2 S10 questions

Greetings,

1) Your SES light could be activated by any one of a hundred or more different things. The only way anyone will be able to tell you with authority what is going on is if you have the code(s) read from the computer. Since your truck is pre-'96, you have an OBD-I system and it's fairly easy to pull the codes. Cheap handheld units to do this run about $20-25 with a book explaining the procedure and the code definitions, or someone could tell you how to do it with a paperclip and then you could search for the codes you get on the net. The only info as to why the light is coming on that you would get from anyone without reading the codes would be just a guess and nothing more, especially over the internet where we can't see the truck.

2) Yes, it is possible that your fuel pump could be running and causing your battery to drain. Of course it could also be a bad ignition switch causing the fuel pump to remain powered, or it could even be something as simple as a faulty door switch for your dome light or for the light under the hood. Since this is an intermittent problem without any clearly identifiable signs or symptoms then you will have to pay more attention to your truck when you shut it off from now on or provide us with some more information before anyone would say what is truly the cause beyond all doubt.

Cheers - Jonathan

Insofar as item (2) is concerned, I consider it more likely that the ignition switch is going bad, and it is alternating between not engaging the starter, and not turning off the ignition. They *do* wear out after awhile.

Item (1) - on a '91, could be several things. Probably well worth it to check all of your vacuum hoses for looseness / embrittlement. Even a loose gas cap can cause the SES.

-= Larry A.

What code has been stored?

Is your belt good? Perhaps check your alternator as well in addition to what other posters have said.