Today I started my 1997 GMC Sierra K1500 4x4 and the little light that moves under the P R N D 3 2 1 shift indicator did not come on. Neither the speedometer nor tachometer work and the truck drives with considerably less power. All the other gauges work. It drives as if it's stuck in one gear: it takes a lot of gas to get going from a stand-still. It will not shift down to passing gear at high way speeds and it doesn't actually seem to shift at all.

Question 1

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Gmc troubleshooting

More likely the shift cable is binding. Also make sure you fully apply the emergency brake when you park before shifting into Park. This will prevent loading the linkage by the parking pawl making it difficult to move the lever. Especially when parking on a hill.

Also make sure you are pressing the brake pedal when shifting our of Park. Sometimes the brake light switch can be intermittent and either the switch is bad or the switch is out of alignment with the brake pedal lever. This not the most common cause.

Jul 14, 2014 • 1997 GMC Sierra

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2005 GMC ENVOY Gear Shifter won't move,why and how do I fix the problem?

I am assuming the shifter will not move out of Park (you don't mention it). The shift interlock is not working. Thing you can do is turn ignition key little, but just before ignition comes on, and try to move shifter to N. At this stage you can start the engine and shift to D. This is a temporary solution to allow you drive the vehicle to a repair facility. If you are successful, it is the interlock solenoid that needs to be checked out.

May 24, 2014 • 1997 GMC Sierra

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2005 gmc sierra. shift indicator is not showing. will shift into drive but takes a lot of power to get the truck moving. but wont shift gears one it is moving

check the gear linkages may be loose.

Dec 21, 2013 • 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD

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My 1993 Gmc Sierra 2500 automatic first gear shifts hard also from park to drive others gears are smooth i have overdrive

The gear shift lever indicators tell you what gear you have an automatic transmission in on your vehicle. The shift solenoid tells the transmission when to shift gears and what gear to shift into. Newer model automatic transmissions have electronic shift solenoids that are activated and change gears based on the speed the vehicle is traveling. Troubleshooting either one of these transmission components is relatively easy if you know a little about automobile mechanics. With the right tools, you can determine whether the transmission shift solenoid is having a problem. Gear shift indicator problems can be determined simply by moving the gears into their designated position.
Transmission Shift Solenoid

1 Raise each corner of the vehicle up with the car jack and place jack stands under the frame. Make sure the car is raised high enough so you can work under the car freely.
2 Slide the drain pan under the transmission fluid drain plug. Remove the drain plug with a ratchet and socket, and let all the fluid drain out of the transmission. Remove the transmission pan bolts with a ratchet and socket. Pull the pan away from the bottom of the transmission, revealing the transmission shift solenoid.
3 Wipe off the shift solenoid with a shop towel. Disconnect one of the two plugs that attaches to the shift solenoid. Turn the knob on the volt meter to the ohms setting, so resistance can be measured. Set the volt meter on 200.
4 Take the black lead of the volt meter and touch the negative battery terminal wire. Take the red lead of volt meter and slide the tip into the terminal plug you just disconnected from the shift solenoid. Look at the reading you get on the digital display of your volt meter. Determine if the reading is between 12 and 25. Readings below 12 or above 25 tell you that the shift solenoid is not working. Reattach the plug to the shift solenoid and pull the second plug attached to the solenoid. Perform the same procedures on this plug wire. Replace the transmission shift solenoid after determining it is bad.

Gear Shift Indicator

1 Move the gear shift into the desired gear. Look at the gear labels and the arrow, or other indicator, to see if the gear shift indicator lines up with the selected gear.
2 Move the gear lever to another gear and look to see if the indicator lines up with the selected gear. Misalignment of the arrow will tell you if there is a problem. Moving the gear shift to "neutral" but having the indicator show the transmission is in "drive" tells you the gear shift indicator is not working properly.
3 Try each gear position to determine how much misalignment is in the indicator. Slide under the car and check for a loose gear shift cable. Check all the gear shift cable connections to ensure they are all tight and are not missing. Tighten any loose gear shift cable clamps or bolts. Replace the gear shift cable if you find that this is causing the misalignment with the gear shift indicator.

Feb 02, 2012 • 1993 GMC Sierra

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How do i check the transmission fluid in a 1997 gmc sierra

Transmission Fluid Fluid Level Checking

Operate vehicle for 15 minutes or until the transmission fluid reaches a temperature of 180-200°F (82-93°C).
Ensure vehicle is on a level surface.
With brakes applied, move the shift lever through each gear range for about 3 seconds.
Place transmission in PARK position.
Set parking brake and allow engine to idle for 3 minutes.
Remove the transmission fluid level indicator and wipe clean. Reinsert the indicator and give it a full twist until fully seated.
Remove the indicator.
Observe sides of the indicator. The lowest level reading must be within the hot cross-hatched area.

