1983 Chevrolet K1500 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

sending unit inside tank bad

It sounds like the carburator needs to be rebuilt. If you have to hold it to the floor to get it to start that means it's flooded. So, the carburator is leaking gas into the engine when it's not running. Are getting poor gas mileage too?

The fuel has to be drawn to the pump with vacuum made by the fuel pump. Disconnect the feed line to the pump and install a vacuum gauge, crank the engine over and see if it has 8-10 in of vacuum. If not the pump is not working properly. If it does, check the fuel lings that go to the tank. If there is a crack, it will not pull the gas to the pump(like a straw with a hole in it). If that all looks fine, you may have an obstruction in the tank. Back flush the fuel line with air and listen to see if you can hear air of bubbles in the tank NOTE if there is a lot of fuel in the tank,some gas may splash out. If you hear air, Blow air from the tank forward to the disconnected pump feed line. If there is fuel in the tank it should flow out. If not you may need to R&R the tank to find a problem

Maybe it's just me, but do you think that "Chevrolet 1983 K1500" is the correct place for this question?it sounds to me that your paper level sensing switch is jammed or broken. Look for a micro switch that has an arm that lays on top of the paper stack. It may be bent or broken.

1979 Chevy luv 1.8 everytime I turn on the lights running light fuse blows, everything else work, lights, turn sin.

Sounds like you have a blown fuse or a bad light switch. Check all the fuses, if they are good then replace the light control switch.

Check to see if timing belt is broken. or wiring to crank-shaft sensor and check sensor itself on front of flywheel typically but may be on side of block usually the further towards the transmission is Crank and closer to front is cam sensor.

Check relays by switching from others of the same numbers.
Crank-shaft positioning sensor is bad perhaps.
Remove plug under vehicle that leads to fuel pump and check for voltage when key is turned on. if voltage is there is either defective fuel pump, was put in wrong or is harness from that point to the pump.
try banging the tank with hammer as someone turns key on.
 check harness from fuel pump to where it goes into the body - remove from body plug and inspect.
Should be either and or both a fuel pump relay and fuse! 
Run 12 volts to the positive side of the fuel pump wiring to see if pump is good. 3 wires usuallly  1 is ground for both the fuel guage and the other positive for the pump. and other is positive for the fuel pump guage and these two wires for the guage will show some resistance. put a fuse inline with the 12volts to the fuel pump positive but cut the line to the body prior to this - temporarily.
Could be bad switch in ignition unit in steering column but doubtful.

Hope this helps.

The Chevy 350 has been the same for years. Firing order is probably 18436572. Check a parts strore for a Chilton or Haynes manual. Also the library or book store.

Check the power at the small terminal on the starter closest to the engine (right side if facing it) with the key turned to the start position. You should see 12 volts there. If not, check the neutral safety switch (or clutch switch) and ignition switch to make sure they are good.

The jets will come out nice and clean with some carb cleaner. The diaphram is a new one to me.

BLACK WIRE BACK OF INSTTUMENT CLUSTER OFF FUEL GAUGE WHERE DOES IT GET HOOKED TO?

Hi, this all depends on what you are towing, and your hitch set up. If you have an approved towing package, it will be rated at 5, 000 lb's.plus. If you do not have a tow package and just a hole in the rear bumper with a ball, it should say on your bumper next to the ball the amount of weight you can tow. I have no tow package, but my bumper says I can tow up to 5,000 lb's. Do this, go to the u-haul web site, at www.u-haul.com and enter the information on your truck and the information that will come up for what you have, your truck, year, model, and make. It will tell you the amount of weight and what set-up you need for your truck. I hope this has helped you.
Shastalaker7

There are times when the rubber brake lines start to come apart internally and act like a one way valve. they let the fluid in, but will not let it out.

Try this: The the brakes are locked up release the bleeder on the caliper. if pressure come out there, lock up again, and release the hose where it goes into the metal line. This may be hard because of rust, but you will probably have to replace the line anyway.

You may have a bad Master, but odds are it is the rubber lines. Hope this helps.

take it back to the rebuilder, it's under warranty.

Inside of the alternator.

Ha. An '83. Last of the foot mounted headlight dimmers. If yours is equipped with the foot mounted dimmer, there's your problem. I haven't seen this problem in awhile. Hope I've helped. Under 20 dollars new. Please rate my assistance and leave a testimonial to help others that may experience a similar problem.

These were still early times for the then new...HEI ignition...The factory was using a 60 mm gap...most mechanics used a 45 mm gap, as the 60 mm was proving to wide for peak performance...I highly recommend the 45 mm gap on your spark plug gapping tool...be sure the electrode is still perfectly straight with the tip when measuring...:)

Try turning the steering wheel I know it is locked but try turning it and the key at the same time.

freee is hard to get , try atuozone

have you replaced the distributor pick up coil?