1997 Chevrolet Silverado from North America - Comments

Just bought a used 98 Z71 Silverado. Very clean for the year. Got it home first day and noticed water just inside the driver door. I've pulled all the interior panels and hosed it down. Cannot find the leak anywhere. Any past or similar issues out there? What did you do to fix them?

I bought a '97 silverado 5.0L with 120,000 miles. I love my truck and the previous owner took great care of it. it looks almost brand new, he even sewed on the seat covers the day he bought it so that when I cut them off the seats looked brand new. It pulls to the right and I had the problem corrected, but now it does it again. I have also replaced the brakes (rotors, pads) because they were starting to go. The steering hose had a leak which I fixed and My brake booster was the last thing that went on me. Besides these minor problems the truck starts right up and runs like a champ, I love to drive it! It does shift hard after driving for over 45 min. but I am installing a tranny oil cooler to see if that helps, I am also thinking about putting in a supercharger (roots) and a programmer. I already have intake and exhaust work done. I basically love the 5.0 and would rather have the small block than the 5.7, but I want to out perform the bigger engines by adding on to mine. Any suggestions to achieve this? comments?

I purchased my 97 Chevrolet Silverado brand new and have had it for ten years. I have had nothing, but problems with it since. I've replaced the brake booster 3 times, had the intake manifold gaskets replaced, the fuel pump, water pump, and the alternator. My windshield wipers also had the same defect, and I have also had both door handles break on the inside, and the tailgate latch stopped working as well. Oh, and I too had the hard shifting experience that is so frequently mentioned. I will never buy another Chevrolet again...ever.

I have a 1997 Chevy extended cab Z71 that I bought new. It now has 156,000 miles and has been one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. I have replaced the alternator once, front brakes once, battery twice, tires once (Michelin LT4's have over 100,000 on them), water pump at 140k, steering sensor once, drivers inside door handle about 2 weeks ago, belt once, fuel filter every year, air filter once, transmission flushed twice and fluid and filter once (every 50,000), oil and filter changed every 3000 miles. It has been used to pull a 32 foot fifth wheel camper and 4000 lb boat regularly. It does have the 3.73 rear end with factory transmission and engine oil cooler. I drive it to work every day and anywhere else I need to go. Before this truck I've had a 85 suburban and 1993 C 1500 reg cab. Both of them had transmission rebuilds, but otherwise good vehicles. I don't know, but the regular tranny service and coolers must have helped. I like my Chevy because it rides and drives good and is easy to work on. My wife has had some Fords and she liked them, but to me they were hard to work on and not as comfortable. As for Toyota (that everybody on here seems to tout as great); they probably are good vehicles (my dad had one) but if you need a full size pickup I think that Ford, Chevy, or Dodge are better because they have been making them longer, and parts and service are cheaper and more available. Also I think that right now GM has them all beat on gas mileage and probably price. Buy what you like and take care of your vehicle and it will probably take care of you.

Hmm I have a 97 Sierra 5.7. I also had problems with my tranmission slipping from 1st to 2nd. Took care of the problem by purchasing a kit on eBay; the 4L60E valve body already with after market reamer and valve. I don't have a drill press to work on the trans valve body myself. Paid about $150 on eBay and did the job myself. I didn't have to take the trans out either, just moved the trans cross bar a bit to remove the pan. Have driven it about 20,000 miles since then and it still runs good. The OEM valve is made of plastic and cannot handle the pressure; that's why you need a new one. If you get a dealer part, you get the same plastic one and have the problem later on. My brother took his to the dealer, and 2,000 later for a new trans his truck is back to same problem. The job is easy; just take out the valve body and replace with the one you purchased. When you take it out you can see the difference in the valves.

Now the only problem that I have on my truck is that the brake pedal is too low and I can't pass the damn inspection. The guy who does my brakes passes my inspection, but he closed up shop. Does anyone have the same problem about the brakes reaching low? I have bled, changed rotors, callipers are fine, changed master cylinder, ream pads have been changed and still nothing; they reach all the way down. No sensors are going off so I know it's not the ABS. Well if anyone had the same problem, please help.

Thanks.

I own a 96 silverado, 350 vortec with 4 wheel dr. auto tranny, with 105,000 miles. Its been a great truck with the exception of the intake gasket. Lately though, if in overdrive at 1800rpm and running about 70 mph and I need to accelerate, the truck will give me a vibration through the drive train until I let off the gas and push hard on the accelerator to get it to upshift. I've pulled off the rear axle cover and did not find anyhting of the ordinary, ie: metal shavings. I've also had the drive shaft checked for true and balance and changed the universal joints. Any thoughts or comments?

I have a `97 Silverado with a 5.7L with 267,000 miles on it. I have had to change the fuel pump three times; the trans was rebuilt under warranty when I bought it used at 79,000 mile. I have had to replace the typical items such as battery, alternator, brakes etc. (normal maintenance items so that doesn't bother me). Recently, the engine started missing so I did a tune up on it and the miss went away; the check engine light didn't come on after resetting it. Then, after about a week the check engine light cames back on, and I found a miss in number 5 cylinder. So, I pushed the end of the ign. wire back on and cleared the code again. The next day the miss was back. I swapped the ign. wires with a new set. No check engine light as yet, but there still seems to be a miss. I will change the #5 plug today and see if that helps. I was wondering what symptoms accompanied the manifold leak? I was told I had a manifold leak about 7 or 8 years ago and never did anything with it. Once in a while, I noticed an antifreeze leak, but never saw any great antifreeze loss so never felt the need to replace the gaskets. I'm a retired mechanic after 35 years in the field and I definitely DO NOT take care of my truck as well as I should. So all things considered the truck has been great.

