The windshield wipers don't work all the time. The last 10 times that I tried to turn them on, they didn't 5 of those times. This has been happening on and off for the past month. Last night I had to pull into the breakdown lane on the highway across 3 lanes in a downpour, because the wipers just stopped operating. I was almost hit because I couldn't see anything.
1997 Chevrolet Blazer: windshield wiper failure
114 of the 767 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer describe windshield wiper failure.
- owner complaints
- 114
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 94,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Windshield wiper failure by model year
What owners say
I own a 1997 chevrolet blazer. A few years back the windshield wipers stopped working while I was driving in a heavy rainstorm on a high traffic expressway. It was a very dangerous situation as there was no visibility due to the wipers stopping. I contacted chevrolet and repairs were made at a dealership. On monday, december 15, 2008, I was driving in a rainstorm and once again the wipers failed. I contacted chevrolet and they gave me a service request claim no. And made an appointment at the same dealership to have the vehicle diagnosed. They told me that I was responsible for the diagnostic fee and no guarantee that they would be responsible for the repair charges. I believe this is a hazardous problem to myself, passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians. This is the 2nd incident. I checked for re-calls on this and there are none.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet blazer. The contact stated that the suspension front upper ball joint was making a popping noise. The failure caused the vehicle to shift, which made it impossible to align the front end. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. She also stated that the windshield wipers worked intermittently. Occasionally, the windshield wipers grind when activated. She stated that the wiper motor works, but the arms do not. If she jiggles the arms, the wipers would work temporarily. The current mileage was 130,000 and failure mileage was 125,000.
Intermittent windshield wiper failure.
Windshield wiper intermittent failure.
Windshield wiper failure.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving the windshield wipers work intermittently. This occurs every time the wipers are turned on. They will work only for short periods of time. The wipers will only start back working after the vehicle is turned off and restarted. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic. It was determined the washer motor is failing. There is an the federal safety agency recall, 03v159000, regarding the windshield wiper/washer. The VIN was not included in the recall.
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.
I recently purchased a 1997 chevy s-10 blazer. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that the windshield wipers would work sporadically, and sometimes not at all. I researched this issue and found on different internet forums that others had an issue with this too. I then did a recall search and found nothing under 1997 chevy blazer, however, under 1997 chevy s-10 (my blazer is the s-10 model) a recall pertaining to exactly what I am experiencing (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v159000). I then proceeded to contact my local chevrolet dealer, and with no avail, was told that my particular model was not included. So I then contacted chevrolet directly, and again was told it was not subject to this particular recall. In the recall summary, it states "on certain minivans, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles." I would like to have this matter taken care of without any financial impact on my part. Obviously I am experiencing exactly what the recall states.
Back in 8/04 took car to dealer because blazer wouldn't start all the time,no idiot lights,just crank. Dealer installed starter relay switch and advise to get new key, not real fix,maybe ignition switch needs to be replace, maybe key will help. Problems continues immediately, try new key, problems the same but in 11/05 it is happening more frequent then on 12/02/05 won't start at all. Tow to dealer, tells me I need new ignition switch,tell ok do it. Next day I go to pick up and car not ready,different problem, we found wiring harness melted. Wiring harness is for wipers and ignition. Back in 02/04 had wiper board replace because of short. Board was replaced because I got a letter from general motors stating bad wiper board,safety issue,replace for free. So dealer has charged me for a starter relay and wiring harness when I think it might have been wiper board issue that gm admits to. Dealer has charged over $600.00 and I don't know if car will burn in future.
Dt: the contact stated the windshield wipers would work intermittently, they would operate on high when the indicator said low, and they would not turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they replaced the windshield wiper motor. There have been no more incidences since the repair.
Gm would not honor recall for my 97 blazer windsheild wipers do not always work recall number 03v159000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
- Risk
- If this were to happen, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on april 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 03V093000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer wipers
Is windshield wiper failure a common problem on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer?
114 of 767 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer (15%) mention windshield wiper failure. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
How much does it cost to fix windshield wiper failure on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
Ball joint 95ABS 46Brake failure 34Fuel gauge 33Fire or smoke 20No deployment 19Fuel pump 19Stalling 19Transmission failure 15Grinding brakes 13Won't start 13Check engine light 12Headlights 12Adaptive cruise 11Jerking 10Slipping 8Airbag light 7Engine failure 7Seat belt 7Loss of power 6Overheating 6Premature wear 6Door locks 5Won't shift 5
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