Chevrolet S10 1998 - Electrical system - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Chevrolet S10 1998

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
97V208001	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	from 03/01/1997 to 11/05/1997	V (Vehicle)	33973	11/14/1997	MFR	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	11/25/1997	11/26/1997
Defect Summary	Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose vehicles. an engine electrical wiring-harness clip can melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold.
Consequence Summary	The clip material on the exhaust manifold can ignite and subsequently ignite other combustible components resulting in a vehicle fire.
Corrective Summary	Dealers are contacting owners by telephone to have their vehicles towed to the dealer and alternate transportation provided to them until the dealer can reroute the electrical wiring-harness.
Notes	Owner notification began november 14, 1997.owners who have not been contacted within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, and gmc at 1-800-462-8782.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Replacement Bulletin	Item no.	Summary	Added
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3777			10018585	Fuel and temperature gauge inoperative, low fuel and battery light on, prndl inoperative. *tt	01/06/2006
3130	01/01/2004		10010053	Instrument cluster prndl inoperative and or battery light on. *sc	11/03/2004
3031A	01/01/2004		10009647	Driver information center (dic) stays in bulb check. *tt	10/14/2004
00149D	01/01/2004	00149C	10005439	Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. various models including 1996 - 1999 p32 models. sit bulletin 1416475. *tt	02/27/2004
00149C	11/18/2003		10004223	Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. various models including the 1996-1999 p32 and the 1996-2002 gmc c/k truck. *tt	11/21/2003
010856001A	06/01/2001	010856001	623034	Some customers may comment that the security lamp illuminates while driving; engine cranks but will not start; and / or the engine starts then stalls and the security lamp is flashing. *tt	10/25/2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
010501	05/01/2001		622680	Customers may complain that batteries are not charging and a check vehicle message is displayed on the charger. *nlm	10/22/2001
99022	05/01/1999		605940	Information on special policy - product enhancement battery pack conversion. *tt	08/02/1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
250202	02/25/2002		629824	Information on replacing corroded trailer pre-wire harness at the rear bumper. *tt	04/09/2002

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
05/15/2009	135000	1
	My speedometer and odometer has quit working. i am sure you have heard this complaint before but i believe that gm should fix this problem for free one for safety and another for the economic stress that it puts on gm vehicle owners from1997-2004 maybe even newer than that.the problem is that the speedometer either fluctuates or stops working completely and the odometer stops working at the same time, the only repair is to replace the entire instrument cluster, which is not cost effective to the consumer. the safety issue to is that if i can not determine my speed then i put me and many other drivers on the road in danger. think about it if i am going to slow then a vehichle driving the speed limit on any road could possibly have to steer clear of me and or hit me. we all know the safety risk of speeding of course you could look up the statistics on injury-related crashes when a driver is doing 5-10mph over the limit. this concerns me, because i have worked at a gm dealership and gm charges 500-700 dollars to repair this issue most of which is labor related. i feel this should be investigated throughly because i put faith in gm motors by buying their products and working for them. i feel that this is just something that should have been corrected long ago in just my expierence i have worked on this 7 year span of diferent models of gm, and over that many years it should have been addressed. this problem could have been earlier than my timeline or later this is just from my expierence. you can check the offical gm tsb database under many models and find this bulliten, also many other tsb identifacation companies like alldata and find the same complaints on many different models it also effects the odometer so this pretty much denies you quality resale because dealerships know of this problem and there is no telling how long it went on that way, so they deem it past it's mechanical limits whether it reads 7,500 miles or 150,000 miles and to me this is unfair to us. *tr
03/01/2009	60000	1
	The ecm went out. also had a problem earlier about 2-3 months ago. the cam sensor went out. this truck only has 60,000 miles on it. *tr
06/09/2005	65000		03/08/2004
	2 complaints on this vechile 1> needs wiper module recalled, like previous model years (had to pay for this service) 2> both of my tailgate straps are broken..have seen several of these vechiles with same problems. had to replace wiper module and tailgate straps
12/23/2002	52000	1	07/24/1999