If there is anyone whom could shed a little light on the miss problem, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

Hey I just recently bought a 1997 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab 2WD truck, it has 228,000 miles on it, no tranny or oil leaks, and runs smooth, although when I go to stop it pulls to the right (might need to change the brakes). Just recently when it is cold outside the check gauges light will come on and it will gradually flicker out when the truck warms up. And the gauges all read at normal or better, and I have no clue why this is happening. I was just wondering if anyone has had this problem as well? if you have please send me an e-mail to jmhugs02@yahoo.com.

I purchased a 1997 3/4 ton 454 last year for a personal plow vehicle. I know the previous owner and it was very well maintained. In the 15 months I've owned it I've repaired brakes, battery & belts, rear seals. It's now in the shop awaiting new gas tank, fuel pump, sender unit and lines. That will total over $3k for 500 miles.

I got a 1997 silverado 1500 4x4 extended cab with the 5.7 with the auto transmission. It will shift fine when cold, but will not shift in to low when warm. I just had 3 sensors replaced in the transmission and it worked one day. Now it won't shift into low at stop signs when warm. It will got in to low when I do it manually, but not when I leave it in drive.

The truck has just over 65,000 miles and does not have any other problems. It has rarely pulled a trailer and when it has the trailer weighted less than 500 pounds when loaded.

I just bought a 1997 Chevy,4x4 regular cab, long bed, 138,000 miles,5.7 vortex, automatic trans, Super Clean truck (loaded), it was a trade in at local dealer "from a little old man.

Brakes went to the floor as I pulled in the Driveway bringing it home from buying it, (I questioned the brakes on test drive) dealer did stand behind it and replaced a broken brake line, master cylinder and calipers, But, the brakes still feel soft...

I have drove it for a month now and put 1000 miles on it and it seemed like a really decent truck... but, I smell the coolant faintly and can't find any leaks, and the drivers door handle is cracked (sounds common) so yesterday, I take off on a trip out of town pulling a 1500 lb. Trailer, and make it 50 miles and the transmission goes up in smoke and dumps the fluid, overheated, $150 tow, and $1800 rebuild, 6 hours stuck out of town... and OK, you get it... Enough said... Like a Rock.. Uh Huh.....

I have had my 97 Silverado for 5 years now. I have had no problems with this truck that were not brought on by me. I have had to replace the idler and pitman arms, a ball joint, and a front hub. The reason for this is because I was running 9 inches of lift and 38 X 15 inch Ground Hog tires without steering dampeners. I have had to replace the rear drums, but again I let the brakes go too long. And finally, I have the leaking intake manifold since the day I got the truck never fixed it, but the truck still runs like a champ. I recently lowered it back to factory specs and it runs like the day I bought it. Original engine and trany never rebuilt.

I bought a 1997 Silverado z71 with the Vortec 350 in 2004 with 94,000 miles on it. Although I have always been a Ford man, I've always liked the 88-98 chevy 4x4's.

I must say the engine is one heck of an engine, but that is where my admiration stops. It's been one small problem after another with this truck.

I've replaced the radiator, interior door handles, wiper motor - which it seems every one else has had to do the same - the tail light/blinker boards (both sides) look like they are melting and the dash fuse box looks corroded, and now my truck starts only when it wants to, and the AC/heater motor/blower doesn't work. The heater on my 1966 Ford 4x4 still works!!!

Of course my main problem is the starting problem. The dealer has replaced the terminals in the fuse box (under the hood) and the electrical part of the ignition to the tune of about $600.00 and I still have the problem. Oh sometimes it starts, and when it does start it does run good - no question about it, but I can't take it anywhere without the worries. It's mostly been parked or at the dealer since June, 2007.

The battery and starter are new, and I've always maintained the truck the way it should be maintained, and I do not abuse it at all.

I know all vehicles have problems, and even though I really don't want to get rid of this truck, I don't think I'll buy another Chevy. Does anyone have ideas about my starting problem? Please help.

I bought my 97 chevy silverado 4x4 in October of 2003. It had 168000 km on it at the time, it has 219000 km on it now and I am just starting to have trouble, but it nothing out of the ordinary, Just changed the front end, front brakes twice, water pump 2 years ago, fuel pump 3 years ago, wiper motor 1 year ago, all I have left is a intake gasket. To be honest after 10 years what do you expect it's by far not a new truck and, I drive it like a truck it get's riden hard & put away dirty. This truck is my favorite truck, and it has never left me high & dry. I'm hoping to get another 3 years out of it.

Do any of you guys remember that Chevy commercial where one guy tells the other that 100,000 miles on a Chevy "is just getting broken in". Well it think Chevrolet needs to know there is a difference between "broken in" and "broken down". I read every one of the comments on this site and my 97 Z71 with the 350 Vortec with only 125,000 miles has had all those problems. It's actually easier to list the problems I HAVEN"T had... the engine (when it starts), rear end and transfer case have all performed flawlessly. My dad and I have two 1966 Fords, an 1983 Bronco and a 1996 F150 and the problems with those 4 truck COMBINED don't add up to my Chevy. Call me old fashioned, but I think a truck should go at least 175,000 without ANY major problems. The aforesaid 96 has 185,000 miles and is just now starting to become a problem, but at least it always starts. Like a rock - yeah right. I'm going back to Ford.