1997 Gmc M/l van problems
The GMC Motorhome is a recreational vehicle that was manufactured by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for model years 1973–1978 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA — as the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer. Manufactured in 23 and 26 ft (7.0 and 7.9 m) lengths, the design was noted for its front-wheel drive and its low profile, fully integrated body.
In contrast to most motorhomes which were manufactured on drivetrain-equipped frames supplied by a chassis manufacturer; GMC designed, engineered, and built the entire vehicle, and in most cases the interiors, completely in-house. Empty shells were also supplied to other RV manufacturers for interior outfitting and to specialty manufacturers for custom outfitting, ranging from mail delivery and mobile training facilities to people movers and ambulances.
Industry rumors had been circulating for some time that GM was going to build a motorhome. On February 7, 1972, it was made official. About this time the new vehicle was known as the TVS-4, Travel Vehicle Streamlined. The motorhome design continued to evolve in the two main areas of styling and chassis. The Design Center was continuing with both the external and interior designs. There were twelve designers working with sketches and 1/8 scale (A-scale) clay models. Three or four of these 1/8 scale clay models were made, each with unique design characteristics, each refining their shapes closer to the final form. Once these models were completed, evaluated, and approved, full-sized drawings were made using 1/4 inch tape to outline the front, rear and side design. These drawings would guide the designers in the next stage: a full-size clay model.
The clay full scale 26-foot (7.9 m) motorhome was created. Once the shape was completed, the clay surface was "polished" with a sponge and cold water and finished with a silver-blue film of DI-NOC, replicating the painted surface of a vehicle. Upon completion of the full-scale clay, plaster cast segments were made of it. Dimensional drawings were made of this final design for tooling and early fiberglass prototype parts for the first prototype bodies.
The motorhome had a front-wheel-drive transaxle, which GM called Unified Powerplant Package, originally used in the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado with an Oldsmobile 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 from the Toronado, but the later models made use of the 403 cu in (6.6 L) V8. (At the time, the Buick Riviera, which shared most of the same components, and used the same E-body platform, as the Toronado and Eldorado until its 1977 downsizing, was still using the conventional rear-wheel-drive layout.) Both used the GM-designated Turbo-Hydramatic 425 automatic transmission, with a wide roller chain drive to connect the output of the longitudinally oriented engine to the transmission. The final drive was connected directly to the transmission, and power was fed to the front wheels using half-shafts that ran under the front portion of the engine. The engine was fueled with regular gasoline stored in two 25-US-gallon (95 L) tanks.
The GMC was equipped with front disc brakes and drums on all four rear wheels. The front-drive configuration eliminated the driveshaft and rear differential and the solid axle found on most front-engined motorhomes. As a result, the floor could be built with about 14 inches (36 cm) clearance above the roadway. The floor was too low for a rear cross axle, and GM designed the rear suspension as a tandem pair of wheels, mounted on bogies that rode on pins attached to the sides of the low-profile frame. With the exception of the wheel wells, the rear suspension does not intrude into the living space. The rear bogies are suspended using a double-ended reversible sleeve airbag that is pressurized by an automatic leveling system to maintain the designed ride height. The leveling system can also be manually controlled to level the coach at a campsite. The overall chassis design, from the use of an existing GM E platform powertrain and a modified rear suspension, has been considered an early ancestor of the crossover.
The motorhomes were built in either 23-foot (7.0 m) or 26-foot (7.9 m) length, with about 90% of the total production being the latter. The wheelbase from the front wheels to the centerline of the rear tandem pairs is 140 inches (360 cm) for the 23-foot (7.0 m) coach and 160 inches (410 cm) for the 26-foot (7.9 m) coach. All GMC Motorhomes are 96 inches (240 cm) wide and about 9 feet (2.7 m) tall including the usually-installed roof air conditioner. Interior head room is 76 inches (190 cm).
Gross vehicle weight rating for the 23-foot (7.0 m) coach was 10,500 pounds (4,800 kg) and 12,500 pounds (5,700 kg) for the 26-foot (7.9 m) coach. Most GMCs with factory interiors have a 30 US gallons (110 L) freshwater tank and a 30 US gallons (110 L) holding tank.