	Automatic transmission cooler broke while driving and contaminated other components within the engine compartment. this made driving and gear changing difficult. dealership will replace all contaminated components. ak the service engine soon light illuminated so the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. the consumer had the radiator flushed at 550 miles and the engine continued to run rough. on one occasion, the consumer started the engine and it lunged forward almost knocking him to the driveway. the service manager agreed that the radiator may be defective. ph the battery was replaced, the instrument panel cluster was replaced because it had shorted out. *jb
12/18/1999	27000	2
	With the air conditioner, the relays and fuses keep blowing. i have taken the vehicle to a air conditioning place and they are not sure. with the abs, i was driving down the road in snow, i used the brakes and the anti locks came on and all lights interior and exterior cut off completely. had to stop and restart vehicle. with the electrical problem, i was driving down the road when all ny gauges jumped then went to normal. with the transmission it has constantly slammed into second gear and third gear. i have brought to the dealer numerous timed. it was worked on once, they said they replaced numerous parts on the transmission. upon driving it down the road, the same thing happened. jb dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis***734327
08/01/1998	14	200
	Go to start truck would not start, also tail lights, stop lights backup lights will not work replace fueses and they blow evey time, i have one brake light for now went for 6 months with no lights in back at all, seat belts will not release at times, screws fall out of seat handle, lights inside truck go out at times and bob hook chev. says they cannot find anything wrong had this truck since 1998 bought truck off lot new.*jb
01/15/2003	52000
	Transfer case control module quits working
02/01/1999		2	01/01/1998
	This vehicle was bought for my 17 year old daughter. in august 1998. she parked the truck at a local grocery store and returned about 1 hour later. the truck would not start. she called roadside assistance which took about an hour to get there. they could not jump the truck off. it was towed to the dealership (pierson chevrolet). they kept the truck about 3 days and could not find anything wrong with it. they told me if it happened again to bring it back. this was satisfactory to me. then in approximately november, 1998, my daughter was driving home at night. she was coming down a very steep mountain (231s.) she put her headlights on bright and when she did the lights went out..at the same time all of the dash lights came on (check engine, oil, seat belts) just like the truck had gone dead. her immediate reflex was to dim the lights. when she did, they came back on. we took the truck to pierson the next morning. they kept the truck 4 days, and could find no reason for the lights to go out. they called me and told me to come and get the truck and return the rental car. i asked if they knew why the lights went out, and they (brent ellison) said no. also, he said could not guarantee me the lights would ever go out again, nor could he guarantee me they would not go out again. i asked him if he would put his child in this vehicle and he said yes. i called him a liar and told him that was not a risk i was willing to take. i told him he could have the truck ,and i would contact my attorney. he told me to do whatever i felt i had to. he never told me to contact chevrolet. i was finally told by gmac to contact chevrolet and file a complaint. i did and it was refused. we went to get the truck to remove the cd player. the truck went dead in the middle of a 4lane in front of pierson. would not start...had to be towed. i have filed a second complaint. i am out of room but there is more to this. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
08/05/1998		6	07/01/1998
	There is more to follow on this truck
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
12/23/2002	52000	1	07/24/1999
	Automatic transmission cooler broke while driving and contaminated other components within the engine compartment. this made driving and gear changing difficult. dealership will replace all contaminated components. ak the service engine soon light illuminated so the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. the consumer had the radiator flushed at 550 miles and the engine continued to run rough. on one occasion, the consumer started the engine and it lunged forward almost knocking him to the driveway. the service manager agreed that the radiator may be defective. ph the battery was replaced, the instrument panel cluster was replaced because it had shorted out. *jb
08/15/2000		3	01/01/1998
	When the problem with the cooling system first came up the suv was i thought over heating a bit i called the dealership and they told me not to worry about it as that was nornal for them in hot weather.the suv broke down in springfild mo , we manged to pull into a shop ,they said the damage was to great to repair without costing at least 2000.00, and even then there was no way to know what damge was done to the suv.they did however give me a service bulletin which listed my problem. it seems gm has known of this problem for at leart 4 years. yet when i called the dealerships with this very (i learned later) common problem noone wanted to admit they had even heard of it. even after i read the number to them they still acted as if they had never heard of the problem and in fact didnot know what i was talking about.they did after seveal phone called and agree to fix the problem, however they also admit that there is no way to know what type of damage if any was done to engine tranmission or heating and cooling sytems.
