1997 GMC Jimmy SLE from North America - Comments

When I first got it was leaking brake fluid.

The transmission went out on the way from Michigan to Myrtle Beach.

Need brake drums at 40K.

Water pump.

I think GM needs to work on fixing the reliability of their trucks.

The back seat is very uncomfortable on long trips.

It does accelerate nice. That's about the only thing going for it.

This is why I don't trust lower end GM products. The GMC Jimmy is built off of the same frame, engine, and transmission as the Chevy Blazer, which is about the worst SUV in it's class. I don't mind driving some GM cars like the Camaro, any Cadillac, Corvette, and Suburban, but I think I'll stick to Ford and Mercury because I can't afford a Corvette or a Cadillac.

If you experience transmission problems with this vehicle, check the oil filter access door located under the nose. Many transmission problems with this vehicle stem from an open or ajar oil filter access door. It is located directly in the path of the cooling system. The cooling system will not function properly unless it is shielded. Your engine temp may seem fine but the transmission WILL overheat and parts will break. This is not a widely known design flaw so check it at the onset of transmission problems to avoid costly repairs. It is a design flaw that people don't know about. Unfortunately, the Jimmy is classified as junk because of it. I am very happy with mine, with regular maintenance and attention, your Jimmy will last too. You should try to find out about gas mileage and maintenance requirements before purchasing any truck and you will not be disappointed by owning one.

I have a 1997 Blazer LS with about 60K miles. The vehicle had no transmission problems up to August 12, 2002. That day it was brought in for a 60K mile service which the dealer (Chevrolet in NJ) suggested a flush treatment be done to clean out the transmission fluid. I OK'd this and now regret it.

The day after, August 13, 2002 the Blazer was picked up and the following symptoms were observed: 8/13 hear "clunk" when putting into reverse, clunk when it shifts from 1-2, heard clunk at highway speed when it shifted from 2-3; 8/14 after warm up clunk on shift 2-3, another clunk at 60 mph; 8/21 multiple clunks on acceleration; 8/25 clunk at 70 mph, no overdrive & shifting now at 3-3.5K rpm & shortly thereafter at 4K rpm. I arrived home only to find I had no reverse; 8/26 Still no reverse, still shifting at 4K rpm & shifting is sporadic.

The dealer is denying any responsibility for the transmission problems.

I'm going to take the Blazer to an independent repair shop where I trust the owner for an assessment to determine if the service could have caused the problem. I already spoke with his mechanic who gave me multiple reasons the service could in fact cause the transmission to self destruct.

Conclusion: From this point forward I will not have this kind of transmission service done to any vehicle I own. I'd have it done "the old fashion way", drop the pan, change the filter & replace the drained fluid.

I own a 1997 GMC Sonoma Ext Cab, and have twice now in the last six months had to flush/replace the engine coolant. I heard from a service employee at my local GM dealer that there is an inherent problem with the design of the system, and the Dexron III coolant will turn to sludge annually. So much for long life coolant. Anyone else had this problem? Also, I read the comments on the oil filter access door shielding the transmission cooling system, and causing the transmission to overheat. My transmission often sounds like it is under EXTREME pressure when taking off after idling... I have not heard of this problem before, but will have my GM dealer check it out next service.

I just bought a 1997 GMC Jimmy and I am having problems already. When I go to start the vehicle is hesitates and takes about 3 to 4 chucks to start. When I drove to Illinois the other day I the vehicle pull/jerk then release at once. I think it might be the transmission, but the starting bit I'm not even sure.

We've changed the spark plugs and oil, have the alternator, battery, and starter tested and nothing. I took the the vehicle to check the transmission yesterday and they said that there was a mis-fire code that came up that has nothing to do with the transmission. If some one knows what I could be dealing with please let me know by leaving your comment on the site.

Thanks, Used 1997 Jimmy.

This goes to the person with the starter problem. I had the same problem with mine and it was the high voltage sensor that needed replaced. I hope that helps you out.

I own a 1997 GMC Jimmy bought new, up to the 70,000

kilometer mark all has been well. At the 72,000

kilometer mark the 4.3l vortec was misfiring badly

on hills under load at approx 2700-3000 rpm usually

in 3rd gear. The misfire was so bad that the truck

shook while the rpm dropped and the check engine light

was flashing. I took it to a GM dealer to find out the #3

cylinder was misfiring, after having it in 2 times I learned

that this is an on going problem with the 4.3l. The problem

is that valve guide clearance on #3 cylinder is to tight

and when under load the guide tends to tighten on the valve stem causing loss of compression and engine misfire. GM dealers in the Vancouver B. C area are aware of the problem

and the fix is a $2000.00 valve job. Machine shops in the area have the heads coming in on a regular basis. GM Canada

knows nothing about this problem yet they sent out a service memo to dealers in detail, including the approx mileage in which this problem will occur. (80,000 to 120,000 km.) If you own a 4.3L 1997-2002 take it on a long hill at 3000 rpm in 3rd gear for about 30 seconds or so, hopefully your one of the lucky ones!! i'd love to read about it here if you have this problem or know of it.

I have 1997 jimmy in Ontario Canada has 281,000km on it and it's got a coolant in the intake manifold gasket, if you know how much this job cost or how long it takes I like to hear please. e-mail me at tattooed4ink@hotmail.com. thanks a lot mike.