Body construction consisted of a rigid frame made of welded aluminum extrusions. The body frame was mounted on the chassis steel ladder frame using body isolators. The floor was marine plywood, except where it sloped up at the extremities, where they were plate aluminum. The body panels are fiber-reinforced plastic (fiberglass) below the waistline frame extrusion and at the ends. The upper side body and roof panels between the ends are sheet aluminum. GMCs are notable for their large expanse of windows, which redefined the RV industry at the time. They often had luxury features common on upper models of GM brands, such as cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM/8-track sound systems, an aluminum/fiberglass body, as well as air suspension.
Rear lower compartments provide space for generators and propane tanks. GMCs were optionally supplied with generators from Onan in 4,000 Watts and 6,000 Watts, many of which are still in service. There were no driver's or passenger's doors at the front of the vehicle. A single door amidships on the right-hand side provided access to the main passenger compartment. At the back of the vehicle, the entire rear body panel could be removed by loosening the bolts around its edges. This allowed beds, appliances, and other bulky items to be installed or removed.
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Common 1997 Gmc M/l van problems
The 1997 GMC M/L van, like many vehicles of its era, has a few common problems that owners have reported. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues and their details:
- Steering Assist Sensor Failure: Many drivers of Chevy and GMC pickups made after 1997 have reported their truck will suddenly lurch to the side due to a failed steering wheel position sensor. This issue can cause a service stability message to appear and may occur intermittently or more regularly, such as every time the vehicle is started or the wheel is turned.
- Windshield Wiper Motor Component Failure: On models made between 1990 and 1999, the windshield wipers may stop working intermittently due to a defective wiper motor. This issue can be caused by a faulty wiper motor control board, which may result in the wipers failing to turn on, keeping running after being turned off, or only working on one speed setting.
- Coolant Leaks or Oil Leaks From Intake Manifold Gaskets: Coolant or oil leaks from intake manifold gaskets can be a common problem in 1997 GMC M/L vans. These leaks can result in reduced engine performance, increased fuel consumption, and potential engine damage if left unaddressed. The repair for this issue can be quite expensive, with an estimated cost of approximately $1,000 for a mechanic to replace the gaskets.
- Restricted Secondary Air Injection Valves: The secondary air injection check valves in 1999-2007 Silverados and Sierras can become restricted, leading to reduced airflow and causing the check engine light to come on. Fixing this problem requires replacing the check valves, with an estimated cost of between $100 and $150 per valve.
- Failed Steering Wheel Position Sensor: A failed steering wheel position sensor can cause a service stability message to appear in the vehicle's dashboard. This issue can occur intermittently or more regularly, such as every time the vehicle is started or the wheel is turned. Replacing the sensor should fix the problem, with an estimated cost of about $200 to $300.
- Problems Shared With 2007-2013 Models: 1999-2007 Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierras may also experience common issues found in 2007-2013 models, such as failed 4WD transfer case encoder motor position sensors or selector switches, failed HVAC temperature or delivery mode door actuators, and failed fuel level sensors.
It is important to note that not all 1997 GMC M/L vans will experience these issues, and many have been known to provide reliable service for hundreds of thousands of miles with proper maintenance.
Are GMC vans reliable?
The GMC Savana 2500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 11th out of 21 for commercial vans.
How many miles per gallon does a 1997 Savana 3500 get?
Based on data from 2 vehicles, 26 fuel-ups and 6,299 miles of driving, the 1997 GMC Savana 3500 gets a combined Avg MPG of 10.87 with a 1.02 MPG margin of error.
How long can a GMC van last?
If you keep up with the maintenance schedule of your Savana, it can last long term, whether you use it each day or a few times a week. The longevity of a GMC Savana is around 20 years at its maximum life span.
What year is the most reliable GMC?
The Best GMC Pickup Trucks, Ranked On Reliability And Towing...
- 8 2020 GMC Canyon V-6. ...
- 7 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. ...
- 6 2011 GMC Canyon 3.7L. ...
- 5 2013 GMC Sierra 1500. ...
- 4 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax. ...
- 3 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 6.2L. ...
- 2 2007 GMC Sierra 3500 Classic Duramax. ...
- 1 2016 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax.
1997 Gmc M/l van complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Gmc M/l van.
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Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Gmc M/l van problems:
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