Engine question

[Masterd]

I've got another interesting issue that decided to rear its head a few days ago.

I took a long freeway drive over to a friends house, and shut the truck off and went inside his place for about 10 minutes. When I got back into the truck to leave, I fired it up and noticed that it was only running on 5 cylinders...so I shut it off and restarted it and it was still running on 5, with no CEL. I stomped the gas a few times and finally the 6th cylinder decided to join the fun.

I don't have any leads on this issue, because it never set a code and the computer was clean of any stored codes. But after I let the truck sit again, this time for longer, there was no issue and hasnt been since.

Im thinking it was a fluke...any advice?

 

[walterd140]

Maybe. When was the last time you changed the plugs & wires? How about the coil pack?

 

[Noved1987]

they make a cheap tool you put over the plug wire to see if your getting puwer to the plug. i would buy one and keep it with you incase it does it again. they are less than $20at any auto part store.

 

[mikeinri]

Have you tried a KOER test?

Mike

 

[rustbucketMI]

You sure it was only running on 5 and not running poorly on 6? I had an issue where it was running poorly on 6 and felt like 5. Turned out ot be the MAF

 

[Masterd]

I'm sure it was 5. When I would rev it up lightly, you could hear it really well.

Plugs don't have much mileage on em, and I changed the wires at the same time. I guess next time it does it, if it happens again, Ill let it idle like that for a while and see if it gives me the CEL

Mikeinri - Yes.

 

[socialDK]

This may be dumb question but how do you know cylinders aren't running? ive recently had starting issues with my '91 first the battery gauge was low and the engine was lugging then died then it did the same thing but battery gauge slowly creeped up and ran normal. Any ideas?

 

[Masterd]

If you want to know exactly what the motor sounds like running on 5....unplug one of the wires from the coil pack with the truck off, and start it. Be careful not to get shocked.