Automotive Problem - Help?

2 seconds is a short time. Is it really running?

I have no S10 - but I know a engine needs fuel and with BobC together, also a spark. Or the fuel is not supplied - try feeding out of a bottle, or if the Chevy has a carbuartor, just throw a spoon of gas in the air inlet or carburetor.

If it is running longer, you will have probably a spark.

If it is equipped with injection you'll need to work differently.

But you can also test if you have a spark available. Need more explanation, tell us some more

dvmdsc.

Contrary to the widely circulated rumors, the S-10s do not need me to be able to run. Spark fuel and compression should be sufficient.

The fact that you get 2 seconds of run time prompts me to try this. IF EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL RUN FOR 2 SECONDS, pretty much tells us the fuel pump relay / system isn't working. Also you need an RPM signal from the crank sensor to the computer to keep the relay energized. GM used to use the an oil pressure switch as a back up to energize the fuel pump. Sound like like you have the necessary spark and fuel to start ,but lack the required signal to keep the fuel pump energized. I'm sure you may get more assistance from other readers .

I agree with the last one the fuel pump relay sounds good.

reason when you first turn ign on the fuel pump runs for a short time to get the fuel system ready for starting the stops ( the pump that is )

now if the engine fires a signal is sent to a tachometric relay basicly a relay that needs pulses to enable it to work, so if the relay doesnt get the pulse it wont turn the relay on.

so either no pulse

or relay doesnt work.

i will look up your car and see if i can find anything else

Look inside the glove box there are 2 relays ,1 is a horn relay the other is the fuel pump relay, they are identical..If the horn blows try switching the relays around, if the horn blows when you hit the horn then you know its not the relay

also there is a simple way to see if its fuel or electrics.

get somone to turn the engine over and spray fuel cleaner or someother flamable fluid into the air intake whilst cranking, if engine starts and runs while you are spraying into inlet withe key now released then its a fuel problem.

if it wont run when the key is released its electrical.

simple test, notice i dont say use easy start or ether spray this is because if you spray to much ether into the engine there is a chance of damage ether spray should only be used for a few seconds to start an engine, and so is unsuitible for this test.

let me know what happens

You have some good answers so far. The oil pressure switch should be the feed for the fuel pump. If my memory has not failed, the correct color for the power to the fuel pump should be tan. You could pierce this wire right at the OPS, and have an assistant do the start cycle, while you watch the test light. If the light goes out as soon as the start signal is released, try leaving the starter engaged for an additional 3-4 seconds after it starts. Tap the gas while doing this. If the light stays on exactly the same time as the starter, look for the power to the OPS, or the OPS is bad, or there is not sufficient oil pressure. Warning running the starter while the engine is running will damage the starter. Just use that as a tool to diagnose.

That is not the end of the list of things that can cause this condition, but it is start, it is common, and it is easy to check. Let us know.