99 GMC Sierra

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Comments

  • tundra8tundra8 Member Posts: 4
    Been driving toyotas for 25 years. My problems with them have been few and far between. I work with a man that bought 4 dodge trucks in 3 years. Had major problems with all of them. Still driving one, (when it runs). Go figure.
  • wtdwtd Member Posts: 96
    After reading about all of the problems these new trucks are having I'm glad I bought a 98 instead. I have had a few problems with mine(bad front end alignment, bad lower steering shaft, leaking power steering box, leaking gas tank and the 2-3 shifting clunk, but nothing in over a year. I rarely buy a first year model because I don't have the time or patience to be the guinea pig for the manufacturer. I hope everyone with problems gets them figured out.
  • powerisfunpowerisfun Member Posts: 358
    I also got the '98 instead of the new models. I bought it right when the '99's first came out and my truck was one of 5 '98's left on the lot that the dealer was trying to get rid of. He gave it to me for $100 below invoice then subtracted $1000 manf. rebate. Darn good deal! At the time, the new ones were getting MSRP so the price difference was enormous (around $5000 with manf. rebate). Then I had the GM card rebate ($2300) and the college grad rebate ($400). I was also worried about the first year remodel, plus I liked the looks of the C/K truck better than the new ones. The new look still hasn't grown on me, but I could be biased now.
    Anyway, I love my truck! Nice power from that 5.7L and great gas mileage too (21.2 mpg was my best so far on a summer highway trip. I achieved it twice). No problems at all with 13,500 miles on it so far.

    Here is my configuration if you're interested:
    1998 GMC Sierra K1500 Z71 extended-cab short-bed with SLE trim, third door, 5.7L engine, and 3.73 axles. I've added a solid tonneau cover which I believe is why I'm getting such great highway mileage.

    Is yours at all similar to this?
    Good luck!
    -powerisfun
  • ganichoganicho Member Posts: 9
    Just a short advisory to anyone who does not like the idea that you have no control over your headlights or DRL. I purchased and installed a kit from www.truckautoaccessories.com and am very pleased with the results. Took about an hour to install and works great! I now have control again.
  • westy517westy517 Member Posts: 1
    Just bought a Canadian built 1999 GMC Z-71 4WD Ext
    Cab. 2000 miles and it has suffered from a harsh
    1-2 and 2-3 shift for the last month. Back to the
    dealer 3 times...Reflash of the PCM computer...flush and refill of the transfer
    case...and finally replacement of the control valve assembly. NONE of this has worked and the dealer is saying "it's the nature of this beast." Is this model really this much of a hunk of junk? Anyone heard of a cure for this?

    I hate to say this but my Toyota went 125,000
    miles in the Arctic of Alaska with only a few dead
    batteries. Please somebody give me a little hope in a good ol' American product...
  • powerisfunpowerisfun Member Posts: 358
    Before declaring it a "hunk of junk", keep in mind that a harsh shift is actually better for the auto transmission (i.e. it doesn't mean that it's going to break soon or is hurting itself). A rough shift is only harder on the humans inside the vehicle, which is the entire reason that manufacturers attempt to make it shift smoothly in cars (especially big luxury cars).
    There are even aftermarket devices with which you can set your shifts to be harsher (it provides better acceleration). Now I'm not sure how harsh your shifts are, but if you're just worried that they're not silky smooth, relax and enjoy the better acceleration that you have. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with your truck.
    -powerisfun
  • lumplump Member Posts: 11
    I have a 2000 GMC with a 4L60E transmission and I have a problem with it not shifting down to 4th (OD)when I accelerate. It will moan and groan and when I have pushed the accelerator about 3/4 the down. It will down shift to 3rd but not 4th. This is too low of shift and the truck will jump forward, then quickly go into 4th and TCC.
    With a light pressure on the accelerator, shouldn't it just drop down one gear and go? I can make it shift down one gear if I tap on the brake and accelerate at the same time, but can't do it with the accelerator without playing with the pedal at just the right time.

    Any comment or suggestion and and this a problem?
  • barbour1barbour1 Member Posts: 17
    Terminology/A firm shift may be ideal but a harsh shift?Probaly not.
  • ljones21ljones21 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1999 5.3 1/2 ton extended cab 4x4, 6 mo old, 15,000 miles, great truck until friday, the starter makes a grinding sound, dealer to replace under warrenty, also the passenger window went 1/2 way down and got stuck, no up or down, needs parts so 3 day wait over the weekend but the dealer did give me a 1999 lesabre for a loaner till it is fixed, I have a harsh or clunk shift from 1 to 2 but figured it is normal.
  • ljones21ljones21 Member Posts: 2
    the starter had a cracked housing, who knows why or how, and the window had a broken piece inside, all fixed with a smile under warranty.
  • lumplump Member Posts: 11
    I see you got your starter fixed. As for your harsh shift, I have a 2000 and at times, but not always it will have a hash shift between 1-2, but not bad. It seems to be at a point where temp. and load comes in. If yours is harsh all the time they may be able to program it out. A harsh shift is not good for a transmission at any point. I believe they improved this on 2000 models, but not by much. If you can click on the drive train page it will explain this to you. If you can't find it I'll e-mail it to you.

