97 Chevrolet Silverado Complaints

thomasc

Actually, I don't think I said it should be perfect. However, for $30k, I do expect to get a vehicle that steers properly. I don't think that's a lot to ask because steering is a rather fundamental system. It seems like a lot of '97 and '98 Chevy trucks are having a hard time meeting that requirement, especially now that they're getting more miles on them and are starting to exhibit the problem more frequently (just look at the NHTSA web site if you don't believe me!). I also don't think that any new vehicle, regardless of its cost, should have to go back to the dealership once per month under normal driving conditions. Both the '89 and '99 (non-GM) trucks I've had have gone many miles without dealership assistance, so I know it's possible to design one that works well at least most of the time.

Personally, I thought the interior of the '97 Chevy was pretty nice...

--TomC

powerisfun

Just so you know, that rant wasn't directed at you or at anyone in particular. I was just venting, and you're right...steering is one of the things they should be expected to be perfect on (or at least near perfect).
I agree about the interior of the Chevy trucks.
I like them.

stevek

The steering problem can be corrected for less than a $100 in 30 minutes. The dealer need to install a new speed sensor, it is no big deal.

bquick

I agree....problem is that it's still under warranty so I don't think I should have to pay for it and I'm not leaving my customized truck with them "for a couple days" for them to "test drive". I plan on keeping this truck for a l-o-n-g time and don't want it screwed up....I guess if it totally gets worse after warranty is out they'll fix it as long as there was an earlier complaint....or am I dreaming?

27jr

Did not mean to get you going. I just drove a
Silverado ls with everything. I just do not like
the controls and there made square still no
dynamics like ford/dodge/toyota. I guess like a
lot of people say it depends on what you want and
need. After reading how many chevy owners have
replaced trans/engines before 100k miles on the
97 silverado I just do not want to put 30k on
one. These are owners of Silverado's that post
problems. I never said no one else has problems
with there trucks. They I say again they all have
faults. Just have to figure out the Pros & Cons
of what each individual person wants.

chevyclunk

Thanks foir the Info! I will try the Clunk Grease and advise.

thomasc

True, the sudden boost problem can be fixed for under $100 by replacing the sensor. However, the problem I had was the opposite effect: There was no boost at all at low speeds (the opposite of the advertised behavior of the steering system). My dealership claimed everything was working fine and blamed everything in the book: wide tires (the factory GoodYears), binding steering gearbox (rebuilt, then replaced--no dice), phase of the moon, etc. They even replaced my speed sensor--no dice. They never fixed it and I refused to buy 13" tires to make the wimpy steering system work properly. My point to them was this: my brother-in-law has an identical truck that STILL doesn't have the problem. Why not? His tires are just as wide, now they're mostly bald, and he doesn't even take care of his truck. By comparison, my truck should have lasted a million miles without much trouble!

My truck got to be a real pain to drive (parking and turning around was a chore). That, combined with the other little things that kept falling off, making noise, or leaking, told me that truck was a real piece of work. I hated to crawl underneath to change the oil because I'd find something else loose or leaking. I'm sure the service department was glad when I got rid of it! They were about ready to assign me a permanent time slot for service every month.

If you have a '97 or '98, I sure hope you never have the problems I had!!!

--TomC (not a spokesman for GM, if that's not obvious by now)

okkid

Well once again I am having trans problems. The trans would shift very, very hard between first and second. If you turned the engine off and waited about 30 seconds the truck would shift perfectly. It is only happening once a week. I took it in to a trans shop. They could not find any scan codes. The trans shop said I would have come in when it was shifting hard and then they could then hook up the scan equipment and try and get a code. I would take it to a GM dealer except the last time this happened they said it needed a whole new trans. Now 35,000 miles later it is doing it again. The trans shop and myself know it does not need a whold new trans. It is probably some electrical part that is shorting out or building up resistence. Has anyone else had this problem or know of anyone that has. Do you know of the fix or where I can find information on the fix. Thanks. Oh my truck is a 97.

thomasc

If I recall correctly, the shifting is controlled by the computer--the system adapts to your driving habits and adjusts the shift points accordingly. Perhaps the computer or driver circuitry's reinitialization when you shut off and restart the truck fixes the problem. It's a total guess on my part but perhaps the computer or related circuitry is bad. Maybe "Albert Einstein" can shed some light on this problem.

--TomC

okkid

Tom that is what I have been able to figure out. The problem is that the computer controls several "parts" that could play a part in the problem. If I knew which part needed to be replaced I could do it myself. The trans shop guy told me that they could start replacing parts one by one until the problem was solved or I could wait until it happens on a regular basis and hope a code was stored to tell the problem. GM knows there are problems but say what the part is or that there really is a problem. I know the local GM dealer is going to say it needs a new trans and I know that the trans itself is good.

stevek

Disconnect the battery for about a minute, that will clear all codes out. Not much but worth a shot.

meredith

The PICKUPS Conference has gotten WAY too big....

it is unwieldy to manage, and difficult to use for "newbies". There is entirely TOO much topic duplication, so I will be doing some SERIOUS topic consolidation in the next few weeks, getting us down to not more than 2-3 topics per vehicle type, and ultimately down to 200 topics or less.

THIS weeks consolidation candidates are: F-150's, Silverado's, Dakota's, and Dakota Crew/Quad cabs.

In that vein, please consolidate this Silverado topic to Chevy Silverado - Continued IX and continue these discussions there.

Thanks!

Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host