trip odometer at every fill-up, determine
what your vehicle's mileage range is, and not
worry about what your gas gauge says so much.
  
I'm getting around 27mpg lately, so I know
that after 450 miles or so, I should consider
getting some gas, regardless of what the gauge
indicates....
 
JMO....

#163 of 2018 fuel gauge re the5car by moparbad

Mar 01, 2002 (2:47 pm)

Your point is good, what I describe happening with the fuel gauge does not explain very well the inaccuracy of the fuel gauge. When I fill up the truck the gauge reads slightly to the right of F and then by the time I drive 24 miles the needle is just to the right of 3/4 and there it will stay until I drive 60 to 70 miles total, once it reaches 3/4 it gradually will go to 1/2 and then it likes to stay there until I get to around 170 miles, sometime around that point it will rapidly go to 1/4 of a tank. When it is at 1/4 it will take 11 gallons to fill the tank and then when it reaches E the most I have been able to put in the tank is 12.5 gallons.
But, it does NOT move from 1/4 to E or E to 1/4 when it is being parked nor does it move all over the place. So while I believe there are problems with the fuel gauge I don't have the same problem as scoops. I have owned other vehicles that the gauge would not go all the way to F or E, that if you waited for E you would be walking, and that when they reached E you still had a large reserve of fuel. The 2002 S-10 is the first one that has a fuel gauge that with favorite areas where it likes to stop and rest and then rapidly goes to it's next favorite area.

Messages Page 17 of 203

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