1997 Chevrolet Blazer: check engine light

Filed Mar 29, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 25,100 miles · OH

97 blazer with original low miles had engine stop both on and off the highway several times but it would start back up. In jan while driving down the highway the service engine light came on and rpms went up. We pulled off and found the transmission was stuck in 3'rd gear. Also key would not release to remove. Errors came up p1860 p0785 and p740 that refer to transmission. The problem was not transmission but ignition switch contact block commonly called the ignition switch, it is the contact section and not the key or lock cylinder. This ignition switch had already been replaced once. Gm has a service bulletin #17006264 on the ignition switch and this appears to be a big problem across many years and models but no recall was issued. An ignition switch problem can cause engine to die, lights to go out and other problems but the contact for the transmission power seems to be a common failure point. I replaced the ignition switch and everything worked fine for one month and then the problem recurred with errors p1860 p0758 p0753 p0740 and p0785. I tested the ignition switch power from red/white to white wire and got no power when switch was on so the new switch failed. I tested by temporary jumping a fused line to fuse 24 output and then transmission worked fine and the key released. I again replaced the ignition switch contact block under warranty and new switch worked fine except the errors came back on p0740, p0785 and p1860. Transmission worked ok though so I took the blazer to a chevy dealership to check it. They reset code errors , checked wiring, connections and switch. The technician said my work was correct and everything checks out fine and he was not sure why codes came back. Now ok. I examined the original switch and there was no problem with contacts or wires evident. This could be a switch design issue or there is another issue causing this.

Filed Jan 9, 2008 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet blazer. On october 14, 2003, the check engine soon light began illuminating and the gear would become stuck in third gear. The dealer stated that a new ignition switch was needed and the contact paid for the repair. On january 4, 2008, the service engine light illuminated again and the gears became stuck. The diagnosis was that the ignition switch needed to be replaced again and the repair was made on january 9, 2008 at the cost of $260.90. There was a service bulletin for the malfunction indicator lamp: transmission stuck in third gear, instrument cluster inoperative, replace ignition switch. The purchase date and service bulletin number were unknown. The current mileage was 85,465 and failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 02-12-bf08 *

Filed Jan 19, 2005 · Fuel system · 106,000 miles · CO

The check engine light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic to have it checked and it was discovered, that the fuel injection system was leaking fuel onto the control module. *jb fuel wicking to top of the motor and to the power train control module set on top of the right side wheel well causinga fire hazard.

Filed Jan 25, 2004 · Transmission · 102,465 miles · NY

Transmission has shifted hard from 1st to 2nd since I bought the vehicle used 10/7/03 also get intermittent check engine light used car dealer coded out to trans component slippage but didn't know what to do on 01/16/04 was on extended trip and transmission failed completely - rpms started to climb so pulled over to shoulder of road - kept slipping gears - finally lost all forward motion. On stopping and checking found dip stick showed no fluid but had rust and grit on the end fluid appeared to have been leaking out of the top of the tube and there was trans fluid all over the bottom of the vehicle had the vehicle towed back to used car dealer he put in 8 qts of fluid to get it to move his mechanic said it appeared that the fluid "boiled" out of the dip stick tube but didn't know why in checking the internet it appears that these symptoms are common but unsupported by chevy on this model year of blazer.

Filed Nov 13, 2003 · Electrical, Fuel system · 55,000 miles · NY

Primary: electrical failures! Ignition switch; multiple electrical failures with interior lights for which no one can figure out what is happening; check engine light has come on since I purchased the vehicle even after dealer worked on it; vehicle stalling out while driving almost caused accident; alternator replacement; multiple batteries -drain for unidentified reason; fuel injection system and pump; unexplained noises in the front end; front ball joints loose for which the dealership would not replace when I bought the vehicle because they said it was within factory limits even though my mechanic said that they were not; at this point I have become afraid to drive the vehicle due to the electrical problems and stalling but feel that I have no choice because the costs to maintain the vehicle is that of the payments and sometimes more and I cannot afford the required money down to replace it. Bottom line -I am getting rid of it as soon as I can since I have spoken to other owners who have had similar recurrent problems. I need a reliable vehicle. This is not one and from what I have seen and dealt with -1997 chevy blazers are not. The rule out there is you either have a good one or a bad one and I cannot afford on many fronts the one I have. At least chevy should own up to the electrical problems particularly since it is tied to a moving vehicle stalling out and putting peoples lives at risk. I will not own another chevy once I can get rid of this one. The incident date refers to the period starting with the electrical equipment failures.

