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Comments
Now let me try and air another problem that deals with my wonderful transmission in my '97 blazer (56k miles).
Symptoms: After 30 minutes of highway driving my transmission will slam from 1st gear to second gear. If I turn the car off for 5 seconds and then restart, it will go back to shifting smoothly. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks,
Brian
I am so disgusted! First, it's a lease and I only have 4 months left. Second, the problems started at 36,200 miles. Lastly, I had a 1997 Blazer which I loved and had no problems with at all. This one has been nothing but trouble from the beginning...nothing major just all minor issues but still.
Anyway, just thought I'd let you take a peak into your possible future! Good Luck!
- From previous posts it looks unamious that the transmission slam after highway driving is due to a faulty valve body. Looks like this problem can be traced to 1997 to 1999 vehicles. My symptoms first occurred at 46k miles, now I've got 56K miles and will have the dealership fix next month at my expense.
- Sorry to hear about your battery fiasco, hope it's not contagious.
I think we all should complain to NHTSA,
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/ivoq/default.htm
This is a safety problem. If the hose breaks and engine locks up in a intersection someone could get killed. It is also a fire hazzard. Not to mention what all this leaking oil does to earth! This may force a recall.
At about 36300 miles I noticed that the truck would not shift into either permanent 4WD or the Autotrac system. I got the earliest possible appointment, by which time I had 36900 miles. You guessed it, the battery had failed, and spectacularly. One of the terminals had corroded and acid had leaked all over several key 4WD system components (I can get the work order and list them if anyone's interested). I had suspected nothing because the truck otherwise drove fine. $730 later, I wrote a fiery letter to GM, but am expecting nothing. My repairman said it was a "maintenance issue", meaning presumably that it's my fault. I'd be willing to concede this, but how often does a battery fail like this within 2.5 years of purchase when the vehicle has otherwise been well maintained?
The door hinge problems sound familiar too; the swinging spare tire carrier is the same. Besides some other minor things (my gas gauge is also messed up, but happily the other way around -- when full it registers 7/8), not much else to complain about ... yet.
I was going to bring it back to the dealer in a few days as the 4WD system still wasn't working perfectly, though today it suddenly worked fine. Now at least after reading this thread, I have some ideas for some other things for them to check, such as the brakes.
I was hoping to keep this truck for at least 5 years, but now it seems that if I get another year out of it (until next summer), I'll be doing well. I am investigating smaller SUVs such as the Tracker and CR-V, as I have no children and would like better gas mileage.
It is good to be back again, though I wish it could be with more glowing reports of this vehicle.
I had forgotten to mention my 4WD not engaging in my previous message. I read Amadeus131 and it mention corrosion getting on to 4WD parts. I did have some corrosion, I'll have to check that out.
Anyway, if anyone has had similar problems with stalling or dead battery and has traced to the back hatch that might be able to give me a heads up where I need to look for the problem, let me know. I want to get her fixed up enough to turn her in. Just got a letter from GM allowing me early release from my lease with no penalty. The catch, buy another GM product. Judging by the track here, it certainly won't be a Blazer.
If you tow id definitly get it done
I am at 16K on my silverado and i am probably going to get mine (rear diff) changed at 20K just to be on the safe side. A little preventative maintenance
Ryan
I commute 78 miles daily, round trip.
The Blazer has experienced not one problem..not one hiccup.
It's a nice piece for the money. Not too big, not too small; relatively nimble and light on it's feet; reasonable gas mileage considering its perfomance and especially when comparing it to its peers; styling (to me) is handsome and restrained. I'd buy another.
Note to the fellow experiencing "spectacular" problems as a result of a corroded battery terminal...open your hood every now and again, mate. Meticulous maintenance does not mean driving one's vehicle through Jiffy Lube every few months. Really.
The wipers had _something_ wrong with them when I bought it new. If I turned on the wipers to the slowest delay, the length of delay would be about 4 seconds. If I turned it past and came back, it would work correctly (12-15 seconds). No big deal, but I should have had it fixed under warranty. I just didn't think it would turn into a real problem.
