Questions and Answers

S-10 Ate My Wires

Q. I have a question about my 1987 S-10 Blazer. I had a new engine (2.8L) installed two months ago. Some wires for the oil sensor unit got caught up in the 4-wheel drive shaft and wires got tore up. I got the problem fixed and I have a warrantee from the shop that installed the engine. The problem is they won't honor the warrantee. They say that it is common for the wire carriages coming apart in that model of vehicle and it's not their problem. They claim it is a fault in the 1987 Blazers and that this type of thing happens a lot. What I am wondering is have you ever heard of anything like this happening. They say that the connections vibrate apart.

Thanks for your time.

A. In my opinion, it may not have been directly their fault. Knowing it is a problem and doing nothing to anticipate and prevent it, they did you a disservice. And by knowing it and not doing anything, they are indirectly responsible.

All harness connectors have a clip or some other device to lock them together and prevent them from vibrating loose. It's possible that when they connected that particular connector they broke the locking tab off. If this was the case, there are ways to repair this and just letting it go is sloppy workmanship.

I have never heard of this particular problem, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. But I have been in similar situations and have taken steps to insure a possible problem doesn't result in an irritated customer.