Troubleshooting your 1989 Chevrolet pickup can be a perplexing job due to the wide assortment of problems that older vehicles can present. Many of the basic do-it-yourself auto-mechanic jobs can be done with tools such as a socket wrench set and a torque wrench and can be done by even the novice backyard mechanic. However, it is important to note that if you find you're in over your head and can't seem to fix the problem, take your vehicle to a professional mechanic rather than risk throwing more parts and money at trying to fix it.
Check online for recalls on your vehicle. Websites with recall information include vehicle-specific repair guides at Auto Zone or the InternetAutoGuide. Even though the production year for your Chevy ended over 20 years ago, recalls may still be put out by the manufacturer or the government. Examples of recalls for a 1989 Chevy S10 include engine fan blades, a cooling fan and a loose steering shaft. One recall, as recent as 2007, includes faulty interior door handles.
Inspect the battery cables and circuitry for evidence of fraying, deterioration or exposed wiring. Wrap any exposed wiring using electrical tape. If the battery cable eyelets and terminals are corroded, wash them with carbonated soda and clean with a wired brush and cloth. Hook up a battery charger to your truck's battery if it has been sitting for a long time without being cranked.
Replace the spark plugs if they have not been inspected or replaced in the past few years or 30,000 miles. Use a marker and pieces of tape to mark the location of each wire and its terminal on the distributor cap. Pull the wires off the distributor cap and use a spark plug puller and socket wrench to remove the spark plugs. Inspect the firing ends of the spark plugs using a spark plug reference chart, which may indicate other problems with your engine and fuel delivery systems.
Inspect the fluids and fluid levels of your 1989 Chevy truck. Having the correct levels and having fresh fluids will help to ensure that your truck runs smoothly and efficiently. Make sure that the coolant level is between the min and max lines on the coolant reservoir. Check the oil and transmission (if the truck is an automatic) by removing the dipsticks from the tubes, wiping them clean, reinserting them into the dipstick tubes and pulling them back out. Dipsticks will either have two dots or a max and min line printed on them indicating the appropriate fluid levels. If your truck as been sitting for a long time with fuel in the gas tank, you may need to siphon it out and put new fuel into the tank before it will start up properly.
