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Chevy Vans: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
But I think---- you need to check the harness plug that is under the van located approx. under the drivers seat. My plug was shorting across the terminals. It had fooled my into thinking that 4 fuel pumps had gone bad on my van. The last one I dropped the tank to flush it out myself thinking that the tank was all gunked up, While the tank was on the ground I inspected all the harness back into the van when I found the terminal. After I pigtailed a new (to my van) plug onto the van I powered the van on to see it the old pump ran and sure enough.
Now if you find that the plug has problems you will mostlikely not find it at the dealer or any car parts shop. You will need to go to your nearest wrecking yard to get it.
And yes I would repair it.
All in all I feel that the problems these vans have all cars are bound to have similar problems at some time. It just seems worse on these vans because the average shade tree mechanic cant fix due to the shoe horn engine.
I have had just about all of these problems that you can read about on this forum. And still I really like driving this van and I get really good gas mileage for such a high profile vehicle.
All cars break sooner or later - sure sounds like its an oil pump issue, I can't think of another reason for your issue that you haven't already checked - I've heard of a couple in the 60 degree V6 motors, yours wouldn't be the first...anything can break on any car...
Find a good mechanic that's willing to do what it takes to fix it and get it done...if you can't, maybe you can find one that would put a used or rebuilt motor in it...sure it will be more expensive than the oil pump fix but you'll be good for a long time...just an idea....Good Luck
Had a new High Pressure Power Steering hose installed abouyt 3 months ago. After installation, heard steering nosie in engine compatrtment. Shop said that Power Steering Pump was bad, so I had pump replaced - still hearing stragre noise related to steering. Any ideas what is causing this annoying noise, which is mpost notable when making turns?
1. Fluid level OK?
2. Open the cap on the PS reservoir while its running...foamy??? If so the system needs to be primed/bled...procedure:
-Fill reservoir to correct level
-Start engine and run for 2 or 3 seconds and shut down. Check fluid level again...add if necessary. Repeat procedure till fluid level is constant
-Raise the front of the vehicle until the wheels are off the ground
-start the engine and give it a little gas & hold it there...turn the wheel all the way to the right and them all the way to the left (gently) Check fluid level and add if necessary.
-Lower to the ground...with the engine still running, drive forward just enough to turn the wheel all the way to the right but don't force it against the stop, then drive forward again to get it all the way to the left stop but don't force it.
-recheck the fluid and add if necessary
This should get the air out of the system & get rid of your noise. You may have to do it 2x...if the noise persists or if the fluid is persistently foamy, you might have a leak somewhere letting air in...good luck
Mark
Thank you again.
Mark in Plano, TX
Retired Marine
Let's break this down...
1. Trans fluid in PS pump - hard to say what issues this could cause, depends upon the compatibility of the 2 fluids...they're both theoretically "hydraulic fluid" and I know there were some Fords that used trans fluid in the PS system...I can't imagine that there's a good way to get all of the old fluid out for sure without dismantling the system...I think I would get rid of all I could and refill with the right fluid and cross my fingers...I'm not going to be shocked if just replacing the fluid gets rid of the noise.
2. High pressure hose - I think my biggest concern would be that there is a kink in it that is restricting the flow and possibly causing your noise...but you say that the steering is working fine...I think if it was kinked the steering wheel would be hard to turn...I've never had to replace ours so I can't say for sure if you can install it more than one way...like I said...I think a kink would be the issue here if you had one.
I'm not a mechanic unless there's a shade tree and some beer around but here's what I would do:
Replace the PS fluid with the correct fluid and do the air bleed procedure...
Check the high pressure line from the pump (its the one that comes off of the bottom of the PS pump) for kinks or restrictions.
Then I would see what happens...Honestly, I think the correct fluid will cure the noise...and a little Lucas in there certainly wouldn't hurt either - they make good products.
Let me know how you make out and feel free to post question...good luck
John
Oh ,and the midst of all that my brakes went out so that was another $867.
I'm at the end of my rope. We cannot afford a car payment (car loan was rolled into mortgage) so we keep slapping these repairs on our credit card and I'm now having emotional breakdowns DAILY over this. My husband is not any way a mechanic and just when we trust a real mechanic they slap us with a big estimate for something they THINK might be the problem. No one seems to know exactly what is wrong with this van...the computer is not giving out codes. The only one it gave was the 02 sensor and after the catalytic converter was worked on the mechanic said it might just be giving out a false reading on that BECAUSE of the converter having been clogged.
He has no explanation as to why my gas gauge goes up and down at every turn, either. I keep thinking "THE PROBLEMS" is something in the fuel tank...maybe debris/dirt/junk is clogging up my injectors. The van ran great for 2 months after we got them cleaned last time but I kept using cheap gas so maybe things got stirred up again? Sometimes it sputters, backfires, hesitates and seems like it's going to shut off. Other times it chugs and sputters along and when I hit 45 mph it feels like something got unstuck and it got some gas and runs along. Idling it sounds fine, slowly giving it gas sometimes is okay too but when I have to give it more to get going then that nightmare begins.
