So tonight on my way home from work twice the truck lost power and sputtered and the check engine light flickered while it was sputtering...this lasted about 3 or 4 seconds both times. I know it's vague, but any thoughts?

1996 Silverado Z71 5.7L, 164k.

I don't know what all was done to the truck as far as maintenance, but I just replaced the spark plugs a week ago, but my first thought was maybe a fuel filter and/or cleaning out the throttle body?

 

Were you at idle when this happened?

 

you are going to need to pull codes up should be stored in memory if you do not have a scanner take it to autozone theyll do it for free! Also i would try fuel filter as this is part of regular maintence anyways! Also did you get gas at a different gasstation? Could be bad gas

 

Agreed, with suzuki-guy, I am a big fan of the newer (89+) chevys with the 350, I would consider draining your fuel and replacing the fuel filter, very cheap, other than the fuel cost LOL, throw some cleaner in with a new full tank of fuel and see if that helps, if you are still throwing a Check Engine light, OBD II scan it, then google the code and report back to us, we will be more than happy to help....

 

Thanks guys. I was going to change the fuel filter, but the closest place was Meijer and all they have is Fram oil and air filters...so I'll change the fuel filter within the next couple days. I did START to clean the throttle, but it was getting late and I couldn't get the throttle cable off, so that'll be another day too.

But to answer the question above, no this didn't happen during idle, it happened upon acceleration...that's what lead me to first think of a fuel filter or gummed up throttle.

 

also check catylst convertor

 

with no trouble codes, you may want to check your Crank Position Sensor.

Apparently this is one of the few things which can act up without throwing a code...

 

It did it again today...however, another thing I noticed is that when I first started it up this morning and I put it in reverse it wouldn't go...I gave it gas but wouldn't move...then about 10 seconds later it kicked in...

 

Have you checked the tranny fluid level?

 

how can you check this?