Nov 10, 2010 • 1997 GMC Sierra

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1answer

Sometimes I start my 1997 GMC Sierra k1500 4x4 and the little light that moves under the P R N D 3 2 1 as one shifts the automatic transmission, does not come on. When it does not come on, neither the...

I really need an answer to this question, also. Mine started doing the exact same thing today.

Jul 27, 2010 • 1997 GMC Sierra K2500

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1answer

Truck sticks in park when trying to go into drive or any other gear. it wont move the shifter, on an automatic gmc sierra 1997

Replace the shift lock solenoid whichis located by the shifter inside the truck.It keeps the shifter locked in place until you press the brake pedal to shift

Jun 02, 2010 • 1997 GMC Sierra

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Auto trans shifting problem

check the sensor on the transmission and give these guys a call at Schram auto and truck parts 1-800-292-1032 they sell only GM parts or try online at www.schramauto.com

May 03, 2009 • 1997 GMC Sierra

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1997 GMC Sierra check engine light and starting poorly

Have it scanned. Autozone will do it for free. Then post the code you get

Mar 28, 2009 • 1997 GMC Sierra

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Four wheel drive not working

Check front axle actuator see if it came unpluged

Jan 18, 2009 • 1999 GMC Sierra

Question 2

Frank Diamond

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Posted on Dec 13, 2010

Frank Diamond

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Joined: Dec 13, 2010

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1997 GMC Subburban 1500 loses Tach Speedo and Trans sticks in High Gear. I changed the ignition Starter switch which I read was the problem but problem is intermittant and still exist? AMMCO told me to try changing the Neutral Saftey switch first, but didn't say why?

joevegas46 Aug 27, 2011

Did you get this fixed? I'm at the same point with my truck. I thought for sure it was the ignition switch too.
Frank Diamond Apr 07, 2014

Hi guys, I own the same vehicle and it is not either switch! It is the Anti Theft device. When you Lock you vihicle it goes into theft mode. If you don't unlock it with the remote switch you will see exactly this and the check engine light will come on until 3 starts and cool downs before you can have no codes. IF your vehicle came with a remote switch or Key Chip then this will cure it. You are starting out in Second gear and this will ruin the transmission if you don't attend to it. I am a Master Tech and have changed both switches before I realized the Theft mode problem. Good Luck, this will cure it. PS: you can turn off the Check engine light by disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes.

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2005 GMC ENVOY Gear Shifter won't move,why and how do I fix the problem?

2005 gmc sierra. shift indicator is not showing. will shift into drive but takes a lot of power to get the truck moving. but wont shift gears one it is moving

My 1993 Gmc Sierra 2500 automatic first gear shifts hard also from park to drive others gears are smooth i have overdrive

How do i check the transmission fluid in a 1997 gmc sierra

Sometimes I start my 1997 GMC Sierra k1500 4x4 and the little light that moves under the P R N D 3 2 1 as one shifts the automatic transmission, does not come on. When it does not come on, neither the...

Truck sticks in park when trying to go into drive or any other gear. it wont move the shifter, on an automatic gmc sierra 1997

Auto trans shifting problem

1997 GMC Sierra check engine light and starting poorly

Four wheel drive not working

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1997 Sierra K2500

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Frank Diamond

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Gmc troubleshooting

2005 GMC ENVOY Gear Shifter won't move,why and how do I fix the problem?

2005 gmc sierra. shift indicator is not showing. will shift into drive but takes a lot of power to get the truck moving. but wont shift gears one it is moving

My 1993 Gmc Sierra 2500 automatic first gear shifts hard also from park to drive others gears are smooth i have overdrive

How do i check the transmission fluid in a 1997 gmc sierra

Sometimes I start my 1997 GMC Sierra k1500 4x4 and the little light that moves under the P R N D 3 2 1 as one shifts the automatic transmission, does not come on. When it does not come on, neither the...

Truck sticks in park when trying to go into drive or any other gear. it wont move the shifter, on an automatic gmc sierra 1997

Auto trans shifting problem

1997 GMC Sierra check engine light and starting poorly

Four wheel drive not working

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1997 Sierra K2500

Gmc troubleshooting

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