1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems

Filed Aug 10, 2011 · Electrical, Visibility · 142,265 miles · OR

Windshield wiper defect: windshield wipers fail to operate correctly, or at all, during adverse weather conditions. This equipment failure puts a driver and all passengers at risk of harm due to inhibited visibility. Have had to suddenly change lanes on highway during heavy rain, pull off, stand on edge of door trim with traffic driving by, and push the wipers manually up and down to get them working again. Sometimes I will have to open the hood of the truck, push the fuse tight, push the wipers to start them, and then go. Our 1996 chevy suburban was recalled due to a windshield wiper defect, they have worked fine since the windshield wiper component was replaced.. I have contacted our local chevy dealership twice to have the windshield wiper defect repaired on the 1997 c1500 truck. Since the previous owner did not do it while it was under warranty, and the VIN number on the truck does not fall under the recall ( the service manager pulled up the recall and checked the VIN number of our truck against the numbers on their list on 08/06/2011 at 12:20 p.m.), they will not replace it. This is because, as it is now not under warranty, they would not be reimbursed by gm, regardless of my reminding them that not replacing it remains a safety risk to the owner of the vehicle. This has began in 2001. Since our son is going to get his license, and would like to have the truck, I would like to ensure his vehicle is a safe one. If I had known where to file a complaint regarding this matter, I would have done this 8 years ago. The dealer told me there was nothing they could do, except replace the part.

Filed Oct 1, 2006 · Electrical · 174,000 miles · GA

No warning of brake light failure. Upon depressing the brakes on the 1997 chevy c1500 it blows the fuse to brake lights. Vehicle can be operated with out brake lights with out driver knowledge.

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 106,000 miles · MS

We are currently having our 4th fuel pump placed in our truck, this time after it died on the interstate. We towed the truck home and tried to diagnose the problem when we got under the hood we discovered the ignition control module was overheating it was so hot my husband burned his finger. We replaced it but that didn't fix it. We sent the truck to the shop and were told it was the fuel pump again, the wires on the pump were burn and melted which was causing the icm to overheat. This is the same thing that was wrong with the original pump that was replaced in sept 01, april 04 the second pumps' fuel level sensing unit (a thin piece of metal sliding across a set of conductors) became corroded and got stuck on empty, and now the 3rd pump has burnt melted wires. All repair were at my cost. We real luck the thing didn't blow up! But trying to coast to the side of the road while praying to not be hit by the 70+ MPH traffic is terrifying. This electrical problem seems to be "common" among gm truck owners, so why hasn't gm stepped up to help?

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Electrical · TX

1997 chevrolet 1500 fuel pump.*mr wiring burned inside the fuel tank going to the fuel pump and fuel gauge sending unit. The wires were burned so it melted the insulation and the wiring connectors.

Filed Mar 22, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · 124,614 miles · MN

I have had a dangerous situation occur with a failure in the fuel injection system, involving the wiring harness and vehicle control module (vcm) of my 1997 chevrolet k1500. The vehicle was towed into a chevrolet dealer, for service due to a crank but no-start issue on january 29, 2004. Upon diagnosis by the mechanics, they determined that the fuel injection system had somehow developed a leak, which caused fuel pressure to build-up where the wiring-harness entered the unit. Then, fuel was forced at high pressure between the wires and insulation until it pooled up inside the vcm. The dealer's mechanic, per diagnostic testing, stated that the installation of a new vcm, wiring harness, and injector system is necessary to fix the problem. I consulted with a different gm mechanic from another dealership about this problem and he said I was lucky it did not explode, and recommended that I contact gm owners assistance about this matter, however they were of no help and would not recognize the danger of this situation. This is an extreme safety hazard that could have caused a damaging engine fire and possible injury or worse. Therefore, I am requesting that a recall would be placed on this problem to prevent possible injury to others.

Filed Aug 1, 2002 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · NY

While driving the battery cable wires became hot and the wires melted. The dealer has been notified. *ak *scc

Filed Jul 30, 2002 · Electrical · PA

The air bag light illuminated, consumer took vehicle to the mechanic who informed consumer that there is a horn ring under the air bag in the steering column that has two wires. Most likely one of the two is broken which causes the light to stay on. He also stated to consumer that this was a common problem with these trucks. Consumer had the part replaced and had to take vehicle to the dealer to clear the computer. The service department informed consumer that the control module was friedbecause the wires shorted out in the steering column.

Filed May 13, 2002 · Electrical · OH

Wires were melting into gas tank.

Filed Oct 18, 2001 · Electrical · CO

Wires leading to fuel pump and fuel level gauge inside tank insulation had gotten hot enough and melted in upper connector. Contacted dealer, and dealer had the problem regularly.*ak

Filed Sep 28, 2001 · Electrical · TX · fire

Electrical fire started in drivers door, possibly located at electrical mirror switch, claim 53-c814-263.