“My dash lights up like a pinball machine, the engine loses power for a few seconds, and then seems to run OK.” Although I’d actually been chasing this Diagnostic Dilemma for the better part of a year, this four-wheel drive 2001 Blazer equipped with the 4.3L Vortec engine and manual transmission otherwise appeared to be in good overall condition.
Six months earlier at 140,000 miles, I had replaced the fuel pump to correct a marginal fuel pump pressure problem. Prior to this, I attributed his “pinball machine” instrument panel complaint to a momentary engine stall caused by a weak fuel pump. As with many General Motors products of this vintage, I’d also replaced the fuel pump connector and relay to ensure against future failures, and had also cleaned and inspected all power and ground connections to address an intermittent charging system problem indicated by the instrument panel voltmeter. Future needs included replacing a weak battery and a sticking coolant thermostat.
To continue reading, click here.
You can subscribe to “TechShop: The Code Reader” podcast through your favorite podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.
