1997 CHEVROLET S10 Electrical System Problems

A MONTH AGO MY VEHICLE HAD A DASH BOARD LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT. DURING THIS PERIOD I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, HE PLACED IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AT A COST OF JUST UNDER $100. THE LIGHT HAS CONTINUED TO COME ON AND THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED TWICE DURING THIS TIME. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR RECALL NOTICES FOR THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY SUCCESS. I BELIEVE THIS COULD ESCALATE INTO AN ACCIDENT, AND I CERTAINLY CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE MECHANICS OR THE DEALERSHIP FOR DAYS ON END WHILE THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. CHEVROLET SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN, GIVE ME A VEHICLE TO DRIVE UNTIL THEY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 117,451

I AM FILING THIS REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE VEHICLE OWNER. OWNER NAME IS [XXX]. I AM A PRIVATE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SERVICE PERSON, AND HAVE IDENTIFIED TWO SOFTWARE DEFECTS IN THE BATTERY PACK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USED IN THE 1997-1998 MODEL CHEVROLET S-10EV ELECTRIC TRUCK. THE VEHICLE NOTED IN THIS COMPLAINT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A FIRE THAT BEGAN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS CHARGING IN THE CUSTOMER DRIVEWAY. I BELIEVE THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF ONE OF THE TWO KNOWN SOFTWARE PROGRAM DEFECTS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING THESE SUSPICIONS, AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY AS TO WHETHER THEY HAVE INTEREST IN INVESTIGATING THE FIRE, AND IF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAM DEFECTS WILL BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE FIRST OF THREE VEHICLE FIRES OCCURRING DURING CHARGING WITHIN A SIX MONTH PERIOD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 15,000

I AM FILING THIS REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE VEHICLE OWNER. OWNER NAME IS [XXX]. I AM A PRIVATE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SERVICE PERSON, AND HAVE IDENTIFIED TWO SOFTWARE DEFECTS IN THE BATTERY PACK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USED IN THE 1997-1998 MODEL CHEVROLET S-10EV ELECTRIC TRUCK. THE VEHICLE NOTED IN THIS COMPLAINT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A FIRE THAT BEGAN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS CHARGING AT A PUBLIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. I BELIEVE THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF ONE OF THE TWO KNOWN SOFTWARE PROGRAM DEFECTS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING THESE SUSPICIONS, AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY AS TO WHETHER THEY HAVE INTEREST IN INVESTIGATING THE FIRE, AND IF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAM DEFECTS WILL BE RESOLVED. THIS IS THE SECOND OF THREE VEHICLE FIRES OCCURRING DURING CHARGING WITHIN A SIX MONTH PERIOD. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 18,000

SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I CANNOT GET THE CORRECT FUEL AMOUNT TO SHOW ON THE GAUGE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WAITING FOR A RECALL WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE GAUGE SAYS I HAVE FUEL. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH CAUSING DAMAGE. I WAS PLACED IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION MORE THAN ONCE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. CHEVROLET WANTS ME TO PAY $220.00 FOR PARTS AND ANOTHER $175.00 LABOR AND I CANNOT AFFORD THAT AMOUNT. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON,#5 FUSE BLOWS CONTINUOUSLY IN FUSE BLOCK, RUNNING LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSTICS RAN EVERYTHING OK ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. *NM

Mileage: 80,000

I HAD A P0300 CODE WHICH IS A RANDOM MISFIRE CODE AFTER REPLACING ALL THE PARTS THAT I WAS TOLD THAT GIVE THIS CODE I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. AFTER DOING SOME IN DEPTH RESEARCH I FOUND THAT GM HAD PURCHASED DEFECTIVE DISTRIBUTOR DRIVE GEARS THAT WERE NOT HARDENED PROPERLY CAUSING THEM TO WEAR OUT. THE KNOCK SENSOR WOULD PICK UP THIS WEAR AND THE COMPUTER WOULD RETARD THE TIMING AND CAUSE CROSSFIRE OR A SPARK JUMP THAT CAUSED THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP TO PREMATURELY BURN OUT. GM NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER DID A RECALL ON THIS. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON PARTS I DIDN'T NEED IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THIS. INFORMATION NEEDS TO GET OUT TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CHASING THIS P0300 CODE ON GM VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE IS A 97 S10 4.3 VORTEC. WHEN THE COMPUTER KICKS THIS CODE OUT THE ENGINE SKIPS OFF IDLE AND THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND STUMBLES. AFTER REPLACING THE DISTRIBUTOR THAT HAD A NEW DRIVE GEAR THE VEHICLE RUNS LIKE NEW AGAIN AND NO CODES ARE SET. *JB

Mileage: 98,000

MY S10 STALLS CONTANTLY. GOING 60 OR GOING 15, DOESNT MATTER. ALL GAUGES SLAM TO ZERO AND SOMETIMES IT RESTARTS, SOMETIMES IT DOESNT. I LOSE STEERING AND ITS REALLY DANGEROUS. HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, I HAVE TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART, SOMETIMES IT DOES, OTHER TIMES IT DOESNT. INCIDENT DATE STARTING 6/25/04 AND STILL CURRENTLY HAPPENS. STARTED OUT ONCE IN A WHILE. NOW ITS A FEW TIMES A DAY. SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT MORE IN COLDER/MOIST WEATHER

