1990 GMC K1500 Service and Repair Manual
This factory service and repair manual for the 1990 GMC K1500 spans two cab styles and three trims, with the standard cab and extended cab pickups sold as Sierra, Sierra SLE and Sierra SLX. Under the hood the choice runs from the 4.3L gasoline V6 through the 5.0L and 5.7L gasoline V8s to the 6.2L diesel V8, all of them overhead-valve, naturally aspirated designs. The manual gives each engine its own specifications and torque values, then works outward through the driveline, chassis, brake, electrical and body systems with matching procedures and diagnostics.
Engines covered
- 5.0L V8 (305 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 6.2L V8 (379 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, diesel
- 4.3L V6 (262 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 5.7L V8 (350 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 2-door standard cab pickup
- 2-door extended cab pickup
Trims covered
- Sierra
- Sierra SLE
- Sierra SLX
Known issues on the 1990 K1500. Three recalls are recorded for this year, and two of them are fire risks. Replacement oil filters that do not seal properly can lose engine oil onto hot components, and a transmission running hotter than expected can push fluid out of its vent tube where it can ignite. The third concerns incorrect instructions for adjusting the rear lap-shoulder belts, which can leave an occupant improperly restrained. Four owner complaints are logged with NHTSA, touching the parking brake, the service brakes and the power train, and all three of those systems have full procedures here.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. TH
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 20
TRUCKS CAN CONTAIN INCORRECT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROPERLY ADJUST REAR SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELTS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PROPERLYRESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SUDDEN STOP; TR
PROVIDE OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR LAP-SHOULDER BELT INSTRUCTIONS.
UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEH
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON FRONT DOOR HINGE PIN BUSHING WEAR, FRONT DOOR SAG, OR DOOR CHUCKING MOVEMENT IN EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TT
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. TT
TRUCK PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED AND TRUCK ROLLED DOWN EMBANKMENT. *AK
EA94-038; IN SUDDEN STOP THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE BRAKE DRUMS/ROTORS BEING TOO SMALL FOR THIS SIZE OF VEHICLE, FOR THE VEHICLE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, MAY RESULT
EA94-038; IN SUDDEN STOP THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE BRAKE DRUMS/ROTORS BEING TOO SMALL FOR THIS SIZE OF VEHICLE, FOR THE VEHICLE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, MAY RESULT
EA94-038; IN SUDDEN STOP THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE BRAKE DRUMS/ROTORS BEING TOO SMALL FOR THIS SIZE OF VEHICLE, FOR THE VEHICLE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, MAY RESULT
Showing the 5 most serious of 6 complaints filed with NHTSA.
