Expert: Robert Summers - 10/19/2007

Question
Hello,

My '88 Chevrolet S10 (4cyl, 5speed, 2WD) has a problem in 1st and 2nd gears when you accelerate. As you give it gas it sometimes stutters (hesitates) and usually pushes through and starts running smoothly until you get into 2nd gear, when the same thing happens again. It rarely if ever happens  when you hit 3rd gear. It was really bad yesterday to the point where it would stall, and today it is barely noticeable.

Any help would be appreciated. The first mechanic to look at it said it was a compression problem and the engine was shot, though it began to run fine again for 8 months until recently. A second mechanic is now saying it's the MAP sensor, though he didn't seem too certain.

Thanks.

Keith

Answer
You don't say if the shutter is in the trans or engine. i will assume it's the engine. because it's an intermittant problem it sounds like it's electrical. check first for corrosion in any connector first. try a wiggle test while truck is running, is there any codes? always start checking at the obvious.I just did one a while ago that ended up being the distrubtor same kind of problem.