14 problems related to ignition switch have been reported for the 1998 GMC Jimmy. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Key gets locked in the ignition and I can't remove it, the dash lights and gauges do not work and transmission doesn't start off in 1st gear. This has happened 4 other times and everytime I have had to have the ignition switch replaced and this is in a 3 year period. This has got to be the worth problem on these vehicles.
I have a GMC Jimmy and the electrical switch keeps going on it. For two years now this is the thrid one I had to replace. When the switch goes, you no longer have any dash lights and your transmission does not work properly. You only have 2nd, and 3rd gear which causes a hazard because you have very little power when you are at a complete stop and then proceed to go. You better make sure nothing is coming as far as you can see because you start out very very slowly and it takes a while to get going at a faster rate to keep up with traffic. You also do not know on how fast you are traveling for a safe speed. I find this problem to be very dangerous for the driver and others out there on the road and considering it has happened 3 times within 2 years, I believe something should be looked into further on this.
Noted issues with my 98 Jimmy (purchased 12/97)that I have had to repair which I believe were defective parts: 1) 10/00 mileage=57248 replaced faulty ignition switch due to dash board lights not working 2) not repaired to date: wipers have had occasions they did not work. I usually can get them working by turning them on/off a few times. Intermittent mode takes a long time(3-10 seconds) to start running in best scenario. 3) both front reclining seat levers broke off(brittle metal rod)within first 3 years of usage. I have not replaced due to cost of replacing complete seat assemblies is only fix. 4) 12/04 mileage=129,518 throttle choke plate assembly disintegrated partially and jammed throttle open. This almost caused an accident as could not come to a complete stop while car was running. After broken piece worked its way past the valves I needed $1900 in cylinder head repairs.
Ignition switch on my 1998 GMC Jimmy has had to be replaced each year since I purchased it - the dealer repair sheet shows that they replaced it at around 30k miles. I am a single mother with no additional income and no "extra" vehicle I need assistance in this matter.
Consumer complaint of ignition switch failure.
Consumer complaint of ignition switch failure.
Ignition switch failed three times, causing vehicle to automatically shut off. Consumer states that engine soon light illuminates, driver?s window motor failed and window will not go up or down, all dash lights and gauges will stop working, muffler has hole in it and makes loud noise, muffler and pipe exhaust system replaced, and when crank sometimes backfires and shifts hard, servo making bang shift, installed servo and 2 synolids.
Insturment panel not working,engine light on, transmission not shifting, keys stuck in ignition. Parts failing throughout this SUV.
The first time it happened, I started the vehicle and left the parking lot, stopped at a stop sign, proceeded into the roadway and engine died. Everything went off - all power all electrical. I had just purchased the vehicle second hand and the owner told me later that she had battery problems, but she put in a new battery. The dealer could not fix it. My husband figured it was the ignition switch. I kept the car for twelve years and had to change it twice, plus the initial repair was warrantied. When it first occurred in 2000 I looked for a recall, but there was none. I remember the previous owner had a very large keychain, and we did figure out on our own to carry a single key, but after about 5-6 years you still need to change the ignition, you can tell cause the electronics start going wacky in the vehicle. Then it won't start, like you think its the battery. It is sad that people died from this and that GMC cannot admit that this has been going on, I know since 1998. I now know why I got such a good deal on the vehicle, that person could have killed me, by not telling me the truth!.
Truck would not run at full power due to the ignition switch lights would also fail on the dash . Key would also get stuck in the ignition do to a problem with the ignition . The exhaust problem was the baffels were busted inside the muffler . Windshield had a void between the upper frame and the windshield causing it to leak. Belt tensioner broke during a start up . Air conditioner compressor went out during my travel home from work. Ak.
The car while driving at a high speed, lost power, the transmission dropped into low gear, and would only proceed at a slow speed, this happened more than once, the service engine malfunction light came on and stayed on. I was told by the dealer that they could not detect the problem. The problem occured near, for the third time, near coral springs GMC and I took the car into them immediately and they came up with transmissions codes on the computer. I was told to take the car back to king since the other dealer did not have a tranmission mechanic. King was contacted and I was told to bring the car in later , the engine malfunction light went off and it drove normally. The day I brought the car to king it occured again, and this time the symptoms were the same, but the instrument also went dead. King reported to me that the problem was not the transmission but the ignition switch which caused the computer to loose power, creating the transmission to downshift and, the car to loose engine power, and the instruments to fail. At high speed this creates some concern as you can imagine. They indicated it has happen on other vechiles. I contacted general motors since I considered it a safety problem. I feel owners and other dealers should be notified, since apparently it is not easily recognized. Thank you.
1998 GMC Jimmy experienced problems with ignition switch which caused instrument to panel lose power and transmission to lose first and second gear. Vehicle would only run in third and fourth gear. The key also became locked in the ignition. This was all due to the switch going bad.
Cannot remove key from the ignition switch. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic replaced ignition and gear box. Problem has reappeared.
Consumer was unable to remove keys from the ignition. Also, the battery and trip meter light illuminated on the digital instrument cluster. Was able to drive vehicle to dealership. The mechanic had to replace the ignition switch three times.