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O.T. GM Vortec

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Richard(WY)

12-26-2001 20:16:52




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I realize that I am opening up a large can of worms here, but I need some advice. My 1996 GMC 1/2ton PU has the new Vortec engine in it. I keep getting a "check engine soon" light on the dash and invariably it is one of the oxygen sensors that gets replaced. Why does this happen so often and is there a cure? This is cutting in to my N money for my restoration. I have heard it is from running alcohol in the gasoline. Well Colorado and Nebraska and some parts here in Wyoming all have that 10%ethanol added. Thanks.

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Ron IN

12-27-2001 19:35:11




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 Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-26-2001 20:16:52  
Richard Do you now what DTC it keeps setting? Is it more that 1 code? The 96-97 GM`s OBD2 systems can be to sencitive, and having a GM dealer load in the latest program may help. But first I would make sure that you dont have a problem with 1 of them sensors. There are 4 of them heated O2 sensors on your engine and Just replacing 1 of them can get pricy so be sure. Also there is about 50 different things that can turn that lite on. I would not just start throughing parts at it, that could cost you alot more in the long run. Get us more info and I can see if I can help. Ron IN

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Richard(WY)

12-27-2001 21:04:12




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 Re: Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Ron IN, 12-27-2001 19:35:11  
Thanks. did find that the fuel filter was dirty. I followed the advice here and disconnected the battery for a while. It reset and is running ok now. I have not put it on the highway yet. What do you know about the alcohol in the fuel? Almost every station has 10% alcohol here noted on the pumps.



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Ron IN

12-28-2001 19:50:25




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 Re: Re: Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-27-2001 21:04:12  
Richard If the fuel fiter fixed your problem you should have had a DTC set for a lean condition witch if its been 30k or 2 years then that was needed anyway(sometimes more often with the gas we get today)The alcohal in the fuel today can set DTCs and with out the latest updates in your PCM you are running on programing that was set for the fuel in 96 insted 2001(it has changed). Your lite may not come on for 2 complete drive cycles or till the conditions are met again. If it comes on again let me no and I will see if I can help ya. Do you no what DTC it was setting befor? Ron IN

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Richard(WY)

12-28-2001 22:03:05




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Ron IN, 12-28-2001 19:50:25  
thanks Ron, the light came on again. I dont know what DTC is let alone what the setting is or was!



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Ron IN

12-29-2001 19:06:09




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-28-2001 22:03:05  
Richard DTC stands for diagnostic trubble code and that is set in your computer whenever that lite comes on. The only way to retreve the code is with a scan tool on 96 and newer GM cars and trucks. On 95 and older you can flash the codes out with the check engine lite,but that is a differant story. When you had it in the shop last time and thay diagnos your problem did they rite down the DTC on your repair order?Or any info on what it was gonna take to repair it? If so that mite help me with your problem (if its still setting the same DTC)Sorry for the bad spelling. If you need help just drop me an Email. Ron IN

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Sarge

12-27-2001 07:54:41




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 Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-26-2001 20:16:52  
Richard try this site,www.gnttype.org/maint/malf.html, will list every malfuntion code and what it means. My suburban lite came on and I took it to the Local Pep boys auto fix it place. Charged me $70.00 dollars to diagnose. I have a 1988 so the readout was not specific, old computer. Said they had to do a tune up and new wires. I gave them 70.00 and did the tune up myself. Lite still came on. Took it back. No charge for diagnosis again. Told me needed fuel filter replaced. took it home and did that. Took it back again, lite still on. No charge again. This time found bad ignition module. they replaced, no problems since. You have to sometimes eliminate possible causes until you find culprit. Find someone that will work with you to find problem and arm yourself with the list of codes from the GM website. Good luck

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Dave in Iowa

12-27-2001 06:21:47




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 Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-26-2001 20:16:52  
Had a '96 Suburban with the Vortec in it that did the same thing. I ran alcohol fuel from day one. From around 40k mile to 70k miles had the same problem + ocassionally it idled very rough. Two things that helped... New fuel filter, and had the GM dealer download the latest version of software into the on-board computer. Seems they had made some fixes. From 70k miles until I sold it at 170k miles it ran great no problems. PS. I had a '94 Suburban with the standard (non-vortec) engine before the '96. A BIG difference!

Good luck!

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MERRILL

12-26-2001 22:30:22




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 Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-26-2001 20:16:52  
RICHARD, CHECK YOUR OWNERS MANUAL UNDER WARNING LIGHT, IT EXPLAINS THIS, ITS THE ALCOHOL,IT DRAWS THE MOISTURE OUT OF THE AIR THE GOOD THING IS IT WONT FREEZE "ALCOHOL" KEEPS IT FLOWING. BUT YOUR ENGINE BRAIN KNOWS ITS NOT FUEL AND IT PICKS UP THE SLIGHTEST MISS,AND TRIPS THE LIGHT, THE BEST ACTION IS TO USE GOOD QUAILTY FUEL, CHANGE STATIONS, IT SHOULD RESET AFTER A SHORT TIME, AGAIN YOUR OWNERS MANUAL EXPAINS THIS. NEXT TIME HAVE THE MAINTANCE TECH EXPLAIN HOW THE OXYGEN SENSOR CAN CAUSE THIS? BET YOU GET A REAL SONG AND DANCE, YOU HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF.

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Bill from MO

12-26-2001 20:26:32




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 Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-26-2001 20:16:52  
My 97, 350 vortec was doing this! I disconnected the battery and reconnected after a few minutes to reset computer. It would keep coming on! A friend of mine said I better replace the fuel filter. I did and it solved the prolem!



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Richard(WY)

12-26-2001 20:46:46




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 Re: Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Bill from MO, 12-26-2001 20:26:32  
thanks, probably wouldn't hurt. It has been a while I think. It comes on when I am going up a long hill or putting a load on it quickly like passing. Thanks again.



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JDP

12-26-2001 20:19:22




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 Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to Richard(WY), 12-26-2001 20:16:52  
Have you taken it to a GM dealer for a full readout? There might be something else wrong in that electrical system that is causing that sensor to go bad.



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Richard(WY)

12-26-2001 20:21:45




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 Re: Re: O.T. GM Vortec in reply to JDP, 12-26-2001 20:19:22  
Yep that is what they keep coming up with. Even the NAPA mechanic comes up with the same.



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