(It's a 1998, steve)

I was starting to think fuel system. I was going to put a fuel pressure gauge on there and see what happens.

My problem doesn't sound as bad as yours (RedRocket). Mine is only when I first start it up, and let it sit for a minute. If I start it up, throw it in drive and take off, then it never does it. I have to back out of my driveway and usually wait for cars, so while I wait it does it, but I hit the gas when i'm ready to go, it hesitates for just a second, then takes off like nothing has happened.

 

run some bk44 fuel injector cleaner through it... sounds more like dirty fuel injectors to me.

 

I just had something similar to this with my Monte. At idle when in gear (light load) it would start missing and running like crap, would sometimes die and not restart. Turned out the coil packs were bad. That wouldn't apply here though...

Ok, down to basics. You need Air, Fuel, and Spark for an engine to run. I assume the air filter is clean, and the throttle body is actuating smoothly. Spark could be a LOT of things, from distributor internals to PCM to sensors. Fuel is pretty basic- pump, screen, injectors, pressure regulator... I have heard of bad pressure regulators causing this exact same thing... Might want to throw one on and see what it does.

 

Thanks Snafu, I was thinkin about spark, maybe cables, plugs, or coil, just cause it started again when it was wet out.

 

that's a clear sign that you have a ignition problem...

 

For what its worth, I have been chasing a similar problem around for months. I have noticed that it occurs no matter the temperature, or whether it is raining or not. I have already replaced the TPS, Rear O2, and MAP sensors. It also has a "newer" fuel pump than original and I've tried fuel system cleaners too. No change except to give me a nervous tick!!<bg> Although its acting like a fuel problem, none is indicated anywhere. Even I'm open to just about any and all reasonable suggestions at this point.

 

mine is starting to do this regulary, if I can predict when it will do it, I can slap a fp meter on it and see if the fp is good or not. I will try to do this in the next few days...

 

I'll throw the fuel pressure gauge on mine tomorrow and see what it says.

 

I was thinking about how my truck was acting last night and I remembered that I have been getting some weird lights come on. First I have been getting the check engine light... but I have also got a series of three or four lights on at once, brakes and check engine. And my seat belt light will also come on while I have my seat belt on.

 

I just put the fuel pressure gauge on my truck and it holds steady at 50psi. Even during it's rough idle thing, the rpm's drop, but the fuel pressure stays constant at 50.

Anything else I can try?