GMC Sierra: Problems & Solutions
I have a 97 GMC Z71. Bought new, 24,000 mi., taken
"WELL" care of. I have replaced the the "Door Sill
Trim" 2X on Drivers side & 3X on Passenger side.
The trim (this trim includes black strip that
rides
against window) cracks! My Drivers side has just
recently cracked again. Does anyone know if there
is an aftermarket piece available? Interior color
is "Neutral (Tan"). I don't use the panel as an
armrest either. Got any connections at GM to ask?
Thanks for your help.
"WELL" care of. I have replaced the the "Door Sill
Trim" 2X on Drivers side & 3X on Passenger side.
The trim (this trim includes black strip that
rides
against window) cracks! My Drivers side has just
recently cracked again. Does anyone know if there
is an aftermarket piece available? Interior color
is "Neutral (Tan"). I don't use the panel as an
armrest either. Got any connections at GM to ask?
Thanks for your help.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
spray the Torsion Bar Mtg Bushings with silicone
to stop a "Dry Rubbing Sound" when stopping at low
speeds. Also, I've had to lube the Body Mtg
Bushings for body flex noise. Are there any more
permanent cures? (Maybe teflon lined bushings?) I
like the truck and don't wish to change brands.
I'm
sure GM was trying to correct some of these
problems with their frame changes on 99 models.
Thanks for your help!
I removed the deflector and noticed that the noise went away.
I decided to exchange the deflector for a different brand and different style and tried it again. The results were better, it didn't get noisy until I was around 65 mph but the faster I went the noisier it got. I decided to put up with the noise for the time being as I am going to trade up to an 8.1 2500. Hope this might help others who are having a similar problem.
2-you plan to trade soon
Good luck!
l, 4.10 diffs(rear locking).
Description: When transmission is cold (below 25
degrees)the 2-3 upshift does not occur until 32-33
mph. As the transmission warms, shifting becomes
normal. Under light acceleration, approximate
normal shift is: 1st-2nd: 10 mph; 2nd-3rd: 20 mph;
OD: 35 mph. 33 mph in 2nd gear is 2500+/- rpm, way
to fast for a cold engine (or transmission). This
has been a problem since the first winter (99).
Not a problem in warm weather but the cold has
returned & it's the same as last winter.
Transmission was serviced in Sept (flushed)
w/approx 32K miles. My brother inlaw has a similar
setup (4wd/5.3/3.73/sb)& has the same problem. His
dealer said this was 'normal'. Any advice on this
problem?
The owners manual(2-23) says that when the temperature gets below 32 degrees, the transmission is designed to shift differently until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. Something about improving heater to performance.
M.
Thanks for the response!
Has anyone had:
1) A creaking or growning sound in the front end
when making sharp turns?? This problem didn't start until I hit bout 20k. Everytime I back out of the drivewy, the front end lets loose a "somethings binding" type groan. The classic dealership diagnosis was "dirty PS fluid".
2) Erratic Fuel Level Mesurement?? Once again, not something that started until several thousand miles were logged. I can put gas in and get one reading. When I get home, it can be reading an 1/8th of tank different. Depending on gas sloshing in the tank, I've seen the gage needle travel a 1/4 tank back and forth. A low fuel gas slosh has occasionally set the "Low Fuel" light blinking off and on.
The dealer response: The tech sat in 2 new Sierra's and noticed different gas level readings each time he started them, so there is no problem. End of diagnosis.
This thing has had what I think are alot of problems in it's 3 year, 29,000 mile life. Here are some of the things replaced, most went bad before 20,000 miles:
Power Steering Pump
Climate Control panel
Air Conditioning compresser
Transmission tail seal
Tourqe Converter
2 Brake Master cylinders 8 months apart
left and right rear axel seals
Steering Gear Box
Fuel sending unit in tank
Passenger window channel (twice).
Seat belt buckle
I took the truck thru arbitration, the arbitrator sided with GM, deciding it did not have "4 repairs on the same item").
In addition to the above, it has lousey fit and finish (I've noticed other 97's that have varring problems with roof-line and door fit).
The mechanic's at different dealerships insist it's a good truck (they also boast they have "job security" because of GM's junk being sold to the public, and that they would not own a newer vehicle).
I'm wondering if this thing is better off being sold off at a loss before something major goes wrong (I've read the posts about vibration and transmissions).
The most irratating is a noise in the front end that started after I had the wheel bearings re-packed. A click noise everytime it goes in a driveway, or over a bump. Not as bad since the cold weather hit, but annoying just the same.
It also has a problem with the rear brakes staying "adjusted" (I had the brakes checked last week, it still has over 60 percent of the front linnings left, and over 90 percent in the rear).
Fuel Milage in town is about 13 in the summer, 18 on the highway (60 to 65 mph). In cooler weather it's about 15 city, 20 to 23 highway). I do not lead-foot it, and have "baby'd" it since new, which is why I worry about how it would preform if used normally.
Am I expecting too much from a new vechile? My old 74 Pinto did not have half the problems of this truck (for that matter I don't recall having any vehicle with this many problems, except for a 78 Subru Brat with an un-fixable 4 speed).
Any info would be welcomed. You can e-mail direct at dkacy@hotmail.com .
Sounds like you just got a bad one.......results are not typical of that vehicle....
