1994 Silverado Issues

Foofer · 03-05-2008, 08:36 AM

This is my first time on this forum and I"m not much of a mechanic, so bear those points in mind.

I just purchased a 1994 Silverado with a ton a miles, 197,500 to be more precise. It's got a few issues and I'm hoping to get some suggestions from you guys how to fix them.

1) The bright headlights do not work.
2) It idles a little fast.
3) Thermostat doesn't work properly. To get the heat to switch to cool, I must run the therm up to hot, down to cool a few times for it to stay on cool.
4) Brake light stays on.
5) Engine light comes on periodically.

I certainly would welcome any and all suggestions or solutions. Thanks.

crabtruck · 03-05-2008, 10:39 AM

Welcome to the forum Foofer.
What truck is this: 1500, 2500, 3500 ?
4wd ? eng size ? tranny ? color ?

1) briites don't switch with low or low goes off, no brite ?
2) what rpm you have ? a 5.7 will idle 900 cold and 600 warm.
3) could be a bad mode relay or motor
4) Does the light brighten with the e-brake ?
Try disconnecting brake combo valve wire near master. Then try disconnecting ABS 6-wire connector.
Could be many things, but a truck this hi milage and new to you should have the pads and shoes inspected.
5) Engine light should probably have been #1 for checking out. You need to see what codes are stored in computer.
Many threads on this here if you don't know how. Some parts store chains will check them for you for free.
Suggest you by a Chilton or Haynes book for this truck,
will help make things clearer both when you're looking at truck and when hearing from us.

Foofer · 03-05-2008, 11:36 AM

Sorry for the lack of info. It's 4x4, 1500 series with a v6 4.3 Liter. Auto transmission.

I purchased a idling sensor (I guess that's what is called). Kind of looks like a sparkplug on sterioids

, but haven't installed it yet. There is no tach to show me the rpms, but if I were guessing I would say it's idling around 2500 or so. Maybe a little more.

The dim lights work fine, but when you pull back the switch or shaft for bright lights, there are no lights that appear. It's flat out dark. Pull back again on the switch, the dims come on.

Thanks.

Hayden · 03-05-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

I purchased a idling sensor (I guess that's what is called). Kind of looks like a sparkplug on sterioids

Are you sure thats not an Oxygen sensor?

03chevy · 03-05-2008, 01:07 PM

brake lights stay on because the brake light switch is wore out. easy fix get a brake light switch and in a uncomfort position lay on your back under the dash with the brake pedal one plug in and a clip (on my truck). high beams did you try new ones to see if that was the problem if not then its the switch. for the engine light just go to autozone and have them put it on a scanner to see why. and they do it for free!

crabtruck · 03-05-2008, 04:34 PM

Idles at 2500 ? That must be real fun to drop into gear.
Agree that the e-brake pedal switch may be the problem, that's why I asked about light getting brighter.
You can do a quick check at headlamp socket with a voltmeter to see if the hot is present when you switch to highs.
Could be just both bulbs burnt.

Pull the codes on the truck at a store or with a paperclip from A to B on the ALDL.
Here's some related threads:
Check Engine Light?
Service Engine Soon?
There are plenty others, makes a nice companion to the book you're gonna buy.

Foofer · 03-05-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayden

Are you sure thats not an Oxygen sensor?

Its an idle air control valve. Sorry, I thought it was a sensor. I've had so many people tell me different things, its hard to keep it straight. The guys at autozone said to give it try, so that's going to be my first attempt at fixing the high idle.

Foofer · 03-05-2008, 08:03 PM

Which repair manual is the best between Haynes and Chilton's? Or, is it six or one half dozen of the other?

keithr0005005 · 03-05-2008, 09:42 PM

i prefer haynes

crabtruck · 03-05-2008, 10:31 PM

I don't actually like either because while there is tons of detail on some stuff,
the things I want they stop short on. Leaves me feeling like they said
"If truck is low on gas and your kid sister can't tell you what's wrong, it's dealer only job"
That's why I bought the factory books on my truck....which is a 94 silverado.
Can't beat the chilton/haynes price by comparison though. They'll both get you started.
And the factory books contain many errors.
Get one of the books and if between that and the knowledge from the folks here
leaves a gap I can try to send you the relevant pages.
You need to pull the codes though, did I mention that ?

