dies at low idle speeds, when put into gear and when stopped.

[oldred85]

I just got this 85 c10, its in great condition except she dies when the rpms drop. For example when I put it into gear or come to a stop. If i hold the gas to keep the rpms up she stays on but its a pain slipping it into neutral coming up to stops, and parking is a nightmare.
My best guesses are old fuel, carburetor, distributer, or some sort of vacuum leak. This is my first time owning a classic so most of whats under the hood is new to me, any other ideas on why its dying on me?

 

[cadillac_al]

A vacuum leak will cause that but it could be a lot of things. I wonder if the ignition and carb/choke is tuned to spec.

 

[83Stepper]

A lot of things missing here from the post friend. What's the engine rpm when coming up to a stop or idle? Auto or manual trans, any other "odd" things happening while she's running like sputtering, chugging, misfiring?

 

[fast 99]

Yes hard to diagnose with little information. When did this start? A good inspection for tune up related items, plugs, timing, could reveal a lot. Could be as simple as adjusting idle speed. No computers on these trucks.

 

[Sad Sack]

Just curious, what kinda carb?
But so many things can cause your issue. Stuck open EGR valve, needle and float assembly issue, fuel pump pressure, vacuum, etc. That year also has a ESC or whatever its called behind the glove box (not too familiar with them when going bad so...). The guys here will have some valuable ideas to troubleshoot!

 

[Sad Sack]

If it's a possible ESC issue, you can bypass it to further troubleshoot with one of these things:

Pardon Our Interruption...

Click Here

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

For its use.

 

[ASPEC]

Alot of the advise and direction we can give you is going to depend on your skill level... do you have any experience working on carbureted engines? It won't do you any good if we have you check part A or setting B if you don't know where or what they are... not throwing shade, just need to know where to have you start...

 

[Edelbrock]

This is my first time owning a classic so most of whats under the hood is new to me, any other ideas on why its dying on me?

Sounds like he/she is new to the game. I would be happy to diagnose it in person and help them out with the problem free of charge, but I'm not in that area. Is there anyone in Texas that would be willing to take a look at it, and report the findings in this thread?

 

[CountKrunk]

They'll be able to learn. That's a reason for getting old pieces of **** like these trucks haha.

 

[82sbshortbed]

That's a big reason I got two square body's. I hate computers on a vehicle. My 2015 camaro is the only one with a computer. Lol

 

[Edelbrock]

That's a big reason I got two square body's. I hate computers on a vehicle. My 2015 camaro is the only one with a computer. Lol

I used to hate computers in cars, but once time want on and the type of vehicle that I was repairing had OBD2, things got a lot easier. It actually got to the point where OBD2 vehicles were easier to diagnose and fix compared to out old school rigs. But once I got back into working on this older stuff, things evened out. So now, old or new if fine, but I still hate the middle ground OBD1 stuff that have things like throttle body fuel injection.

 

[fast 99]

I still hate the middle ground OBD1 stuff

Some of the early Ford OBD1 stuff didn't have a scanable data stream, I agree.

GM TBI is a simple system fairly easy to diagnose.

 

[YakkoWarner]

I used to hate computers in cars, but once time want on and the type of vehicle that I was repairing had OBD2, things got a lot easier. It actually got to the point where OBD2 vehicles were easier to diagnose and fix compared to out old school rigs. But once I got back into working on this older stuff, things evened out. So now, old or new if fine, but I still hate the middle ground OBD1 stuff that have things like throttle body fuel injection.

I'm with you on that - both me (and my bank account) are feeling the pain of dealing with OBD1. Why did they have to make accessing the data from OBD1 so close to impossible? Or was it on purpose so you had to depend on your dealership for assistance?

I'm not even sure my repair shop actually decoded the OBD1 data...next time I'm up there I am giong to ask them.

 

[Ricko1966]

I'm with you on that - both me (and my bank account) are feeling the pain of dealing with OBD1. Why did they have to make accessing the data from OBD1 so close to impossible? Or was it on purpose so you had to depend on your dealership for assistance?

I'm not even sure my repair shop actually decoded the OBD1 data...next time I'm up there I am giong to ask them.

OBD 1 wasn't in GM trucks until 91( IDK what year you have) prior to that was GM ALDL proprietary. Even after OBD 1 came out it wasn't standardized like OBD2. lots of manufacturers had their own methods and protocol for reading data. Ford used several versions of EEC that was their system VW used V A G idk who all used what. Then in 94 GM did an update to OBD 1.5. Prior to OBD2 they could all be aPITA to read data. Ford even had to have a break out box. But the GM flash codes are sure simple and handy. I very much doubt GM had some conspiracy to make you go to the dealership I think it was more CARB has forced us to monitor emissions equipment,so we will,I think getting together with all the other car manufacturers to come up with one system was something no one wanted to spend the time and money on. Then they were forced to. Think about it though,91 wasn't that pre windows for computers? IT. wasn't what it is now.

 

[YakkoWarner]

OBD 1 wasn't in GM trucks until 91( IDK what year you have) prior to that was GM ALDL proprietary. Even after OBD 1 came out it wasn't standardized like OBD2 lots of manufacturers had their own methods and protocol for reading data. Ford used several versions of EEC that was their system VW used V A G idk who all used what. Then in 94 GM did an update to OBD 1.5. Prior to OBD2 they could all be aPITA to read data. Ford even had to have a break our box. But the GM flash codes are sure simple and handy. I very much doubt GM had some conspiracy to make you go to the dealership I think it was more CARB has forced us to monitor emissions equipment,so we will I think getting together with all the other car manufacturers to come up with one system was something no one wanted to spend the time and money on. Then they were forced to. Think about it though,91 wasn't that pre windows for computers? IT wasn't what it is now.

I have 1989 so I guess that makes it ALDL, I always believed OBD1 and ALDL were the same.

The flash codes are easy enough to access, but not always the most helpful because multiple things can cause the same final result (example: a lean run condition could be caused by a faulty MAP sensor, O2 sensor, thottle postion sensor, temp sensor - or an actual mechanical problem like vacuum leaks, exhaust problems or injector issues). It can tell you "something is wrong" but isn't particularly willing to tell you why. Without more data than an error code its a detective puzzle to figure it out.

I think Windows 3.x was out by 1990 or so, but I wouldn't swear to it in a courtroom. I was too hung up in alternate platforms at that point to pay much attention to what Microsoft was doing.