1987 Chevy Suburban

1987 Chevy Suburban questions and answers

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Q: DIY How do you change an IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE?
I have a 1987 chevy suburban and my idle air control valve went out. Can someone tell me the steps to change it. Thanks Fuel Injection 350

A: disconnect the 4 wire connector at the sensor. Using a deep well socket remove the sensor. Clean the area at the point where the valve tip would contact the throttle body casting. Install the new sensor. Make sure to remove any clip on the new valve pintle. Reconnect the 4 wire connector. Start the engine. The engine will rev high for a minute until the ECM repositions the pintle. Shut off the engine. Wait 30 seconds. Restart the engine and check for a correct idle.

Q: 1987 Chevolet SUBURBAN???
I have a 87 Chevy Suburban and need tobuy a idle air control valve but I dont know the exact model. Its a Silverado edition, 1 ton? (I think), with a 5.7L 350 fuel injection engine. Now, what im confused about is that the parts are labeled with Suburban: C10, C20, R10, R20, V10, V20 So does anyone know which one is right for my truck? The parts look different so I want to make sure Im getting the right part. Thanks

A: Well they dont make a 1ton suburban its either 1/2 or 3/4 if its a 4x4 thens its a v10 if its a 1/2 or v20 if its a 3/4 ton and r10 or r 20 if its a 2 wheel drive.

Q: Older Chevy Suburban weight capacity?
I have a 1987 5.7 fuel injected Chevrolet Suburban, and I was wanting to load heavy stuff in it, but I don't know whats the max weight limit. Does anyone know? if it helps i was told when i got emissions that it weighs 2 1/2 tons (5000 lbs.) itself! so how much weight can it carry inside? *p.s. not towing

A: consider the age of the suspension and the previous usage.. are you going short or long distance? and on the highways? My advice based on these conditions are,1) if short and slow, you are much better off,than long and at highway speeds.. remember your braking abilities are as critical as anythingelse. So, if you HAVE to get on the hiway, go slow, 55 mph max. keep a good following distance, and going slow will help. and look at your front suspension, measure the hieght from the tire to the ouside edge of the fender, and don't let it get more than 2" taller. When you load the rear the frt end will rise, causing the steering to change, because the frt suspension swings in an arc, and if you can put as much weight forward as you can.. you can try to look at the vin sticker in the door jamb.. it might have the gvw, which is the toal weight of the trk and your load, its capacity total. If you are going long distance, stay close to this, and subtract 10 % for safety sake.. and if you have family w/ you be extra careful.. drive slowly, 55 mph because they are your most precious cargo. If I had to guess at a weight capicity, I would say 1500 lbs, for passengers and cargo.

Q: Updated 1987 suburban not charging?
Okay Im wondering if the alternator is the wrong one. Mine is for an 88 bc the 87 was totally different from my wiring harness. If u know about chevy 350 engines mine has a plug with a 2 wires (one pink/black and one brown) from the loom to the fuse panel. Then it also has the prong on the alternator that has a red wire coming to it and a wire going to the pos. of the battery, the fan on the alternator is open( not the circle closed one if u know what im talking about). But the alternator DID CHARGE FINE on the bench test, and the wires going to it are live. So ?????

A: Come on.. you have already answered your question.. if the alternator is charging on the bench test and it will not charge your battery.. then you have no connection between the alternator and the battery.. YOU HAVE THE WRONG ALTERNATOR.. OR THE WRONG WIRING HARNESS.. call the parts store and get the right one.. also there may be a way of adjusting the wiring.. but I wouldn't..

Q: My burbans makin noise up front?
I HAVE A 1987 CHEVY SUBURBAN 4X4,MY PROBLEM IS THAT WITH THE TRANSFER IN 2 WHEEL,BUT WITH THE FRONT HUBS LOCKED THE TRUCK VIBRATES WHEN I DO ABOUT 55 60 MPH,IT DOSENT DO IT THOUGH WHEN THE HUBS ARE IN THE FREE POSITION ,IM GANNA REPLACE THE FRONT AND BACK U JOINTS ANYWAY BUT COULD THAT BE THE PROB OR COULD IT BE THE HUBS?MABYE SOMTHING WITH THE FRONT AXLE PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME I GOT 2 CARS AND SOMTHINGS ALWAYS WRONG WITH ONE OF THEM?

