Is Your 1997 GM Truck or Van Suddenly Unreliable?
If you’re dealing with a 1997 Chevrolet Express 1500, or one of its many GM siblings, that’s developed a mind of its own, you’re not alone. I’ve been turning wrenches on these vehicles for over two decades, and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is often the culprit behind some of the most frustrating and hard-to-diagnose issues. It’s the brain of your vehicle, controlling everything from fuel injection and ignition timing to transmission shift points. When it starts to fail, things get weird, fast.
From the Shop Floor: A Real-World Scenario
“A customer’s 1997 Savana van came in last week with these exact symptoms. It would crank but not start intermittently. He had already replaced the fuel pump and ignition coil with no luck. After connecting my scanner, I saw erratic data from multiple sensors and communication loss codes. We swapped in a known-good PCM, and it fired up instantly. The original module’s internal processors had failed from years of heat cycles under the hoodโa classic failure I’ve diagnosed hundreds of times on this specific GM platform.”
Symptoms of a Failing 1997 GM PCM
A failing PCM doesn’t always throw a specific “bad PCM” code. Instead, it often manifests as a collection of confusing problems. If your vehicle is experiencing any of the following, the PCM is a primary suspect:
- โ No-start or hard-starting conditions, especially when warm.
- โ The engine cranks but won’t fire up.
- โ A persistent Check Engine Light, even after replacing sensors.
- โ Multiple, unrelated diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are present.
- โ Harsh or erratic automatic transmission shifting.
- โ Poor fuel economy and a noticeable loss of power.
- โ The anti-theft or security light stays on, preventing the engine from starting.
The Direct, Programmed Solution
This isn’t just a part; it’s a complete solution. This Powertrain Control Module is a direct-fit replacement for your original unit. The most critical part of the service is that we program it specifically to your vehicle’s VIN before it ships. This process loads the latest GM software and calibrations for your exact make, model, and engine configuration. This means no expensive trip to the dealership for programmingโit’s ready for installation right out of the box.
Simply provide us with your vehicle’s 17-digit VIN during checkout, and our technicians will handle the rest. This ensures seamless communication with your vehicle’s other systems, restoring factory performance and reliability.
Guaranteed Compatibility
This module is the correct replacement for units with part numbers 16229684 or 8162296840. It is designed to fit a wide range of 1997 GM vehicles. Please verify your part number and check the list below to ensure a perfect match.
This part will fit these makes and models with these options
- โ ASTRO 97 Electronic Control Module; (LH front by battery)
- โ BLAZER S10/JIMMY S15 97 Electronic Control Module; (6-262, 4.3L)
- โ BRAVADA 97 Electronic Control Module; (6-262, 4.3L)
- โ CHEVROLET 1500 PICKUP 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ CHEVROLET 2500 PICKUP 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ CHEVROLET 3500 PICKUP 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ EXPRESS 1500 VAN 97 Electronic Control Module
- โ EXPRESS 2500 VAN 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline
- โ EXPRESS 3500 VAN 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline
- โ GMC 1500 PICKUP 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ GMC 2500 PICKUP 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ GMC 3500 PICKUP 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ ISUZU HOMBRE 97 Electronic Control Module; 4.3L (6 cylinder)
- โ S10/S15/SONOMA 97 Electronic Control Module; 6-262 (4.3L)
- โ SAFARI (GMC) 97 Electronic Control Module; (LH front by battery)
- โ SAVANA 1500 VAN 97 Electronic Control Module
- โ SAVANA 2500 VAN 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline
- โ SAVANA 3500 VAN 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline
- โ SUBURBAN 1500 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ SUBURBAN 2500 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ TAHOE 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)
- โ YUKON 97 Electronic Control Module; gasoline (LH front engine compartment)