Chevy S10 shudder/stumble

mommucked

mommucked

Endeavoring to persevere
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Location
Rural Apex n.c.
It's happened before a year or so ago and has come back recently. 98 LS 2wd 4.3 auto, while cruising 45-55 w not much throttle it will stumble or shudder/shake very noticeable, If i give it the gas it accelerates and the stumbling stops. It does'nt happen at all driving in 3rd. Could it be the torque converter? or the tranny trying to downshift but not getting done? the trans was rebuilt by a pro w a new TC a year before it started the first time, and it went away by itself after a month or so.
 
Very similar symptoms to what a lot of 4.3's from the late 90's have. Often, it is the distributor gear worn out, allowing the timing to float, and causing a random misfire. At idle, or under hard acceleration, it doesn't do it, but just cruising at highway speeds will buck and stumble. A new dist, cap, rotor, plugs and wires usually solves the problem.
Pull the dist. if there is any wear on the gear, it needs to be replaced. Sometimes you can get away with just replacing the gear itself, but often, it's easier and better in the long run to replace the whole thing.
 
transman was right, the shudder instantly stops w a light touch on the brake and the tach jumps 500rpm. He has answered a PM and given me more advice I'm thankfull for, and obviously he's like all the NC4X4 peeps, a great person to know or consider a friend, even if not met in person.......yet. :beer:
 
One tube of Dr. Trannys shudder stop cured it as soon as I left the driveway. I gave it another one 2 days later and it seems like it's even better now, shudder is gone, upshifts seem faster/smoother and takes more peddle to make it downshift.
 
To me, every stock GM 4 speed auto feels like that. I can't stand driving one, especially in the mountains. If it's not shuddering, it's downshifting and jumping between gears. Maybe it's just me since I always drive a 5 speed.
 
I'd blow my knee out driving a stick dd in the way too busy, local stop and go traffic. This truck is only the second auto iv'e owned and I would prefer a straight drive also!
 
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