1988 GMC V-6

[juliasdad23]

The check engine lights and all lights lit up on my truck just before it died. The alt,starter, check out ok and it's starts back up but after 20 min it does the same thing and starts jerking. Does anyone have any ideas?

[VileZambonie]

Your lights should all come on on the dash when the key is in the RUN position. This is called the bulb check. Once the engine is running the lights should all go out unless there is a malfunction. If the engine stalls all the bulb check lights should return. = Normal

Now give more detail about your truck and your symptoms and what you have done to it so far.

[juliasdad23]

so it is normal to drive down the road and all the lights come on,then die. after that the next day do the same thing and it starts jerking

[pfouts1001]

What zambonie is saying is that as soon as the engine dies, all of the lights will come on.... just as if you turn the key to the on position without starting the engine.  Anybody would need more information to give you anything to check out for sure.  So give us more info and maybe we can help you.

73 C30 350/SM465 Dump
77 K10 350/350
02 2500HD 4X4 CC D/A

[Lt.Del]

I'd check a few things.  First and perhaps simplest is check your main ground cable, coming from battery to block.  Ensure it is tight and no corrosion in both places.  Something is causing the engine to lose current---a break in the circuit,.  


Check your positive red cable going to your starter.   If there is a lose connection there, again, it will break the circuit....that is where you main positive connects to supply your positive current.

If any of these lose connections continue, where ever the lose connection is, it will overheat and cause a fire....i would not drive it anymore until diagnosed and fixed.

This may be common sense, but, after all the above checks out, check your ignition switch. If it malfuntions, it will kill the positive current to your distributor and quit, and yes, it will make all your instr lights to come on.

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[juliasdad23]

all connections check out ok. I understand about the dash lights but what would make it jerk like it is starving for gas. the fuel pump tested fine

[DnStClr]

Since your fuel delivery is computer controlled, there are various things that can be the cause- that's why we're kinda just guessing at the cause. Having a lil bit more info when and how it dies just helps us suggest a starting point.
I'd probably start with the fuel filter replacement. a plugged filter would definitely starve your engine.  Or
bad idle air control valve   or
bad egr valve                 or
vaccum leak                  or
throttle body plate not opening  etc etc
The fuel filter should be under the passenger side door on the frame rail.  Let us know how you're doin.

Don St.Clair
Culleoka Tn