		1
	Delco battery had ran down after only 10 months. took to dealer & had it replaced. problem was due to the electrical system being faulty. *ak
11/24/1999		1	08/24/1999
	Battery post ruptured and damaged the wires causing rust to occur on all area affected battery cable and starter. yh
		1	08/01/1998
	Battery experienced failure. *yc
08/16/1998		1	07/02/1989
	Battery failed. *yc
		1	07/01/1998
	Battery failed. yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES
07/20/1998			03/10/1998
	Battery cables are too short, interfere with crankshaft sensor. qcaw
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
		1	01/01/1998
	Driver side tail light fuse failed. yh
02/01/1999		2	01/01/1998
	This vehicle was bought for my 17 year old daughter. in august 1998. she parked the truck at a local grocery store and returned about 1 hour later. the truck would not start. she called roadside assistance which took about an hour to get there. they could not jump the truck off. it was towed to the dealership (pierson chevrolet). they kept the truck about 3 days and could not find anything wrong with it. they told me if it happened again to bring it back. this was satisfactory to me. then in approximately november, 1998, my daughter was driving home at night. she was coming down a very steep mountain (231s.) she put her headlights on bright and when she did the lights went out..at the same time all of the dash lights came on (check engine, oil, seat belts) just like the truck had gone dead. her immediate reflex was to dim the lights. when she did, they came back on. we took the truck to pierson the next morning. they kept the truck 4 days, and could find no reason for the lights to go out. they called me and told me to come and get the truck and return the rental car. i asked if they knew why the lights went out, and they (brent ellison) said no. also, he said could not guarantee me the lights would ever go out again, nor could he guarantee me they would not go out again. i asked him if he would put his child in this vehicle and he said yes. i called him a liar and told him that was not a risk i was willing to take. i told him he could have the truck ,and i would contact my attorney. he told me to do whatever i felt i had to. he never told me to contact chevrolet. i was finally told by gmac to contact chevrolet and file a complaint. i did and it was refused. we went to get the truck to remove the cd player. the truck went dead in the middle of a 4lane in front of pierson. would not start...had to be towed. i have filed a second complaint. i am out of room but there is more to this. *ak
02/13/1999		1	09/01/1998
	About four hours after i parked my chevy s-10 in my carport at 11 p.m., the truck erupted into flames. the engine compartment is gutted; the front portion of the truck is destroyed. a california department of forestry investigator has determined the cause was likely the vehicleos electrical system. he believes the fire probably started in the fuse box in the engine compartment, then spread to engulf the whole engine. i will be happy to provide you with a copy of his report when it becomes available. the fire threatened the entire building where i live, which includes several businesses and residences. because of a sprinkler system and fast action by fire crews, the building damage was limited to smoke stains on the wall and ceiling. however, the truck is totaled.