Filed Jun 20, 2003 · Transmission · 59,200 miles · OH

Automatic transmission not shifting from reverse to first gear. Causing the engine to race but moving as though it is in second or third gear to start from a dead stop. Once moving at second gear speed it is working fine. Service engine light is on. When scanned it shows codes p0740 and p1860 (p0740 is tcc sensor malfunction ---p1860 is shift plate d grounded to battery)when codes are cleared the codes come back. Transmission fluid and filter have been replaced .

Filed Feb 19, 2003 · Fuel system · 60,400 miles · NY

Engine light keeps coming on had a diagnostic check done with the code p0440 coming up which is the evaporative emissions system yet no-one can find anything wrond with the blazer

Filed Feb 14, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Engine check light problem is an ongoing issue with both current and former owner. 3 different mechanics put ther scanners on the vehicle and keep bringing up the oxygen sensor as the problem. Had one bad sensor at the wiring harness plug which was poorly assembled at the factor causing water to get to the contacts and contaminated the connector. Replaced all 4 o2 sensors and still cannot get the check engine light to go away. Vehicle performs perfect along with 24 mpg gas one highway driving. This is an issues other blazer owners are experiencing. Gm should be held accountable to fix this issue.

Filed Oct 10, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · IN

When I bought the truck, it had a 3,000mile 30 day warranty on it, 60000miles. 1st occurrence with engine light and dipstick corrosion was within that time. Down time for the truck one week. The next month, I was enroute and the light triggered again. Took truck to local chevy dealer who had looked at dipstick before replacement, stated same dipstick. At this point I called chevrolet company who told me the $1800 damage bill caused by the defective dipstick and subsequent transmission damage would be mine to cover.all because it was under warranty and should have been fixed the first time.

Filed Aug 20, 2001 · KY

While driving about any MPH engine light will come on, and there is no way to turn off, even taking vehicle to dealer . Cause of defect could not be found. Please provide more information.

Filed Aug 1, 2001 · Transmission · PA

When first experienced we were coming home from hershey on a hot day when we came to a traffic light. When we proceeded the transmission shifted real hard into second gear causing us to jerk back as the truck jerked forward. This problem continued everytime we would come to a complete stop. We were able to make it to our mechanic and drop the blazer of. The next day when the mechanic looked at the vehicle he could not detect any malfuctions. Approx. One week later we drove to new jersey, the truck was fine until we came to our first traffic light in ocean city nj when the problem started again but this time the check engine light came on. When leaving nj the problem started when we had to stop at our first toll, this time I pulled over let the blazer rest for a while, then started back home and it was ok for awhile but then started acting up again so I pulled over and turned the truck of for about a minute and it was ok for a while again. I noticed that everytime it acted up and I pulled over that I just had to turn the vehicle off and turn it right back on and it would be ok for a while. When returning home our mechanic could now scan the service engine light and reported gear slippage. He talked to a transmission specialists who said this seems to happen on long hot trips, who suggested that this problem can last for years before the transmission would need to be replaced. Contacting aw golden they said they could not help us because the warranty had expired at 36000 miles and we had 41196miles. Contacting gm they said the same but if we would trade it in they would give us a 2000 dollar loyalty. We declined because we like the blazer and would have liked them to give that money to fix the problem. Contacting bbbautoline they said they couldn't help us. We just came from phila. And the problem occured again to and from. Checking the internet we noticed several problems with gm transmissions and decided to contact the federal safety agency.

Filed Feb 19, 2000 · Engine · KY

The engine continues to cut off if the vehicle has been drived for more that 30 minutes and the A/C is running. The engine light does not come on nor are there any warnings that the vehicle is going to die. Dealer cannot identify any problem because computer isn't registering any issues. The egr valve was replaced but problem continues.