    Other wise keep on you dealer as it is not right.
  • ganichoganicho Member Posts: 9
    I have noticed that when the compass is calibrating, all the legends for the thermometer light up as well. My question: Since my vehicle does not have the "package" that includes the outside temp indicator, can it be installed, and if yes, is the wiring harness already there and it only lacks the temp sending unit? Anyone got an answer? This could be benificial to all. It seems strange that the Jimmys/Blazers have this, but it is extra on the 99 Sierras...
  • tas44tas44 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 GMC 15000 ext, had a alarm system installed, when lifting up the carpet to ran a wire they found that the carpet pad was SOAKED. Only 2,000 miles on it and three car washes. Anyone else have this problem?
  • lemon9lemon9 Member Posts: 1
    I own a 2000 chevy 1500 ext cab sb since aug,2000. It has been in the shop a total of 48 days for things like 5 main computers, a throtlebody asmby(which the dealer told me that it is going to be a nation wide recall)had the instament cluster replaced,power windows, 3 center consoles on the 40/20/40 split seat in the LS model, wind shield recaulked. so you can see I have had my share of problems with the truck. I have a Hearing date with GM and the BBB, on the 15,March this year I was hoping to find someone else with problems
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    We haven't reached August 2000. It's only March now. Are you sure this lemon is ripe?
  • g8trg8tr Member Posts: 77
    I had the infamous vibration at over 65 mph and I'm getting my check for the buy back today. You're a real trooper for sticking with the truck for that long. Make sure you have all of your work orders and notes of any conversations that you may have had with the service dept. personnel. Obviously, the value and safety of your truck will be a major concern. Make sure the arbitrator understands this. Also, check with your state's Lemon Law and be sure to follow it closely. That is what the arbitrator will base his decision.
    Good luck!
  • sdpiersonsdpierson Member Posts: 69
    I'm thinking of buying a 2000 Sierra 2500 4x4 extended cab 4-door shortbed.
    I have read alot of the postings above, sounds like alot of the same problems. Most of the trucks are 1500's.
    I am looking for ANY problems with the 2500's.
    Should I buy this truck??????
    Thanks for the info.
  • petermpeterm Member Posts: 1
    There are only two things you'll be disappointed by with the 2500:

    - The wait - I had to wait 9 months to get mine 99, this SHOULD be less now

    - The mileage - I get 13-14 with my 4wd 3.73

    Otherwise, it is a GREAT truck. No troubles after 14K...
  • heybearheybear Member Posts: 4
    I've read a BUNCH of what everyone has written here regarding problems with GMC trucks the past couple of years, and am seriously considering switching to another manufacturer based on the experience of others, but - - - -
    I asked a couple of questions in another conference and received a response that most of the problems mentioned here were on the 1500 series. Those of you who have had trouble with "shudders" Clunks, brakes, etc., are you finding the same problems on 3/4 ton trucks???
    I'm looking at retiring in another year or so, and our first trip pulling a 7,000 lb trailer will be to Alaska. I don't really want to "Clunk/shudder" my way up the Alcan Highway.
    Anybody have any experience they can share??
  • acre_manacre_man Member Posts: 1
    Hello,
    Need some input please. I have a 98 GMC Z71 SLT
    Ext cab, short bed, sport side. I have experienced
    the usual GM quirks like bad front end alignment,
    ABS in front makes occasional clunks and engages
    on "easy stops", front brakes pull, and the 2-3
    tranny clunk. For the most part I like the truck.
    What is annoying me is the rattle in the pillar area on the driver's side in front of the ext cab
    window. I have had it in the dealer 5 times to
    replace various parts but I don't think they take
    me seriously. In other words, they just sit on the
    truck all day. Has anyone out there had a similar
    problem? If so, what fixed it? Any help would be
    appreciated.
  • wtdwtd Member Posts: 96
    I still have the 2-3 clunk but it doesn't happen all of the time. I havn't tried to get it fixed because on all of the forums I've been to no one has gotten a long term fix. My 93 s-10 4x4 that I had previously did the same thing and I never could get it fixed. I think this is a common problem on GM trucks with no apparent fix as yet. I recently heard of a fix using a rubber superball. You drop the driveshaft and pull yoke out of transfer case and put the ball in and then replace the yoke and driveshaft. I think they are using a 1" ball. It is said to eliminate the clunk but I would be worried about the ball breaking apart over time and getting pieces of rubber in the transfer case.
  • meredithmeredith Member Posts: 575
    After 30 or more days of inactivity....

    this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.

    Front Porch Philosopher
    SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
This discussion has been closed.

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