11/03/1997			10/01/1997
	The third brake light is inoperative because of an engineering defect in the wiring system. the dealer and the factory is aware of this problem. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
07/15/2002		1
	When driving the truck, it shuts down during odd times. it doesnt shut down when the truck has been driven along time. it happens when the engine is cold and hot. when i mean shut down im referring to the whole truck turning off. the battery light comes on when shut down occurs. i had this vehicle to a chev dealer, the said it was a ignition module, i had it replaced. the same problem happened. i had it to another garage, they said it was a crack sensor, i had it replaced, its still happening. i had it to another garage, they said it was a ignition coil, i had it replaced, you guessed it, still shutting down. i sanked 300 hundred dollars on the so called professionals from chevrolet. im still having the problem. they are dumping parts in my truck and have no idea what it is. i bought this vehicle used and it still has low miles on it. there has to be a solution to my problem.*ak
01/01/2002
	Vehicle stalls after first start. also,security system light comes on. please add further information.*ak
09/01/1999
	While driving 70 mph had a direct impact with an embankment/ pole and a tree during which driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, and did not protect the occupant in the crash. also problems with ignition wiring which caused vehicle to stall. please provide further information. *ak
09/25/1999
	While driving at 45 mph clutch cable broke without prior warning. also, wire harnees shorted out/ brakes are working intermittently/ there is some type of knocking noise within the vehicle, and the left coil spring had to be replaced. *ak
			05/01/1998
	I hit head on at 30mph and the airbag did not deploy. also, the engine sometimes will not turn over properly when i turn the key.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
11/28/2005	69015	3	03/16/2004
	My s-10 pickup will sporadically have the security light illuminate and flash when i try to start my vehicle. the truck will then not start even though it cranks over perfectly fine. the security feature is not a help, but a hinderance. i am using an offical gm key in my ignition when this happens. if i wait at least an hour then there is a possibility the truck will then start as if nothing were wrong and the security light goes out. this has been looked at by a certified mechanic and he states that it is something faulty in the idiotic security system that was standard equipment on this vehicle. i should not have to pay roughly $500 to get a faulty security system that really is a useless non-necessary piece of equipment fixed so that i can simply start my car with an official key! it is outrageous. i believe that one of the following two remidies should be forced upon gm: 1) they should fix this idiotic problem in my security system, or 2) they should bypass the security system that i do not want, have no need in my vehicle, and find a real pain in the posterior. this is the third time in a year that i have gotten stranded because of that damn security light when there is nothing wrong with my truck. *nm
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
07/15/2002		1
	When driving the truck, it shuts down during odd times. it doesnt shut down when the truck has been driven along time. it happens when the engine is cold and hot. when i mean shut down im referring to the whole truck turning off. the battery light comes on when shut down occurs. i had this vehicle to a chev dealer, the said it was a ignition module, i had it replaced. the same problem happened. i had it to another garage, they said it was a crack sensor, i had it replaced, its still happening. i had it to another garage, they said it was a ignition coil, i had it replaced, you guessed it, still shutting down. i sanked 300 hundred dollars on the so called professionals from chevrolet. im still having the problem. they are dumping parts in my truck and have no idea what it is. i bought this vehicle used and it still has low miles on it. there has to be a solution to my problem.*ak
		3
	Engine misses often during acceleration and while using cruise control, consumer states problem is due to faulty ignition system. *slc
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
02/01/2002		2
	While driving/stopping the veh and upon turning ignition to start vehicle again, it will not start. consumer has to jump start vehicle to get it going. took to dealer. problem has not been remedied. ak consumer now states that vehicle will not start after jump starting and on several occasions the vehicle stalled leaving driver stranded. tt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY
08/05/1998		1	07/17/1998
	The vehicle cranks but would not start some times.yh
			10/29/1988
	The engine sometimes stalls while consumer releases the clutch, the engine hesitates and sometimes has little power. the consumer smells fuel and sulfer, the dealer can not locate any problems. the starter does not work properly. the air conditioner blows hot. the transmission is slipping, the clutch locks up in reverse and is noisy. the consumer complains that the vehicle does not stop fast enough. the fan clutch was noisy. *slc
			04/01/1998
	My truck has not failed but since i have owned this vehicle it has once in a while started with what seems like a starter drag, it will not do it all the time and there is no set time? i have had it back to the dealer twice and both times they could find nothing wrong. i have tried it after letting the vehicle for various times.....5 mins.,all night ,etc.