A: the problem is your spinning your front driveshaft at 55 mph, it wasnt meant for that speed. also your front ujoints could be shot or the axle joints. everything sounds ok otherwise.

Q: Car Problem Please Help?
I was driving my 1987 Chevy Suburban yesterday and around the ninth block traveled, it died. I was only going 20-25 mph in my neighborhood. At the ninth block the electrical things like the radio died out then the engine shut off. The brakes lhad locked up. Fortunately I could start right away and drive it right back home. UNFORTUNATELY, now the truck isn't working. I started it a couple times at first but it had to turnover for awhile. But once it was running it would shake and the truck shut off by itself again. I started it again, and when I gave it gas while in park the power would die and the truck would shut off. Then I tried to start again, but now it would take really long to start up, but then would die right after. And when it did it sounded like the serpentine belts were getting stuck, or something (i dont know) - something was not right. NOW it starts up fast, but it dies right away. Please help. let me know if you are a real mechan ic or are just guessing Thanks

A: It sounds like you were running off your battery, because your alternator wasn't charging. You need to charge the battery. If you have test equipment like a test light, check the red wire going to the back of your alternator for power. If there is power, there is a good chance the alternator went out and the battery alterthe load anymore. If there is no power to the alternator, and you know the battery is good, check your fuses. It also sounds like your truck is starving for fuel. It could be that there isn't enough voltage going to the fuel pump. Yes I am ASE certified, but you won't get much better than a guess from anyone who isn't there to see the problems firsthand. I think you have several problems, especially if your brakes locked up.

Q: Car Problem! Need Help ASAP?
I was driving my 1987 Chevy Suburban yesterday and around the ninth block traveled, it died. I was only going 20-25 mph in my neighborhood. At the ninth block the electrical things like the radio died out then the engine shut off. The brakes lhad locked up. Fortunately I could start right away and drive it right back home. UNFORTUNATELY, now the truck isn't working. I started it a couple times at first but it had to turnover for awhile. But once it was running it would shake and the truck shut off by itself again. I started it again, and when I gave it gas while in park the power would die and the truck would shut off. Then I tried to start again, but now it would take really long to start up, but then would die right after. And when it did it sounded like the serpentine belts were getting stuck, or something (i dont know) - something was not right. NOW it starts up fast, but it dies right away. Please help. let me know if you are a real mechan ic or are just guessing Thanks

A: Not many REAL "mekaniks" out here. You have some problems that don't seem to be conneted, the engine starting and stalling sounds like a fuel pump problem. You need to get a pressure check on it. Things like the radio quit and the engine died could be related to a bad battery connection which could also stop the fuel pump. The brakes locked I would not guess. Hard to diagnose with so many things wrong at once.

Q: Car Trouble, Please HELP?
YESTERDAY I was driving my 1987 Chevy Suburban yesterday, around the ninth block traveled, it died. I was only going 20-25 mph in my neighborhood. At the ninth block the electrical things like the radio died out then the engine shut off. The brakes lhad locked up. Fortunately I could start right away and drive it back home TODAY, now the truck isn't working. I started it a couple times at first but it had to turnover for awhile. But once it was running it would shake and the truck shut off by itself again. I started it again, and when I gave it gas while in park the power would die and the truck would shut off. Then I tried to start again, but now it would take really long to start up, but then would die right after. And when it did it sounded like the serpentine belts were getting stuck, or something (i dont know) - something was not right. NOW it starts up fast, but it dies right away let me know if you are a real mechanic or just guessing so I really know what to do Thank

A: Your SUV needs the timing replaced it jumped timing and the timing chain is worn and has slack. its easy to repair but the down side is that it has to go to a good repair shop. if a Family member that knows engines and like cars they can fix it in about 6 hrs on a weekend. total cost for parts is under $120.00 Timing chain kit cost $35- $65.

