1997 GMC Safari Consumer Discussions

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• Runs rough under slight loads

  Written by: r2h2 on Aug 5, 2010 8:03:47 PM

  1997 GMC Safari runs rough under slight loads My 97 GMC Safari runs rough after it warms up if I have the brake pedal depressed and the AC turned on in Drive. Or at slight accleration at any speed will run rough some times. I have replaced both o2 sensors, Mass Air Flow sensor, EGR valve, TPS sensor, IAC motor, PCV valve and vacumn line. I have replaced the fuel pump ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Electrical Problems

• Re: 1997 GMC Safari - dim headlights on low beam [jrekj]

  Written by: 1998lincoln on Dec 14, 2009 8:32:30 PM

  Just something to look at, clean the headlight lens, sometimes a film builds up on the outer glass/plastic !

• 1997 GMC Safari - dim headlights on low beam

  Written by: jrekj on Nov 2, 2008 7:30:41 PM

  My 1997 GMC Safari has dim headlights when on low beam. I have checked fuses (all ok), replaced both bulbs, and I;ve cleaned up numerous electrical grounds. The alternator is only a couple of years old. Any suggestions? Thanks.

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• Re: 1997 GMC Safari MAP problem [dlm1954]

  Written by: the_big_al on Jun 27, 2008 4:16:56 PM

  just read your post and it brought a couple of questions to my mind... I currently own an '04 Astro with almost 90K on it and an '01 S-10 with over 110K on it. The Astro gets about 15 MPG average (this is with ladder racks over the top) and the S-10 gets about 16-17 now. It used to get almost [the s-10] 19 in town and I could push it ... Read More

• Re: 1997 GMC Safari MAP problem [samyerardi]

  Written by: dlm1954 on Apr 1, 2008 1:57:58 PM

  If you are doing it yourself which is a very good idea, because you'll know what's been replaced and what's not you should be ok. If you plan on doing the basic tune up along with it you shouldn't have any problems, I'm disabled and I let mine sit over a year until I felt like doing it myself, but I would make sure I cleaned the plenum and egr port ... Read More

• Re: 1997 GMC Safari MAP problem [dlm1954]

  Written by: samyerardi on Apr 1, 2008 4:29:56 AM

  Thanks dlm. I am going to do all the work myself (I've got two other vehicles lined up behind it waiting or me to work on them as well). Any ideas what other sorts of trouble I'll run into with it having sat so long without running?

• Re: 1997 GMC Safari MAP problem [samyerardi]

  Written by: dlm1954 on Mar 28, 2008 3:42:52 PM

  It would stall and idle rough but most map senser codes are created from a differant problem,bad connection, vaccuum leak and so forth and it sounds to me like you have some carbon sticking your egr valve open which these vanss are notoriuos for from the bad design.My pickup which is a ford had a bad map sensor and ran fine until it hit second gear and it just flattened out ... Read More

• Re: 1997 GMC Safari MAP problem [dlm1954]

  Written by: samyerardi on Mar 28, 2008 11:58:08 AM

  dlm, Thanks. That actually makes me feel a little bit better. It's been so long I can't remember what it was doing when we quit using it. Good point on the deterioration of the wires, etc. If the MAP sensor were completely dead (no output), how would you expect it to act?

• Re: 1997 GMC Safari MAP problem [samyerardi]

  Written by: dlm1954 on Mar 28, 2008 10:28:43 AM

  sounds more like cap and rotor problems for the stalling, map sensor could be bad but i don't think it would cause it to stall that bad.sitting for that long didn't do cap rotor and wires much good and usally big culprit in stalling. also these vans are notorious for injectors and regulator problems i have one i just redone and have seen the same problem with most of them. but ... Read More

• 1997 GMC Safari MAP problem

  Written by: samyerardi on Mar 28, 2008 8:00:06 AM

  I will be rebuilding my wife's '97 GMC Safari engine & van this spring/summer. It has sat for 5 years without running so there is a lot of things that need fixed/rebuilt, etc. The last time I looked at it with an OBD scanner it said the MAP sensor was bad. I can jump start it, but as soon as I try to move in drive it starts missing and choking ... Read More

2003 GMC Oil filter

• Re: 2003 GMC Oil filter [flintlockdave]

  Written by: slushpup on Jan 13, 2008 7:03:08 AM

  Well now, I am glad to hear this. I have a 2003 Safari Van and also a 1997 Van. The 97 uses a fram 3980 and the 2003 uses the 3387. My main concern for using the longer filter is that it is easier to take off. My filter wrench has very little room to get the short filter off and then the filter tends to collapse making it that much ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• 1997 GMC Safari

  Written by: loudog55 on Sep 6, 2006 4:34:03 PM

  Intrested in finding out what knocking & clicking sound could possibly mean, any ideas besides, Transmission. It feels sluggish, it knocks when just idling, could there be a safety feature, regarding the braking system that would make this sound, any ideas, feel free to share....just wondering if fixing it would be worth it. Lou