- Tim
#19 of 19: Erratic Fuel Measurement (jlflemmons) Fri 15 Dec '00 (01:01 PM)
I repaired a Suburban with the same problem. The
baffle that is in the tank that keeps the fuel
gauge from oscillating came loose. Unfortunately,
in the Sub the baffle sloshed into the fuel pump
pickup and broke it. The pump sucked up the debris
and locked up. So, new pump and re-attach the
baffle to the bottom of the tank.
My 2k Sierra does a neat trick. When stopped long
enough for the gas to quit sloshing, I can put the
tranny in reverse and the gauge will drop a 1/4
tank. This isn't in the tank, but something in the
gauge cluster. I will get it looked at when I put
it in the shop for the typical ext cab rear door
wind noise that showed up after 3k miles
Jim
True, it's a part of the transmission program. For me, it's not that noticable. Maybe I'm not paying too much attention. So, with that said, maybe it's too noticable for you. Have you taken the truck to a service center to have them update the transmission software? That might soften it up some what, make it less noticable.
Just a thought.
M.
'00 GMC Sierra Ext cab 4dr Z71 w/ 5.3
Also, if I am in 2 wheel drive and the back tires start spinning and the locking if kicks in, it slams in hard and you hear and feel a loud flunk. It shakes the truck. I am wondering is something will break sometime later on.
I am going to have my truck more than likely looked at next wk when i get my new tires (285's) to have the computer upgraded and the tailgate fixed.
Ryan
I heard from a friend that MC does not pay much to the techs for warranty work, so they do not want to spend much time on trying to fix any problem.
Shoot i cant even complain this past time you are supposed to be at the service place at 7:30am well i didnt go till about 8:30am because i was only going to get it checked out not actually worked on. They were packed and still took me.
I would say find another dealer to have work on it
Ryan
Brian
Ryan
2000 5.3 Silverado
Roger, 2000 5.3 Silverado
Ray T.
Ryan
Ryan
Well after the third time about 500 miles later it didnt pull anymore. It has almost 11K on it and its fine.
It would wear you out driving that blazer it wasnt fun on long trips
Ryan
Ryan
Any kind words, or words of warning would be appreciated. I have read many references to the injector pumps failing, and some valve/compression issues. I understand that it has a lot of torque, but only 190 horsepower. I am concerned that while it may get up and pull my trailer (high torque) it may not get there very quickly (low horsepower).
Thanks for any help you can provide,
Eric B,
Anchorage, Alaska
Pocahontas
Host
Pickups Message Board
First is the front end alignment specs from the factory were in error. (New specs get both wheels going in the right direction).
Second is a defective steering shaft. Original shaft causes a rattle after 9K miles or so. (Replacement shaft is a tighter fit).
Third is probably your problem pulling to the right. A defective steering box. (The power assist valves are not balanced & cause a pulling usually to the right).
Factory warranty should cover all costs to you.
Thanks,
Erik
Answer 2. My experience is with a 2K Sierra not a 2001. The factory is aware of the problems I mentioned to a point of issuing a Tech. Bulletin on each of them. I don't know about the 2001.
Answer 3. Yes I am lazy.
For all of you regulars, I have been a steady reader of this forum since March 1999 and I appreciate all of the good information you have passed on to many of us who have stayed on the sidelines. For example, my first direction was to buy another 2 W/D to replace my 21 year old 1978 Sierra. I live in NH & driving in the snow for these 21 years was never a problem with 2 W/D. However, because of the drive line vibrations you covered primarily on 2 W/D, I decided to get a 4 W/D instead. You guys saved me a lot of heartache. Just for the record this is what I have:
2K GMC Sierra, SLE, 4 W/D, 1500, Short Bed, Regular Cab
5.3 V8
3.73 Locking Differential
Plow Prep Package
Trailer Package
Z71 Package
Polished Aluminum Wheels (Good For Resisting Corrosion From Road Salt)
Active Transfer Case
Bucket Seats
Sliding Rear Window (No Leaks)
P265-75R-16 WOL
Block Heater
Color: Toreador Red W/Pewter (Sorry about that Ryan)
ARE - Hard Tonneau Cover W/Nomadic "Glider" Roof Rack
8000 Miles And Enjoying Every Trip (Smooth, Quiet & Strong)
Ed
Thanks!
Jim
On the first visit back to the dealer for wind noise, they replaced the rear window latches per the most recent TSB they had at the time. That did nothing to help the problem. Yesterday they replaced the entire window and frame on both sides as per a new TSB. That seems to have done as much as the latch replacement did ! Don't know what they will try next, but the local GM re is scheduled to drive my 2000 Sierra so he can feel the torgue converter lock up at 38 miles and hour. Perhaps he will notice the wind noise while he is downshifting my automatic transmission to get it to go to a lower gear !!
I would have your dealer at least replace the latches, it might help your problem.
Brad
The service techs at GM that the dealership contacted, told them that this is the way the truck is designed in order for them to meet EPA gas mileage requirements. They say that if I don't like what I am experiencing, that I should downshift it into third. I feel that they owe me the 800 dollars I paid for the automatic transmission if I indeed need to shift it. This is my third GMC in the past 12 years and with out a doubt the most troublesome. Makes me wonder if I will want another one in the future.
Brad
http://calid.gm.com/vci/