12th May 2003, 12:53

I have a 97 LS. Dying at stop lights and rough idle was being caused by a leaking power brake booster. This creates a vacuum leak in the engine. If yours has a problem you should hear a hissing noise around master cylinder. I had mine replaced with a rebuilt one, around 250$ and it completely solved the problem.

31st Jul 2003, 21:27

I have a 1997 LT Blazer and I just bought it in August of 2002. Everyone keeps telling me they have really good engines and will last forever if you take care of them. The blazer has a lot of highway milages because I bought it from a 1 owner. I had problems with the wipers, but they replaced the motor for free. It just started dying on me at stop lights yesterday, but it starts back up just fine. I'm really frustrated because nobody can tell me what's wrong with it. We think it may be the fuel pump, but nobody knows and it will cost around 800.00 if it is. We don't want to get this done until we know if that's exactly what it is. If I would known this was going to do this I would have stuck with my Hondas. I have never had any problems with those cars. We changed the fuel filter because apparently you have to change those every 6 months. I did not know that. Does anyone have some advice?? I've wasted so much MONEY for people just looking for the problem!!!

23rd Aug 2003, 16:43

I know I'm posting this months after the request, but better late than never, and I hope somebody else will get some use out of it. There's a valve (not sure what the proper name is) associated with the 1st to 2nd shift that becomes oblong after repeated use (heat is also a factor). GM replaced it with a more reliable part in about 2000, but replacing this will cure any rough shifts from 1st to 2nd. The job cost me $119 at AAMCO.

12th Sep 2003, 06:52

I have a 1997 GM Jimmy with 112,000 miles. The vehicle has had several of the problems posted on the site. In 2002 the vehicle would shut off for a moment while running down the road and sometimes while stopped. The culprit was worn contacts in the ignition switch. The part cost about $115 from GM.

For the past several months the transmission has begun to shift hard from first to second and slip some in overdrive. When this occurs the check engine soon light illuminates. The code found is P1870. From what I have found in some of GM's service manuals, it means the transmission is slipping due to the valve body not fully shifting allowing torque converter lockup. The computer senses the slip in overdrive and tries to compensate by applying more pressure to the pressure plate. This causes the hard shift in the lower gears. GM service center quoted a price that would not exceed $500 to change out the valve body with one that is beefier and more reliable.

9th Feb 2004, 07:07

I have a 1997 LS with only the stalling problem it has 70,000 miles on it. I've replaced the alt, battery, fuel pump, fuel filter, crankshaft sensor, pick up coil, module, still dies going down the road. No codes are ever set. I'am really leaning on the key switch being the problem, any suggestions? This has already gotten personal know!

24th Jun 2004, 15:34

My 97 blazer fuel gauge not working always shows full when I'm really empty. replaced the sensor in the fuel tank 2 times.still still on full. any ideas how to find the real problem what to do. so frustrated. write me at otis368@yahoo.com thanks larry. 6/20/04

31st Jul 2004, 15:12

I have had a couple of the problems with my 97 s10 blazer LS that others have described.

The problem with the wipers is easily fixed. The problem is a small circuit board that controls the wiper speed. I replaced it myself, very easy. Cost was about $16 from auto parts store.

It is located against the firewall on the driver side, just under the hood. There is a black cover protecting it, remove a couple screws and its off.

I had the crazy shifting problem, but when a diagnostic computer was connected, it would give many different errors. The problem was the ignition switch was worn. $300 to get it replaced.

My fuel gage quit working about 60k miles. I had to replace teh fuel pump, which is in the gas tank, because the fuel level sensor and the pump are all one unit. You cannot purchase just the sensor. Pump was $350. I replaced it myself. Not a terribly difficult job, but you will need friends help. NO special tools needed. Make sure you take is emty or nearly empty.

26th Oct 2004, 10:47

From Steve in Albuquerque New Mexico

I own a 97 Olds Bravada, I bought it with around 101,000 miles on it. Not too long after I bought it I noticed that it started to run a little fowl, and got progressively worse. Then I noticed that riding down the highway the locks would unlock and then lock. Sometimes, but not all of the time, it would cut off at a stop light, but would start right back up. I knew the end was coming when I would turn the key and no power would be sent to electrical system. Diagnosis: The wiring harness right behind the ignition went bad, a very, very common problem with this style Blazer, Jimmy, Bravada. I got the harness from U. S Distributing in Albuquerque NM (my town) (1-800-351-0060) for a ridiculously good price, had a friend install, all for under $100. My fuel gage went bad (just as above) but my Bravada has the info center that tells me gas used, and is accurate within.2 gallons each time I refill. I have to say I like this Bravada a lot, I am getting over 19 MPG with mixed city/highway driving. All of the complaints stated above are true of most all new vehicles, SUVs even more so because of the platform. I accept my Bravada as used and smile every month I don't have to make a car payment, and plan to do things to bring her up to new car status in near future. Oh, experienced the hard shift on one occasion in stop and go mid summer high heat conditions. $19.99 transmission service and she is smooth as silk.

2nd Feb 2006, 18:44

I also have had these problems out of my blazer. My windshield fluid won't work unless there is frost on the windows. The transmission slips and won't go into gear until it warms up.

10th Feb 2006, 17:57

I, too, have a 97 Blazer LS that's been cutting out on me or revving hard. After being told that I will need to have my transmission rebuilt... my car was returned! I was told instead that I am in electrical fail safe mode. I was sent to the dealership... ARRRGGGHHH (Holy high prices, Batman)! Wish me luck... but this is a problem... do they recall and fix vehicles as old as ours?