Hey! it's worth a try.
Just beware of the following trouble spots: alternator, dexcool sludge (coolant), leaky oil cooler lines, rusty trans dipstick, faulty trans valve body (slamming), worn driver's door hinges, noisy belt tensioner, premature wear on ball joints, idler and pitman arm, erratic wipers, front differential leak, shifter button rattle, premature wear of brake rotor (frt./rr.), and some reports of leaning suspensions and inability to maintain alignment.
And yes, I maintain my vehicles... which is why I do not expect a major driveline failure, unless there's yet another GM design defect I haven't uncovered.
My advice: buy the extended warranty. A good investment on '95-01 S-trucks.
Check this link for a GM warranty: http://www.gmwarrantycentral.com/
Don't buy a third party warranty... too much grief, in my opinion.
>problems as a result of a corroded battery
>terminal...open your hood every now and
>again, mate. Meticulous maintenance does not mean
>driving one's vehicle through Jiffy Lube every few
>months. Really.
I understand what you're saying, and you're right about the opening the hood part -- but isn't this just a *bit* extreme for a 2.5 year old car?
I am not saying that it isn't my responsibility, because it is. I'm only saying that this sort of "spectacular failure" seems to me like it ought to be unusual. Based on what I'm reading, it's looking more and more like that isn't quite true.
Please don't misunderstand my attitude, because in many ways I think I'm actually fortunate. Can you imagine what might have happened if it had been some key components of the steering system that had been destroyed slowly? Or the braking system?
I just had two new tires put on yesterday, the door hinges lubed, and the brakes and the 4WD system gone over. All is well now. In spite of all this, I do like how the vehicle drives, and its styling and size as well. My only general complaints about the vehicle are the mileage (not a legitimate complaint), the turning radius (ditto; if you want a small turning radius and good gas mileage, get a Cavalier), and the visibility (which seems more legitimate). I sat in a Tracker yesterday, and while it seems well made, I am not sure I could live with something that small after all. In spite of its problems, I can't think what I'd rather be driving. Perhaps if I am more careful with the maintenance, I can get quite a bit more use out of this truck.
had rubbed through the hot wire that runs through it to some accessory. Poor routing of wire
through the seat was at fault.
I bought this vehichle used with 38k miles.
Overall, I've been satisfied since the SUV has been pretty reliable, never left me stranded, and successfully got me 'up the hill' from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe about, oh, 30 times already. But yeah, there has been some issues:
42k miles - 4WD computed encoder motor ($800);
48k - AC Compressor ($700); 55k - Brake Booster Cable; just recently I had to replace BTy cable as it was leaking.
Also, someone mentioned 'missippi mud' coolant problem. In case your not aware, my dealership noted that there is some special technical service bulletin type 'courtesy offer' where if the symptons exist, they will do a complete clean, flush, and or overall of your radiator if need be (not sure of all the specifics but it's supposed to take over 4 hours. Mine was done for free.
Lastly, my temp. gauge always seemed to get over the mid point line on hot days, with ac on, while stuck in traffic. Two dealers looked at this and noted there was no problem. The last dealer indicated that the normal tempature for the blazer is 220 degrees (midpoint on the gauge is 210) and that gauge was actually reading about 15 degrees hotter that actual reading done by the shop. I feel a little better (I guess). Anyway, each time it was in, the shops said the coolant reservior was low and added some, so I guess I'll watch it closer from now on.
My vehicle now has 66k. I think the next year or 30k will be the gauge of how good a truck this is in terms 'unexpected' repairs popping up. I have always liked the LT looks along with the vortec 4.3 engine peformance (Explorer engine of the same year seemed to have no power comparitively speaking).
For the transmission dipstick rust, are the dealers advocating any type of fix?
I've had many of the problems listed here. (Bad fuel gauge, sludge for coolant, failed transmission...)
I've also had a problem that I managed to figure out. When I traveled over bumps, or was passed on the highway by large trucks, my dome lamps would flicker.