• Re: Need 1992 Help!!! [astrothedog]

  Written by: bunk1 on Aug 14, 2006 11:23:42 AM

  i have a 1997 gmc safari..i have had all the same problems and fixed all that but never worked..now if you take it to AUTOZONE thay have a code finder you can hook up to your van ita all electronic and it pinpoints it perfectly except the fuel pump but when i did mine it came back Camshaft Sensor a $35 part relativly easy to fix and i havent had a ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Real World MPG

• Re: GMC Safari/Chevy Astro: MPG - Real World Numbers [claires]

  Written by: cob on Jun 30, 2006 8:47:45 AM

  1997 AWD averages 17 MPG in mixed driving, 19 all highway and 14 all city. 9-10 when pulling 4000# camper.

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• Re: 1995 GMC Safari VIN W [jdegenhart]

  Written by: hategm on Jul 24, 2005 5:47:12 PM

  You might want to look at a Chilton's manual. I know they made them up in til 1997. I've got an AWD 2000 Astro. No books written. Problem I fixed today was thanks to this site. Its nice to have AC on 104°F day since the damn windows will not roll down on passager side. Found the fix but with AC now, Who needs to roll the window down? Good luck. ... Read More

• Noisy Fuel Pump

  Written by: motoleon on Apr 18, 2005 3:14:09 PM

  Own a 1997 Gmc Safari. The fuel pump has always been a bit noisy but it seems to be getting worse (buzzing/humming sound). Is this a sign of the end or is it considered "normal" for this model? Any help would be appreciated.

• Fuel Pumps

  Written by: herberts on Dec 26, 2003 10:33:01 PM

  I have a 1997 Safari and just replaced the fuel pump for the second time. I have averaged around 60,000 miles per pump. The problem begins with a howling sound in the gas tank that is relieved when I replace the fuel filter, which I have to do now every 3,000 miles. I replaced my transmission at 80,000 miles, and now at 120,000 it appears I need another! GMC refuses to ... Read More

• Safari A/C problem ???

  Written by: mwdream on May 22, 2003 10:48:45 AM

  Wife's safari back in the shop today. A/C not blowing through some of the front vents??? Anybody else have this problem? I am guessing in the past 2 years, we have had $3000 worth of dealer repair bills... lucky that our extended warranty has covered most all of it. Once the warranty is up, this car is gone. I would rather pay $300 a month on a different car, than repairing ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Transmission Problem

• Re: GMC SAFARI TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

  Written by: wasabi3 on Aug 13, 2001 2:42:19 PM

  Have been reading here about shifting problems with different model years of the Safari vans. I have a 1997 AWD that I have had pretty good luck with until recently. At around 83K I started experiencing a quick shifting thud between 1st and 2nd gear, and to a lesser degree between 2nd and 3rd. This would only happen after the van had been driven for at least an hour. For several ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• 1997 GM SAFARI WATER LEAKS

  Written by: bougard on Mar 29, 2001 12:59:45 AM

  I have a 97 GMC safari van that leaks terribly from the rear doors to the extent that the carpet will seep water all the way to the front of the vehicle. there is no noticable water to be seen when the leaking occurs until you lift a floor mat and detect the water under them. Has anyone else had this problem and has GMC responded to your satisfaction. Have contacted ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Transmission Problem

• My Letter to Chevy on Transmission Problems

  Written by: gmaster62 on Jan 13, 2001 3:35:25 PM

  September 23, 2000 Chevrolet Motor Division Customer Assistance Center PO BOX 7047 Troy, MI 48007-7047 RE: 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO VIN# 1GDM19W9VB228729 Dear Sir or Madam: On August 1, 1997 I bought the above vehicle from you through Bob Stall Chevrolet, La Mesa, California. On September 6, 2000, it developed the serious defect of abruptly shifting from 1st to 2nd gear after approximately 30 minutes or 17 to 20 miles of driving. ... Read More

GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

• Re-Setting Theft-Loc Codes - Need Assistance

  Written by: TDambrosia on Aug 25, 2000 3:57:25 AM

  Recently, our 1997 GMC Safari AWD completely shut-off in the middle of a 4-lane highway at about 60 mph. Luckily, my wife was able to maneuver to the berm of the road, without accident or injury, but it was a pretty scary situation for her and our three children. Since it was Saturday, our GMC dealer was closed for the weekend, so we had it towed to a M-Wards service center, ... Read More

• 1997 GMC Safari(lots of trouble)

  Written by: looram on Jan 10, 2000 12:00:25 AM

  I bought a 1997 GMC Safari new in Dec 1996. It was in the shop 42 times in the first 11 mouths I had it. I got so fed up, I was going to start Lemon Law proceedings (in Califrnia). Then GM gave me a free 100,000 mile extended bumper to bumper warranty. Alot of the problems had to do with the fuel injectors(they were replaced four times!). I have not ... Read More