Q: Car Prblem! Need Help ASAP?
I was driving my 1987 Chevy Suburban, (I had only drivin a total of 8-9 blocks) then all of the sudden at the ninth block the truck was losing power and shut it self off in 3seconds. Then little after I started it up and it sounded fine, even better, sounded like it had more power. But I still don't want it to die again. So does anyone know what the problem is? I think it was either not getting enough gas or the battery was dying. I think its the battery because the truck was dying slowly, not instantly??? I'm not sure though So what the problem and how do I fix it? Thanks! And if this helps, I was hauling 500+ lbs. of laminate flooring in the back seat and was only going about 20-25 mph through the neighborhood and I only had the radio on AND also when the car died it was still rolling so I tried to use the brakes, but they locked up for some reason, so I had to put the truck in park I had just changed the oil and the fuel filter about a month ago and only drove three days a week and not very far The truck starts up, but everyday it takes longer to start up in the morning and could the engine possibly seize? it still gets gas, but I dont think its getting enough. But is it a real bad idea to drive it? just a little? already changed the fuel filter, but I'll try to clean the air filter. I HEARD THE SAME PROBLEM BEING THE ALTERNATOR NOT WORKING PROPERLLY, COULD THIS BE THE PROBLEM??? Or could it be spark plugs? Or could it be spark plugs?

A: Quick easy way to check the alternator is start it and then unhook the battery. Or use a voltage meter to the main output of the alt. and it should be somewhere around 13 volts...

Q: Where do I go to get info on axel's with just a part or stamp# FROM THE AXLE?
I have axel's and I need to get info on gear ratio, etc. it came from a chevy suburban possible year 1987. All i have is the number by the axel 6z6g2641. any info is appreciated.

A: Remove the inspection plate on the differential then count the number of teeth on your ring gear and divide by the number of teeth on your pinion gear the result is your axle ratio.The axle shafts were 28 spline prior to 1989 ,and it should have limited slip also.

Q: Queston on chevy Dist, on V8's?
I have messed with chevys all my life. I learned on the old 55 to 72 point dist then I know about the HEI in my 76 camaro ( no points) and now I am playing around with a 1987 suburban dist that looks smaller. with the coil off to the side. It also looks like there is some data wires going to the trucks EFI system. My problem is that I am pulling out the EFI and just going to a simple Holley carb set up. What dist should I swap in that is low buck.

A: Be careful when you mess with the newer systems as they are interconnected to meet air pollution standards. If you change and it runs you may not pass your smog test and therefore will not be able to get the vehicle licensed.

Q: i have a chevy s-10 that wont start, im getting no fuel to the TBI unit?
Its a 1987 s-10 with a SB 350 In it, im guessing its out of a suburban or a full size blazer.. it has TBI... One day the truck just stalled out on me... I dont know much about these things but Im guessing its the Fuel pump..what kind of voltage should be going to the fuel pump? This truck is so rigged up... i dont even know where to start..

A: Fuel pump should be getting 12 volts. Does the Truck turn?? And where is the pump on this truck? If it's in the gas tank lie on the ground near the tank and have someone turn the truck on but don't try to start it. As soon as the truck is turned on you should hear the pump engage. if you hear nothing then either the fuse or pump is bad.

Q: Help! 1987 chevy suburban 1/2 ton not charging battery. New alternator, Battery, checked grounds.?
Hey Yahoo, many think its my wire from the alternator to the starter wire that may be bad. I havent got the chance to change it but im gonna when its warm tommorow. my questions is where is a place I may be able to buy one just like it with fusible links in it? or can I upgrade it to a different wire without worrying about it causing a fire if anything went wrong? I've read 10 gauge would be fine with no fuses put inline, does that sound fine? any input is appreciated.

A: yes u an buy the wire at auto parts store such as autozone etc.. if you go through the dealer you will defintley gonna pay for it.. if you want to run a different wire thats no problem either and can actually save you some $$ 10 gauge will be suffecient and pretty much up to you . I personally owned a 3/4 ton suburban and done the exact same to mine. i had problems with starters also 454 v8 and the heat was melting the starter switches.so many $$$$ in heat shields and finally jumped across the starter switch on starter and run wire up to the fender firewall and mounted a ford switch kept it out the heat and that fixed it. i run 10 gauge wire and i did put a inline fuse block in mine fuse block is unexpensive . and is a safe manner. good luck.. hope it helps..