03-05-2008, 01:07 PM	#5
03chevy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jax,fl Posts: 1,196	brake lights stay on because the brake light switch is wore out. easy fix get a brake light switch and in a uncomfort position lay on your back under the dash with the brake pedal one plug in and a clip (on my truck). high beams did you try new ones to see if that was the problem if not then its the switch. for the engine light just go to autozone and have them put it on a scanner to see why. and they do it for free! __________________ A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste!

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03-05-2008, 08:36 AM	#1
Foofer Full Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fairborn, OH Posts: 17	1994 Silverado Issues This is my first time on this forum and I"m not much of a mechanic, so bear those points in mind. I just purchased a 1994 Silverado with a ton a miles, 197,500 to be more precise. It's got a few issues and I'm hoping to get some suggestions from you guys how to fix them. 1) The bright headlights do not work. 2) It idles a little fast. 3) Thermostat doesn't work properly. To get the heat to switch to cool, I must run the therm up to hot, down to cool a few times for it to stay on cool. 4) Brake light stays on. 5) Engine light comes on periodically. I certainly would welcome any and all suggestions or solutions. Thanks.

03-05-2008, 10:39 AM	#2
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,135	Welcome to the forum Foofer. What truck is this: 1500, 2500, 3500 ? 4wd ? eng size ? tranny ? color ? 1) briites don't switch with low or low goes off, no brite ? 2) what rpm you have ? a 5.7 will idle 900 cold and 600 warm. 3) could be a bad mode relay or motor 4) Does the light brighten with the e-brake ? Try disconnecting brake combo valve wire near master. Then try disconnecting ABS 6-wire connector. Could be many things, but a truck this hi milage and new to you should have the pads and shoes inspected. 5) Engine light should probably have been #1 for checking out. You need to see what codes are stored in computer. Many threads on this here if you don't know how. Some parts store chains will check them for you for free. Suggest you by a Chilton or Haynes book for this truck, will help make things clearer both when you're looking at truck and when hearing from us.

03-05-2008, 11:36 AM	#3
Foofer Full Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fairborn, OH Posts: 17	Sorry for the lack of info. It's 4x4, 1500 series with a v6 4.3 Liter. Auto transmission. I purchased a idling sensor (I guess that's what is called). Kind of looks like a sparkplug on sterioids , but haven't installed it yet. There is no tach to show me the rpms, but if I were guessing I would say it's idling around 2500 or so. Maybe a little more. The dim lights work fine, but when you pull back the switch or shaft for bright lights, there are no lights that appear. It's flat out dark. Pull back again on the switch, the dims come on. Thanks.

03-05-2008, 04:34 PM	#6
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,135	Idles at 2500 ? That must be real fun to drop into gear. Agree that the e-brake pedal switch may be the problem, that's why I asked about light getting brighter. You can do a quick check at headlamp socket with a voltmeter to see if the hot is present when you switch to highs. Could be just both bulbs burnt. Pull the codes on the truck at a store or with a paperclip from A to B on the ALDL. Here's some related threads: Check Engine Light? Service Engine Soon? There are plenty others, makes a nice companion to the book you're gonna buy.

03-05-2008, 08:03 PM	#8
Foofer Full Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fairborn, OH Posts: 17	Which repair manual is the best between Haynes and Chilton's? Or, is it six or one half dozen of the other?

03-05-2008, 09:42 PM	#9
keithr0005005 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 156	i prefer haynes

03-05-2008, 10:31 PM	#10
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,135	I don't actually like either because while there is tons of detail on some stuff, the things I want they stop short on. Leaves me feeling like they said "If truck is low on gas and your kid sister can't tell you what's wrong, it's dealer only job" That's why I bought the factory books on my truck....which is a 94 silverado. Can't beat the chilton/haynes price by comparison though. They'll both get you started. And the factory books contain many errors. Get one of the books and if between that and the knowledge from the folks here leaves a gap I can try to send you the relevant pages. You need to pull the codes though, did I mention that ?