Mileage: 80,000

AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, ENGINE STALLED, AND THERE WERE NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. IT WAS AN A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *NM

Mileage: 62,000

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, AND SOMETIMES WOULD RESTART ON ITS OWN. ALSO, SENDING UNIT MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE NOT TO REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

FRAYED WIRE BUNDLE CAUSED BY CLUTCH ARM RUBBING AGAINST WIRES.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ORIGINAL AND 3 ADDITIONAL IGNITION COILS, CAPS, AND HARNESSES CORRODED IN A 4 YR TIME SPAN. ORIGINAL AND TWO REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MOST RECENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SO BADLY MELTED, TWISTED & DAMAGED THE MECHANIC STATED THAT I WAS "LUCKY" NOT TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ENGINE BLOWN. ALSO, HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING THIS BADLY DAMAGED IN HIS 25 YRS OF SERVICING MANY MAKES OF VEHICLES. THIS IS A 4 YR OLD VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS LIKE A TREND IS ESTABLISHED FOR REPLACING THESE SAME PARTS APPX. EVERY 17-20,000 MILES AND 10 MONTHS APART - JUST LONG ENOUGH THAT GM WILL NOT HONOR THE PARTS WARRANTIES. I DO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE LONG DISTANCES (300 MILES ONE WAY EACH WEEK TO A WORKSITE) BUT ALSO MAINTAIN IT TO THE MANUFACTURERS SPECS. I THOUGHT I BOUGHT A RELIABLE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEPENDABILITY IS QUESTIONED WHEN THE VEHICLE LOSES MOMENTUM AND STALLS ON HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY POPS ON, & I'M PAYING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY FOR TOWING & REPLACEMENT PARTS TO RESOLVE A PROBLEM GM WILL NOT ADMIT TO HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE. GM HAS NOT ACKNOWLEGED THIS PROBLEM OR RESOLVED IT IN ANY WAY. A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE THESE PARTS, AS WELL AS THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY SPARK PLUGS (AT 73,000) WHICH WERE CORRODED DUE TO THE CORRODED IGNITION COILS. ADDITIONAL INFO AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ALL INVOICES IF NECESSARY.

APPROX 5MIN OF DRIVING AT RESIDENTIAL SPEEDS ENGINE WOULD CUT IN AND OUT AS IF RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED OBOUT 1/3RD FULL. FIRST TRIP TO THE DEALER FOUND TWO TROUBLE CODES: SP0440 & P0171. WAS TOLD TO TIGHTEN GAS CAP AND RETURN IF PROBLE PERSISTS. WITH FULL TANK OF GAS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ENGINE CUT OUT AND BACK IN CAUSING QUITE A JOLT. PROBLEM CONTINUED ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING. BACK TO DEALER (ONE WEEK AFTER 1ST VISIT) TO FIND OUT FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. FOUR MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT LOW MILEAGE, SO I COMPLAINED TO DEALER. "GOODWILL" REPLACEMENT BY MFG ALTHOUGH OUT $220 FOR 2 TRIPS INTO DEALER FOR PROBLEM SOLVING.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 25MPH BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON & VEHICLE CUTS OFF. AT TIMES WHEN THE A/C IS, ON IT FEELS LIKE IT'S DRAINING THE ALTERNATOR. DEALER SAYS THE ALTERNATOR IS GONE BAD, NO EXPLANATION.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 25MPH BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON & VEHICLE CUTS OFF. AT TIMES WHEN THE A/C IS, ON IT FEELS LIKE IT'S DRAINING THE ALTERNATOR. DEALER SAYS THE ALTERNATOR IS GONE BAD, NO EXPLANATION.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 25MPH BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON & VEHICLE CUTS OFF. AT TIMES WHEN THE A/C IS, ON IT FEELS LIKE IT'S DRAINING THE ALTERNATOR. DEALER SAYS THE ALTERNATOR IS GONE BAD, NO EXPLANATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HORN CONTACT AND/ OR CANCELLING CAM WAS REPLACED TWICE. WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL CERTAIN PLACES HAVE A DEAD SPOT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER'S SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE, IT ROCKS. WHEN PULLING SEAT BELT ACROSS CONSUMER, AND LEANING FORWARD TO ADJUST THE RADIO, SEAT BELT LOCKS UP. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD VEHICLE JUST DIES. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE BATTERY. HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

HORN CONTACT AND/ OR CANCELLING CAM WAS REPLACED TWICE. WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL CERTAIN PLACES HAVE A DEAD SPOT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER'S SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE, IT ROCKS. WHEN PULLING SEAT BELT ACROSS CONSUMER, AND LEANING FORWARD TO ADJUST THE RADIO, SEAT BELT LOCKS UP. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD VEHICLE JUST DIES. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE BATTERY. HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

FUSE TO FUEL PUMP FAILED.

SPARK PLUG INSULATOR CRACKED.

BATTERY SHORTED OUT.

MADE A U-TURN AND FELL INTO A DITCH. AFTER THE DRIVER GOT OUT OF THAT DITCH SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY, AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK