Help If You Can Please... im in need of it...

[NRS]

I Have a 1997 Gmc Jimmy 4x4 it does have quite a bit of miles on it(130-140 cant remember off the top of my head) but its been acting odd lately, first off there are 2 check engine lights on it one is a charcoal box that needs replaced in the rear by the gas tank, second i believe is a coil pack that is in need of changing on the sixth bank, and now my key is having problems it goes into the ignition but i have to use a tad bit of force to get it in, it will start the car fine and all but when i go to turn it off, right before it goes to off position it gets stuck and never full goes to off position. and i cant go to accessory ether. and i think this may be causing my car to run odd, since that started happening my car has been driving strange im not sure if its the transmission or what but when i start the car i feel a jolt not ultra hard but hard enough to know that it shouldn't be doing that, and when i put it in drive in order to move the car i have to press on the gas more than i should and its around 1800 rpm and it starts to creep up and after like 15 mph it will drive like normal but it seems that it is also not shifting properly, i was going home to my brother birthday party on the high way and it was going around 2600-2900 rpm at 60 mph which i know for a fact it shouldn't its usually around like 1600-1900 normally. im confused on what to do with it. i have looked around the internet and seen some things about solenoids and using wd40 other products to free it up and something about the car being stuck in 2nd or third gear due to voltage problems but im not sure what to do cause i don't know where to start....( i haven't driven it since because i was afraid of hurting it more) but any help or questions you need me to answer just let me know if you can be of any assistance i would appreciate the help...

Thank you

 

[NRS]

oh and the last thing i did was change the oil in it last month, and i did check the transmission fluid level it did seem to be fine it was over the "Hot" mark on the dipstick

 

[Molson02536]

oh and the last thing i did was change the oil in it last month, and i did check the transmission fluid level it did seem to be fine it was over the "Hot" mark on the dipstick

From what you described, it sounds like your ignition switch has gone bad which is causing your transmission to go in to limp mode.

"limp-home mode" is a fault mode in which the transmission either loses electrical power or the PCM deactivates all of the electronics. In your cause i think your PCM is not getting power from a faulty ignition key.

The transmission will default to max line pressure. The transmission will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter).

1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available. Thats why your having a Transmission shifts into gear harshly, and the Jimmy feels sluggish off the line.

It will not hurt the car to drive it like this for short periods, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving, and be aware that the transmission will generate more heat than normal while operating in limp-home mode due to increased torque converter slippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear which can burn out the Transmission of your not easy with it.

Also check the fuse for your transmission, make sure it's good and replace if bad. You can also check with a muilti meter where the fuse goes into for 12V when the key is turned. If there is no power then most likely your ignition switch is bad, but from what you described, the ignition switch is bad and needs to be replaced.

If all the above is good, then the next place to inspect is the wire harness on the passenger side of the transmission to make sure it's good and there is no corrosion that is causing your Limp Mode. Lat would be a bad PCM.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Molson02536

 

[NRS]

Is it hard to change it by hand or should I let a shop handle it? And of so any ideas on price range?

 

[Molson02536]

Is it hard to change it by hand or should I let a shop handle it? And of so any ideas on price range?

Ignition switch is about $90.00 i believe at Auto Zone and they will have the step by step instructions for you to get the job done with common tools.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Molson02536

 

[NRS]

Sounds good I was hoping not to have to have to spend crazy amounts on it I shall see what I can't do

 

[Molson02536]

Sounds good I was hoping not to have to have to spend crazy amounts on it I shall see what I can't do

If your lucky, it may just be the ignition cylinder that has gone bad and i think that's around $20.00 for the part.

Keep us posted

Molson02536

 

[NRS]

Well worst case I'll buy both and I'll start with the cylinder first and if that fixes it I'll just take the other part back

 

[NRS]

It wouldn't be the key ignition solenoid would it?

 

[NRS]

When I pushed on the solenoid under the steering wheel the key went all the way from accessory to start but it still did he same so does that mean that it is the ignition switch

 

[Molson02536]

When I pushed on the solenoid under the steering wheel the key went all the way from accessory to start but it still did he same so does that mean that it is the ignition switch

Most likely it's the switch. Very common issue on the GM's if you have lots of keys on your key chain. All i have on my key chain i the key and the fob remote.

keep us posted

Molson02637

 

[NRS]

Got another question for you the car a while back started to turn off when I slow the car down at a light or anything and it did it again it would rumble for a few seconds than be fine and it would do it randomly now it turns off after a soft or hard atop doesn't matter Lol my cars just full of problems

 

[Molson02536]

Got another question for you the car a while back started to turn off when I slow the car down at a light or anything and it did it again it would rumble for a few seconds than be fine and it would do it randomly now it turns off after a soft or hard atop doesn't matter Lol my cars just full of problems

Could be all related to the ignition switch to having a dirty fuel filter, weak fuel sending unit, or a simple dirty IAC valve at the throttle body.

Let's address one thing at a time and get the Jimmy running first, then we can go from there. But it would not hurt to replace the fuel filter and clean the throttle body when you get the Jimmy started.

Keep us posted.

Molson02536

 

[NRS]

Just put the ignition switch in and everything is working again!!!!! And I'm not sure if it'll fix the other problems I asked about but if you know anything as far as that please let me know you've been a huge help so far!!!