Questions and Answers
Blazer With A List
Q. My name is Eric. I am having recurring problems with my truck and can't find out what is making that happen. I have a 1993 S-10 Blazer Tahoe. 123,000 miles. All power, A/C and cruise. 4.3 liter Vortec V6 with fuel injection, and ABS.
My problems (notice there is more than one) are the ABS brakes seem to work until I slam on the brake. I get the usual popping in the pedal but a lot stronger than expected. and the car rolls instead of stops. It will roll for a second and then slowly stop and do that till it stops.
The second problem is when I make hard right turns my left side pops under the wheel well. I have replaced the shocks and upper control arm bearings and still the problem persists. The popping is loud and jolts the car upward.
The final problem is the A/C. Its just not cold and I have freon in it.
I hate to bother you with these problems its just no one wants to help me. I appreciate anything that you tell me so get back to me.
Thank you.
A. Well Eric, I'll try to help you here. You do have some difficult problems but maybe I can steer you in the right direction.
As far as the ABS problem goes, it sounds like the ABS isolation or dump valve is not working. That truck has rear wheel ABS and, basically, you have no rear brakes. The system is designed so that if there is a problem in the ABS, it reverts to normal power brakes. The fact that it keeps rolling on you really worries me.
If you jump the H and A terminals on the ALDL connector under the dash, you can pull the diagnostic codes from the ABS computer. When you jump the pins it will take 20 to 30 seconds for the codes to start displaying. Let it cycle once and then count the brake light flashes. Codes 11 through 15 indicate a bad ABS computer. if you don't get any codes take it into a shop and let them diagnose it. I would not let this go too long.
The popping in the left wheel is going to be difficult for me, I would really need to see it to be completely accurate in my diagnosis. Also, I don't know if it is 2 or 4 wheel drive and the suspensions are different. But you said hard turns so I think it's something as simple as a dry steering stop. Look on the front spindles and you will see a bolt with a thick plastic head. and a matching curved metal plate. Grease the hell out of both of them and take it for a ride. I think that will take care of it.
As for the A/C, the most common problem with that is the expansion valve. An accurate diagnosis would require a set of A/C gauges be connected to the system and pressures read to be 100% accurate. There is also an inline filter that can get clogged and cause a no cooling situation. In any case, the system would have to be evacuated and you'll need a shop that has the freon recycling equipment to do it.