07/20/1998			03/10/1998
	Starter failed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
05/15/2003	72000	1	09/15/1998
	Driver's side rear tail light blew out. *tt
04/01/2002		1
	When the consumer went to change light bulb for the rear middle brake. there were burned wires inside of the brakes bracket. the dealership is aware of the problem.*jb
		1
	Delco battery had ran down after only 10 months. took to dealer & had it replaced. problem was due to the electrical system being faulty. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
06/30/2007	68000	4	06/29/2007
	Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet s10. the contact noticed that the charging gauge was low and the vehicle was not charged at the proper level. he also stated that the gauges and interior lighting worked intermittently. the dealer stated that part of the wiring harness had melted. the dealer also stated that the vehicle was not included in recall # 97v208001 (electrical system:wiring:front underhood). the current and failure mileages were 68,000.
06/01/1999		1	03/01/1998
	This vehicle was in the shop about 8 times for electrical problems, with 5 times being documented. problems started about 4 months after i took delivery of it. nearly all the light switches were changed along with the electronic eye for the lights.
09/25/1999
	While driving at 45 mph clutch cable broke without prior warning. also, wire harnees shorted out/ brakes are working intermittently/ there is some type of knocking noise within the vehicle, and the left coil spring had to be replaced. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
		1	06/16/2000
	The cluster panel lights failed while the consumer was driving. the dealer replaced the panel. *yh
12/18/1999		2	05/01/2098
	With the air conditoner the relays and fuses keep blowing. i have taken the vehicle to a air conditoning place and they are not sure. with the abs i was driving down the road in snow. i used the brakes the anti locks came on and all lights interior and exterior cut off completely. had to stop and restart vehicle. with the elctrical problem i was driving down the road when all my gauges jumped then went to normal. with the trannsmission it has constatly slammed into second and third gear. i have brought to thte dealer numerous times. it was worked on once. they said they replaced numerous parts on the transmission. upon driving it down the road the same thing happened again. *ak
04/01/2002		50	06/16/2000
	While being driven electronic cluster module failed. truck is in repair shop for mechanic to evaluate condition. ak tt
06/01/1999		5	02/01/1999
	This is the fifth time for the gas gauge to quit, now the inst. cluster is inoperable. *ak
12/18/1999		2	05/01/1998
	With the air conditoner the relays and fuses keep blowing. i have taken the vehicle to a air conditoning place and they are not sure. with the abs i was driving down the road in snow. i used the brakes the anti locks came on and all lights interior and exterior cut off completely. had to stop and restart vehicle. with the elctrical problem i was driving down the road when all my gauges jumped then went to normal. with the trannsmission it has constatly slammed into second and third gear. i have brought to thte dealer numerous times. it was worked on once. they said they replaced numerous parts on the transmission. upon driving it down the road the same thing happened again.
07/02/1999		1	01/01/1998
	The pickup was parked in the driveway about six o clock in the afternoon. then about three o clock in the morning the vehicle caught fire. the fire cheif said it was caused by an electrical spark in the dash area.
12/02/1998		1
	Was driving about 45-50mph when smoke was noticed coming from the dashboard area. called the fire department when flames appeared. the flames & smoke were in & on dashboard & floor. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
08/15/2000		3	01/01/1998
	When the problem with the cooling system first came up the suv was i thought over heating a bit i called the dealership and they told me not to worry about it as that was nornal for them in hot weather.the suv broke down in springfild mo , we manged to pull into a shop ,they said the damage was to great to repair without costing at least 2000.00, and even then there was no way to know what damge was done to the suv.they did however give me a service bulletin which listed my problem. it seems gm has known of this problem for at leart 4 years. yet when i called the dealerships with this very (i learned later) common problem noone wanted to admit they had even heard of it. even after i read the number to them they still acted as if they had never heard of the problem and in fact didnot know what i was talking about.they did after seveal phone called and agree to fix the problem, however they also admit that there is no way to know what type of damage if any was done to engine tranmission or heating and cooling sytems.