I've done research on the manifold gasket and although I know it's a known problem wouldn't the gasket have been completely GONE by now if it was really the problem? How has no other mechanic even mentioned this as being a possible cause? How is this van not giving a code for this problem it's had for a year?
I'm at my wit's end and have no where else to turn!
Aurelia
I have no idea what's wrong with your van but.....
I'm concerned with the fact that there are "no codes" in the computer. Everytime the motor hiccups, misfires or does something else strange, the computer saves the "event"...basically, it takes a snapshot of everything going on at the time it happens so a tech can access the records and figure out what is wrong.
Here's my opinion - I think your EGR valve has a problem...it typically has to be a disaster to set a trouble code and it takes a long time to get that far...do an internet search, ask a friend, somehow find out where the EGR valve is on the Venture...then remove it, clean it and replace it.
2 bolts hold it in...clean it with carburetor cleaner and a toothbrush...there is a pintle in the middle that should move up and down...clean it and make sue it moves freely. I'm not convinced that it was removed and cleaned when the fuel system was serviced as they usually don't do that...
Even if you can't do the work, maybe you have a friend who can? Good luck, post back with any questions...
BTW - As for your gas gauge, the Venture gas gauges typically start to have issues about 80,000 miles...the level sensor in the fuel tank is to blame...its an expensive repair, just keep track of your mileage and get it filled up every 300 miles.
John
In hindsight, I should have done it myself and saved some $ but unfortunately there are only so many hours in a day and most of mine were taken up....
Its not a bad job...just takes a little patience....
I've never taken it apart but here's a parts explosion on the assembly...maybe it will help...
Looks like there's a pin and a retaining screw and that's all that holds it together...
Good Luck
We have replace the cam shaft and crank shaft sensors with no results.
Does anyone else have this problem????
I have purchased a "T" connection from an aftermarket manufacturer to wire my trailer. According to their instructions, I am supposed to connect it to a wiring harness connection that should be located in the left rear of the vehicle, between the body and the plastic panel below the window. I practically dismembered this part of the van but I cannot find it. Could it be that it is hiding behind the AC compressor? I would like to know before I continue to disassembel more panels.
Thank you very much.
Anyone have any suggestions? Could I need a heavy duty flasher fuse? What else could it be?
Does anyone know what might be happening to the temperature probe? Anyone know where the temperature probe is? Is there an easy fix? I'm not going to take it into the shop for something like this as the vehicle has +90k miles on it. I'd like to know if it is something I can easily fix.
Here are the words you were waiting to hear:
The fix couldn't be easier-
The temperature probe is "kaput" Open the hood and look down and to the left in front of the radiator. There's a little black gizmo (about an inch or so long) with numbers stamped into the side of it attached there with wires & a plug attached to it. Disconnect the plug and carefully remove it, chances are you'll break the attachment but don't worry, you can reattach the new one with a zip tie if it breaks.
Take the part to the dealer and get a new one - 2 years ago it was about a $ 10 part, might be a little more now but still cheap. The part # is stamped on the side so you can call around and get the best price. Once you've got the new one,just plug it in & reattach. Thats it and your display will be back to normal.
:shades:
Interestingly enough, I got our part at a Cadillac dealer which is up the street. I called them to see if they had it and they gave me a price on the phone (about $ 9-10.00) My wife went to pick it up and when she gave them the part # they asked her if the guy quoted her a price on the phone..fortunately I told her what to expect...I wonder if they would have charged her more?
Good Luck :shades:
1998 Chev Venture 160,000 km
The other night we had a big snowfall (not sure if that matters) I drove home in this and parked the car out front of my house. No problems.
The next morning I go to start the van, startss running real rough, the check engine light flashes and the oil PRESSURE light comes on. I drive it back to my house (about 200 feet) and the bus idles real bad for about 30 seconds then dies. Oil level is good.
I started the van this morning and drove it around back and into my garage, ran like HELL and lights still on. I know it wasn't the best to drive it but I need it in my garage not on the street.
It sounds like an oil pump but man there was no warning, do pumps just GO or do they usually give a warning?
How can I test the pump?
Is there anything electrical that it can be? I awas thinking something got disconnected or wet or something during the drive in the snow?? Sounds unlikely but one never knows
What about the timing belt? I have never changed that, if it jumped timimg would it cause these symptoms?
Thanks I will run a scan on it tonight and let you know the results.
Shawn
'Pull the eletrical plug apart under the drivers side of the van near the drivers seat and check all the pins in that plug. The main power pin going to the fuel pump might be shorting. Clean it up, adjust for better contact and apply some eletrical grease and reassemble.'
Thanks.
I have a 2003 Chevy Venture (Warner Bros. series).
Any suggestions on what the culprit is?