1998 GMC Jimmy: sudden loss of power

Filed Nov 8, 2004 · Electrical · DC

1998 gmc jimmy experienced problems with ignition switch which caused instrument to panel lose power and transmission to lose first and second gear.*mr vehicle would only run in third and fourth gear. The key also became locked in the ignition. This was all due to the switch going bad. *bf

Filed Sep 10, 2003 · Acceleration · 65,000 miles · PA

Serious safety concern: tachometer and speedometer gauges are faulty. The needle for both gauges erratically goes from left to right and then back to left and stays at 0. This happened several times randomly while driving the vehicle. Currently it appears as if these gauges no longer function at all except with a brief on and then off again surge. The vehicle has lossed noticeable power during acceleration since the instrument cluster failure. Additionally, the ignition key remains stuck in the ignition, also since the failure of the instrument cluster panel. The service engine soon light appeared when the gauges ceased to function. Problem occurred after vehicle passed 65,000 miles on odometer. Vehicle unsafe to drive due to random faliure of instrument gauges and subsequent loss of power. Recall recommended due to safety concern.

Filed Sep 21, 2002 · Acceleration, Electrical · MS

1) instrument cluster intermittently shuts off while driving, then pops back on. On two occasions, it happens while crossing traffic lanes and also lost power - almost struck by oncoming traffic. Service engine light also comes on after such an occurence 2) exhaust noise during accelleration. Gets more pronounced as vehicle comes to normal operatoring temperature (3) driver side seat recliner lever broke off without much pressure being applied (4) air conditioner compressor went out during family vacation. Compressor squeeked for months before it finally quit (5) alternator died.

Filed Aug 19, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Last week truck lost all power and I could not get my key out of the ignition,once all power was back key came loose.I have had a problem with muffler since 1st month sounds like a hole in the exhaust and makes a loud ping sound ,dealer just told me I needed to replace muffler.when in reverse and backing out of driveway a loud clunk sound from front passenger side.have lost power 2 times while driving down the street.have also noticed that when I turn anything on in the car I am losing a significant amount of power .this includes blinkers,radio,A/C ,if they are all on my volts drop to almost 11.

Filed Jul 7, 2000 · Engine · OH

Engine stalls while driving usually at low speeds or turning. Also, idling causing a loss of power. Consumer has taken it to dealer 4 times, but dealer cannot duplicate defect.

Filed Jun 9, 1999 · Transmission · WI

Transmission slipped and lost power while towing 4200 pound rv, a unit well under the towing capacity of the gmc jimmy. Transmission got hot and slipped with noticable loss of power. Odd odor came from engine compartment, also. "service engine soon" light came on during fuel stop. We thought it was due to fuel cap or gasoline used. Contacted dealer upon return from trip and had item scheduled for check on mon 6/7/1998. Had transmission oil and filter changed and mechanic noted oil excessively black. Check engine light monitor indicated tranmisssion had overheated twice. Recommendation was to drive slower, change oil and filter more often, get a wind resistance deflector for towing vehicle. Vehicle has towing package with extra transmission oil coller rated at over 10,000 pounds towing capacity. Salesman, who was a previous rv dealer/salesman, assured us when we purchased the vehicle that it was more than adequate to handle the towing of the rv (26 foot dutchman lite, rated at 4200 pounds). Afraid that transmission will fail again and we will become stranded. Wife, who drives vehicle daily, also noted that transmission felt like it was slipping periodically when driving without any load attached to the veheicle. Am overly concerned now that I also have a 1998 gmc sonoma with same engine, trnasmission, and towing capacity for alternate for towing rv, and that it's transmission may experience the same symptoms.

Filed May 6, 1999 · Electrical · FL

The car while driving at a high speed, lost power, the transmission dropped into low gear, and would only proceed at a slow speed, this happened more than once, the service engine malfunction light came on and stayed on.I was told by the dealer that they could not detect the problem. The problem occured near, for the third time, near coral springs gmc and I took the car into them immediately and they came up with transmissions codes on the computer. I was told to take the car back to king since the other dealer did not have a tranmission mechanic. King was contacted and I was told to bring the car in later , the engine malfunction light went off and it drove normally. The day I brought the car to king it occured again, and this time the symptoms were the same, but the instrument also went dead. King reported to me that the problem was not the transmission but the ignition switch which caused the computer to loose power, creating the transmission to downshift and, the car to loose engine power, and the instruments to fail. At high speed this creates some concern as you can imagine. They indicated it has happen on other vechiles. I contacted general motors since I considered it a safety problem. I feel owners and other dealers should be notified, since apparently it is not easily recognized. Thank you.