Is Your 1997 GM Truck or Van Running Rough?
If you’re dealing with a no-start condition, erratic engine behavior, or a check engine light that just won’t go away on your 1997 GM vehicle, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is a very likely culprit. In my 20+ years turning wrenches, I’ve seen hundreds of these specific ‘black box’ PCMs fail. The symptoms can be frustratingly intermittent at firstโmaybe it stalls at a stoplight one day and runs fine the next. Eventually, these issues become permanent, leaving you stranded.
Common Symptoms of a Failing 1997 GM PCM
A failing PCM can manifest in many ways, often mimicking other part failures. This is because the PCM is the brain of your engine, controlling everything from fuel injection and spark timing to transmission shifting. When it starts to go, you might experience:
- โ No communication with your scan tool
- โ Harsh or failed transmission shifts
- โ Engine cranks but will not start
- โ Poor fuel economy and loss of power
- โ Random and multiple unrelated diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
- โ Injectors not firing or staying open, flooding the engine
Expert Pro Tip: Check Your Grounds First!
Before you condemn the PCM on these 90s GM trucks, do yourself a favor and check the main engine-to-chassis and battery-to-chassis ground straps. I’ve seen countless jobs where a corroded or loose ground cable caused erratic voltage, making a perfectly good PCM act faulty. A few minutes with a wire brush can save you hundreds of dollars. On models like the Astro and Safari, pay close attention to the ground point near the battery tray, as it’s notorious for corrosion.
The Direct Solution: A VIN-Programmed PCM
This isn’t just a replacement part; it’s a complete solution. We take a thoroughly tested, reliable PCM and flash it with the latest official GM software calibration for your specific vehicle. All we need is your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) after you place your order. This process is critical because the VIN tells the PCM everything it needs to know about your truck’s original configurationโengine size, transmission type, emissions equipment, and axle ratio.
By pre-programming the module, we eliminate the need for an expensive trip to the dealership for programming. It arrives at your door ready for installation, making this a true plug-and-play repair for the savvy DIYer or independent shop.
Guaranteed Compatibility
This Electronic Control Module is a direct replacement for the following original equipment part numbers:
- โ 16229684
- โ 8162296840
It is confirmed to fit the following 1997 gasoline-engine vehicles. Please verify your model and options below.
Vehicle Fitment List
- โ Astro Van: (LH front by battery)
- โ Blazer S10/Jimmy S15: (6-262, 4.3L)
- โ Bravada: (6-262, 4.3L)
- โ Chevrolet 1500/2500/3500 Pickup: (gasoline, LH front engine compartment)
- โ Express 1500/2500/3500 Van: (gasoline)
- โ GMC 1500/2500/3500 Pickup: (gasoline, LH front engine compartment)
- โ Isuzu Hombre: 4.3L (6 cylinder)
- โ S10/S15/Sonoma Pickup: 6-262 (4.3L)
- โ Safari (GMC): (LH front by battery)
- โ Savana 1500/2500/3500 Van: (gasoline)
- โ Suburban 1500/2500: (gasoline, LH front engine compartment)
- โ Tahoe/Yukon: (gasoline, LH front engine compartment)