The Canyon is GMC’s mid-size pickup truck. The 2004-2012 Canyon, like its twin Chevrolet Colorado, is an efficient and reliable compact pickup truck. But every vehicle has its own unique problems. Fortunately, the mechanics at 1A Auto have compiled the top issues they’ve faced with the first-generation GMC Canyon.
- Broken distribution chain
- Blower motor resistance
- Check engine light
A broken timing chain can cause serious engine damage in a GMC Canyon
An engine’s timing chain has an important job: connecting the bottom end of the engine with the internal components at the top of the engine. The timing chain allows each valve in the engine to open and close at the exact moment of each revolution. All timing chains and timing belts wear out eventually. But the first-generation GMC Canyon’s timing chains are notorious for wearing prematurely, according to 1A Auto.
You don’t have to worry about whether you have a broken timing chain – if you do, your truck simply won’t start. But if your timing chain breaks while you’re driving, your engine’s pistons can crash into their valves as they try to close at the wrong time. Since the timing chain is inside the engine, keeping up with oil changes can help it last longer.
A failed resistor can prevent your GMC Canyon HVAC blower motor from starting
The GMC Canyon has a fan that blows air through the heating or air conditioning system and into the cabin. When you adjust the speed of your HVAC fan, you are actually adjusting a resistor that controls the amount of electricity that flows through that fan motor. In the 2004-2012 GMC Canyon, this resistance tends to run out.
The good news is that the GMC Canyon’s blower motor resistor is easy to reach, located right under the truck’s glove box. But the bad news is that it often shuts down when the fan motor malfunctions and consumes too much electricity. So you’ll want to test the fan motor before changing the resistor. Otherwise, you may lose your replacement resistance as well.
Vacuum leaks, dirty throttle bodies, and stuck EVAP vents can cause check engine lights to come on.
A check engine light is a common sight on the dashboard of first generation GMC Canyons. That’s because three of the most common 2004-2012 GMC Canyon problems cause check engine lights. Fortunately, the most common causes of check engine lights on these trucks are relatively easy to address and not particularly dangerous to your engine. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take this warning light seriously. Also, you should address a check engine light as soon as possible because even if it’s something harmless, like a stuck EVAP valve, it could mask a much worse problem later on.
You can start by checking the trouble code your truck’s OBD system is recording, either with your own reader or at your local auto parts store. Here are the three most common codes for older GMC Canyons:
- P0300 and P0171 can be caused by a leaking PCV hose
- P0506 is caused by a dirty throttle body
- P0450 means a leaking EVAP system, usually due to a stuck valve
Below, learn more about all the common GMC Canyon problems that cause check engine lights, or watch 1A Auto’s GMC Canyon problem overview in the video below:
