1997 Chevrolet Blazer: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 25, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,000 miles · VA

While driving at night the high beams go out and the interior light will not turn off when the doors are closed or the switch turned off.

Filed Feb 26, 2014 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · IL

I had an issue where my truck did not want to start but the engine would turn so I knew it was not the battery because my headlights did work. I then noticed my interior dashboard lights were not on so I found that very strange. After so many times trying to start my truck I noticed my truck would only turn on if the interior dashboard lights were on. One night after work I was driving on route 83 in illinois and I was going to make a right turn on to route 53 and suddenly my vehicle just turned off completely. Luckily I w,a able to pull over and restart vehicle. It was at midnight, there were no vehicles at the time and I was not going at high speeds. I did some research on the internet and I found out that it was a faulty ignition switch. I had the ignition switch replaced and my vehicle works perfectly fine now.

Filed Mar 8, 2006 · Acceleration, Brakes · 70,000 miles · MI

Owning this vehicle has been a nightmare and a financial drain. Windshield wipers worked when they chose, replaced wiper motor due to defective part. Upper and lower ball joints all had to be replaced. Wheel bearings had to be replaced. A/c stopped working, had it looked at and recharged and it still doesn't work. Fuel gage didn't work, replaced fuel sensor and sending unit. Rear wiper quit working, replaced rear wiper motor, a few days later it does not work again. Replaced water pump, have replaced ABS only to get a recall after the fact with no reimbursement. Wears through brake pads entirely too fast. Replaced alternator and battery twice. Rear hatch does not unlock with key. Headlights are so dim they might as well not exist. Water leaks into interior on drivers side due to a bad seal. Idler arm needs to be replaced. Gas pedal sticks. Now heater fan works sometimes. Reading through the complaints we are all experiencing the same problems and nothing is being done about it. Recalls issued on some vehicles but not all? Now I hear gm put a bad intake manifold gasket on these as well as several other cars (1997) and did not issue a recall because it is not a safety matter! This causes antifreeze to leak into the engine and ultimately ends in a repair of at least 1500.00. After my experience with this vehicle I will be purchasing soon and it most likely will not be gm. Sad since my dad worked for them for 30 years. They should be held accountable for putting a bad product on the market and leaving us to dry.

Filed Nov 18, 2005 · Electrical · 112,698 miles · PA

I have a 97 blazer 4x4 with a little over 113k miles. I've been having problems with the voltage (I think) for a while now. The voltage meter swings from just above 9v to over 14v when I stop at a traffic light. I'm convinced the gauge is not to blame because when I put a load on it, it indicates 9v to 10.5v, the dash lights dim, the headlights wil also dim. I've already replaced (3) altenators and the battery twice which in 4 months and everything is still the same. The gauge will read just above 14v when I'm am driving the truck with no problem but the minute I stop at a traffic light the voltage gauge drops down to 9v or 10.5v depending on what accessories am runnning on my truck. Temperature and frequency between trips seems to not make a difference either. The only thing I have done to the truck even remotely connected to the electrical system is to swap the radio, but I used a wire harness to connect the wiring. I've checked and will recheck tonight for loose wires or bad grounds, but other than that I'm lost. Any help?

Filed Oct 18, 2004 · Lights · 98,176 miles · TX

Complaint sent via-email." I had to have the multi functional switch replaced and it's going out again. The headlights continuously flash from dim to bright when I try to use the switch. I had it worked on by a dealership and now it's at another dealership being worked on for the same problem. This is a serious situation because the headlights go out while driving at night. The cost or repairs is outrageous."

Filed Apr 22, 2004 · Electrical · KY

Electical-ignition switch when I turn on the key,no dash lights or fuel pump doesn't turn on, so I can not start the vehicle. Now, my RPM goes upto 2000-2500 just to get it to move, and asks like it is 2nd or 3rd gear without changing gears. My headlights were going dim, so I replaced the alternator 2 times. I have heard several people say that the ignition switch is bad. I have tried to find a new one, but nobody can get them-they are on back order-why?

Filed Dec 23, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · 59,000 miles · OK

Wiring bundle holder above transmission one of which goes to the transmission switch fails and lets wiring bundle fall on transmission and rubs the coating off of the wiring causing electical shorts; daylight headlights, transmission failure ( nothing wrong with transmission)interior lighting goes out or stays on all the time causing battery to go dead overnight, burning of wiring especially under dash and at fuse box and transmission switch (no fire resulted, unhooked battery removed fuses,and had wire replaced to transmission switch then trasmission worked; no failure of swicth just wiring,wiper and night light failures and more. Transmission auto repair says it is number 1 failure and happens all the time. The dealer said I needed a new transmission. This is a 1997 chevrolet blazer. I still have electral problems I have to get fixed. Some recalls were made on this auto that may be due to this shortage caused by wiring bundle falling above the transmission.

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Electrical · PA

I own a 1997 chevrolet blazer ls that has had repeated electrical problems including stalling while driving. The car stalls, though the headlights, radio, heater/air conditioner continue to work. The steering wheel locks, and I have to stop the car completely, put it in park, and try to restart the engine. Sometimes it starts right away, sometimes not. I'm afraid this will happen in heavy traffic and will cause an accident. Although it's been checked at least seven times, the dealer can't locate the problem. It happened to me three times today, so tomorrow morning it will be back at the dealer. I'm listing the most recent date (12/22/03) as the incident date below, though it's happened many times (I'm guessing at least 12).

Filed Jan 20, 2001 · Acceleration · SD

I reported the problem with my cruise control speeding up two years ago. You failed to respond, confirming that you are in bed with the manufacturers. My cruise control has been in the off position since my first report. While cruise was in off I accidentally hit the middle button on when I tuned on my high beam. The cruise engaged and sped up. Again it wouldn't turn off until I turned the engine off.

Filed Jan 12, 1999 · Lights · FL

The date I listed for failure was the last failure date, yesterday. Teh first date was about a month ago. I have contacted bob fischer chevrolet. I got the vehicle from titusville chev, but they are out of business and bob fischer took over their business. I also contacted chevrolet, the manufacturer. I also contacted my lease company. They refused to do anything to help. This is the only vehicle I have. I do not have money to rent a vehicle. Chevrolet told me to take my blazer in to bob fischer and leave it until the headlights fail to come on in their service dept so they can trace it. Since this only occurs when it is cold and it doesn't get cold in florida very much yet, my truck could be there for weeks and I will not be able to get to work. I asked for a loaner vehicle. They said they cannot provide one. They also said that after they do discover the problem, they still may not fix it for free, but may repair it at a reduced price. This is very frustrating for me and very dangerous. Can you help me, please?

Filed Oct 15, 1998 · Lights · VA

The lighting of the headlights is poor, affects visibility, and may cause an accident. Dealer claims that the headlight meets fmvss. No remedy for the problem.

Filed Apr 17, 1998 · Electrical · CO

Th elecrical system malfunctioned, causing the headlights to go out/power steering and braking system to fail. Anything elecrical can almost cause an accident. Problem still occurring, dealer cannot determine problem.