[drglinski]

Hi guys.

I've got a non-cub cadet engine related issue on my truck, and I was wondering if someone could help point me in a direction to look/consider before I start throwing parts and $$ at a problem that might not need parts. Here's what I'm going through:

1997 S 10. 4.3 liter engine. 150,800 miles. 2 wd.
Outside temp: just under 20 degrees F
New battery: January 2015
Fuel: 3/4 full tank

I had trouble getting the ole girl going today leaving work. It cranked twice, stopped for a second, then started cranking again. (all with the key in the start position.) Started up, chugged a bit, and stalled. I was able to get it going the next time I engaged the starter.

Once she was running, I put it in Drive, and it darn near stalled out again. Taking it down the road during the first 1/4 mile it was chugging. IE it normally idles about 500 RPM and it was dipping to 300 then back to 500 and down again. The automatic trans. was also shifting at a much higher RPM than usual. Taking my foot off the accelerator and she'd drop power and almost stall. (it never did, but felt like it wanted to.) The engine warmed up, and after 1/2 mile it operated normally. The gauge on the dash is showing the alternator is putting out approx. 15 volts when running.


Any thoughts? I've done some research on it and things are pointing to the coolant temp. sensor. (?)

Thanks!