Turns out my tailgate window wasn't latched completely. It was just the window bouncing up off the dome light switch.
Hope that helps.
-Paul
I've owned my 97 Blazer LS 2dr 4wd 6 months and drove it 6000 miles. Since then I have spent $1200 in repairs which include:
Hood latch, rusted tranny "dip stick", fuel gage sending unit, blower motor, torsion bar adjustment, front axle seal, battery.
Two weeks ago my mechanic informed me I "thru a rod" in my wonderful vortex V6 motor and it needed to be replaced at a cost of $2,000. My Blazer only has 57,000 miles on it.
Future repairs would have included: front end rebuild, tranny valve body rebuild, remote oil filter lines leaking, drivers side power window and wipers work only when they want to, truck starts hard (problem with fuel pump?)
Here is the response I received from Chevrolet:
Thank you for your recent email. We apologize for your dissatisfaction. Chevrolet understands
that of all the factors involved in customer satisfaction, quality is of primary concern. We
appreciate your advising us of your feelings. The comments you have made will help us provide the
quality you expect from Chevrolet. If you would like to discuss your comments further, please
contact the Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020.
Please take my advice Don't buy or sell your truck I wish I did.....I pick up my 2001 Jeep Wrangler later today.
So long GM.
Dick
Rusty dipstick tube
driver window motor went bad
service engine soon light stays on
coolant turned to sludge
radiator got rusty somehow, had to replace it
wiper computer went bad
AC doesnt work
Besides that, nothing major
It is nickle and diming me here...so I am getting rid of it.
Thanks for the help
BTW. Had excellent service from all of ours except a 97 that I bought new. Worst vehicle I'd ever owned. Usually run them unill they die of old age, sold this piece of crap at 50K miles, 5000 dollars under retail. Had to get rid of it.
Good luck with yours, might run forever.
After watching the temp gauge move into the red, our local mechanic said it's losing coolant, added some and suggested we bring it to the dealer, as this is a characteristic problem for Blazers. Our dealer (Dan Perkins - Milford CT) found nothing wrong.
Again, after a couple weeks (long enough for a slow leak?), same symptoms. After being towed from Massachussets back to CT, dealer replaces water pump.
Again, after another couple weeks, same symptoms. Intake leak (which dealer claims wasn't there on first two visits) is now being fixed.
Does anyone know if a Technical Service Bulletin relates to these problems? (99-06-02-012B?)
I'm just hoping to keep this trade-in running until our on-order 2002 Honda Odyssey comes in. I've learned my lession.
I was having trouble with the windshield wipers (they wouldn't shut off, or ran at odd speeds during interval mode) and also had a Service Engine Soon light lit on the dash. Then, of all things, my battery dies! Argh! Well, I replaced the battery, (Thanks Sears) and lo and behold, my wipers began working correctly and the service engine light went off!
The totally frustrating thing is that I had the truck in to a dealer a week ago to check the Service Engine problem, and he sold me an oxygen sensor. ($206) I probably didn't need one, I just needed better 12v power to it...
I've seen lots of posts here for wiper module replacements and service engine problems. Before you take it to the mechanic, check your battery.
Even if you left the old battery there the light would have went off
Might be more wrong than a new battery
Ryan
If all the problems were not enough, check out the offset crash results. Blazer nearly breaks in two crushing the driver!
i forgot to mention brakes in my first post too... i'm pretty sure i went thru at least 3 sets. then there are all the general flaws-- like general lack of comfort, horrible ventilation system, tiny back seat (2 dr), the stretched out elastic straps on my visors and cd holder, had to sew part of my seat back together with fishing line, etc. etc. etc. sorry for the whining, but i'm still very bitter ;o)
i seriously would like to make my problems known to GM and other potential buyers. where do i start?
I think as an SUV it's OK, though I've got to think there are better out there. I think most people would be better served by a station wagon, including my brother. This thing has the turning radius of a 747, sounds and feels like an old bed when going over bumps, has laughably slow steering and brakes, and gets 12mpg consistently around town. Not for me.