89 Silverado 5.7l 4wd Obd Code 44 Help Please!

rbhankins001 · March 3, 2011

Hey there and thanks for your help!

I have a 1989 Chevy Silverado, 4wd, single cab long bed, with the 5.7L (350ci).

I am getting an OBD Code 44 - Oxygen Sensor, Lean condition (I think that's right, I know it's a code 44).

I need to know what to fix or where to go from here. The truck will run and drive fine if you are light on the gas pedal. If you give it too much it stumbles and loses power. You can ease your way up to 55 mph without problems if you ARE VERY EASY ON THE THROTTLE -it takes a while lol!

Also if it makes a difference the truck is a 1989 I bought from the original owner. It has been landlocked in Juneau, Alaska since new. It barely has 69,000 original miles on it. Also vehicles here get rusted out, this one is not too bad (actually much better shape than my 1992 that came from here).

Please advise.

-Rob

txab · March 3, 2011

Have you checked fuel filter? Fuel pump pressure?

rbhankins001 · March 5, 2011

Have you checked fuel filter? Fuel pump pressure?

Not yet but I will. Any other ideas?

NathanY · March 5, 2011

Check for vacuum leaks. Mine was giving me a lean condition, yours is a newer truck, different engine I know, but one of the vacuum lines was unhooked and giving me a lean condition code, and it was running similar to yours at idle. Put the hose back on and its running good again. Now I have another code, but thats another topic.

rbhankins001 · March 19, 2011

Check for vacuum leaks. Mine was giving me a lean condition, yours is a newer truck, different engine I know, but one of the vacuum lines was unhooked and giving me a lean condition code, and it was running similar to yours at idle. Put the hose back on and its running good again. Now I have another code, but thats another topic.

So I checked for vacuum leaks (visually, and sprayed starting fluid around the lines) and didn't find any.

I also replaced the oxygen sensor (I believe there's only 1) with no change.

Also put 2 bottles of premium heat in case there was water in the fuel.

I have not replaced fuel filter or pump. I would like to check the fuel pressure but I am in remote Alaska (Bush country) and nobody has that kind of equip here. If I could find a cheap one I'd buy it.

Any other possibilities?

Thanks for your help!

-Rob

bluecrew · June 4, 2011

Check for vacuum leaks. Mine was giving me a lean condition, yours is a newer truck, different engine I know, but one of the vacuum lines was unhooked and giving me a lean condition code, and it was running similar to yours at idle. Put the hose back on and its running good again. Now I have another code, but thats another topic.

So I checked for vacuum leaks (visually, and sprayed starting fluid around the lines) and didn't find any.

I also replaced the oxygen sensor (I believe there's only 1) with no change.

Also put 2 bottles of premium heat in case there was water in the fuel.

I have not replaced fuel filter or pump. I would like to check the fuel pressure but I am in remote Alaska (Bush country) and nobody has that kind of equip here. If I could find a cheap one I'd buy it.

Any other possibilities?

Thanks for your help!

-Rob

Did you figure it out yet? I had a similar problem with my 94 Suburban. The catalytic converter was clogged on mine.