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Just recently i am unable to go into reverse or neutral. The van will still drive and i can shift in all of the gears. When i do shift into reverse and neutral the car does nothing it just sits there and i am unable to move the van (push it). When i turn the van off i can shift into reverse and push the van. Sometimes when i have the van running and i depress the brake i hear a clicking in the steering column. Also i see no fluid leaking around the tranny, however it was about two quarts low. As of now i am thinking that i should do a filter and fluid change, but was looking for some opinions.
I first noticed the 1st to 2nd thunk during a hot spell in August about a year after I bought it. The engine light came on after two of three thunks and this only happened after 45 min to 1 hour of driving. But I'm like you...I never fix something till it breaks especially when it's going to be the same labor job of pulling out the old trannie and rebuilding.
I just want to mention that the despite dire warnings about how the trans is "on it's way out" when I brought it a(t about 80,000 miles) to a shop in in 2005 , it is now 2008 and 33,000 miles later and I still have the same transmission.
It also sometimes clunks when put into reverse and you feel a bit of chugging backing up. Once on the freeway at 60mph the van runs fine and has power in passing gear fine as normal. Fluid looks ok but I know needs a change and filter
Has any one had this problem or have any ideas
Thanks,
Rick
1998 safari 120000 miles on it.
Thanks for any help with this.
did you fix your problem?
can you please please help me?
astro 2000 jerks from 1st to second
fordavidz@gmail.com
At 97,000 miles, I made a 1000 mile trip, to check on my 91 yr. old Mother who was not doing well, in a Nursing home. When I returned, I noticed that I had a whirring noise in the rear of the van. When I took it to the dealer (I always have the dealer do everything to it, and had an extended warranty, as well, which expired) 3 of their mechanics drove it, I went along and was told there was nothing wrong, by 2 of them, The 3rd, who is a transmission specialist, thought he should open the transmission and check it. When he did, he said the transmission fluid was "foaming"?? I have never heard that term before. We agreed to have him replace filters and seals and a "tailhanger" bracket, and $409.00 later, I drove it out of the dealership, and it seemed more "quiet" than it was originally. 2 weeks later, I hear the same noise, and even though I can't really tell if it is shifting any differently, the noise is annoying, and I'm debating whether I should bring it back and have them check anything else on it? Thank you for whatever advise you can provide me. I am a senior citizen, and don't know that much about vehicles, nor can I afford much in repairs, on a fixed income. Could they have missed the actual problem? I'm wondering if new tires could solve the noise problem, since mine are 3 yrs. old and getting low on tread...Michelins. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
problems. I had the radiator repaired, but couldn't afford the EGR valve, so I was told to have the engine cleaned, which I did. After that, it began to blow white smoke, but a friend at work, who also owned a 1995, told me to invest in a tank of High Test gas, to clean the engine of residue from the cleaner that was used. Once I burned a tank of the highest grade fuel, the white smoke disappeard and it ran like a champ! Perhaps your van is only asking for a Steak, instead of the hot dogs we normally put in there, in the form of cheap gas, which doesn't burn the deposits off the plugs and fouls the engines faster. I know, "gas is gas" but a good mechanic told me once, to use 2/1 ration....two tanks of regular to one tank of High grade, if I want it to keep running better. Good luck, I hope that helps.
Same "previous" situation with my 2001 AWD Safari van's transmission. re: Lost "R" gear, lost a few forward gears as well. End in the end, my van's transmission needed a rebuild kit. Kit and labor install was $1,100 - before taxes. Since tranny build (2.5 years ago), my van's shifting is much smoother, its "R" gear feels much better and overall, I'm very pleased with its fix. Yes. Expensive fix but in the end, this fix worked great.
Note: Do call around because shop quotes do varry. I got some back yard mechanic to upgrade my van's transmission. For me, he did a great jog - at $300 less expensive then formal shop estimates.
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I just picked up a 1998 safari without awd.
The tranny is acting up shifting into 2nd gear.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me what tranny it has it, model number or something?
Also if there is any manuals or books out there for this specific transmission?
Thanks for all the help
The "factory" transmisisons in the Astro/Safaris vans are known to blow and need a rebuild. If wondering, the tranny in my previous 2003 AWD Safari with only 74,000 miles blow. Blew while driving normally and pulling away from a stop light. It needed a complete rebuild (using factory torque convertor). After rebuild, my van's tranny was better then factory. It shifted properly, it felt firm shifting across its different grears and it never slipped again. And, it handled the colder weather much better as well. As a suggestion, do "shop around" for tranny rebuild prices in your region. If you do higher then normal use, you may want to install a transmisison HD shift kit instead. And/or a better then factory torque convertor. For my needs, factory torque convertor with normal rebuild was needed. In the end, I'm glad I got my van's tranny rebuilt. Didn't like its $1,000 cost but afterwards, my van's tranny was great.
If wondering, my tranny specialist told me to install a HD transmission cooler in my van as well. A cooler that is rated to pull a 5,000 lbs trailer. Even if only used for "soccer mom" driving conditions (which was 98% of my family's driving conditions), the factory tranny's do NOT like heat. re: Hot day, stuck in stop / slow traffic while also driving up a hill is very bad combination. A tranny Aux Cooler keeps its tranny ATF oil cooler and thus, its transmission lasts much longer. As a suggestion, do install http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/OC-1678.html (or simular company with 5,000 lbs rating) Aux Transmission Cooler as well. This upgrade is "well worth it" - even for normal "soccer mom" driving conditions.
Hope this helps....
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http://base.google.com/base/a/1218296/D15810491540282997788
Note: Labor to drop the transmission, install the kit, re-install the transmission and add new fluids is the costly part. The Rebuild kit (without Torque Convertor upgrade) parts isn't every expensive.
Hope this helps as well.
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problem: tranny is whining, ( sound (pitch) goes up and down with gear shift) the whine seems a bit louder in lower gears (1,2), but never goes away. (maybe in 4th not sure)
The sound is not too loud, almost "acceptable range". In other words, If a little whine with this tranny is o.k. then this one is probably within range. If ANY whine at all is sign of trouble, than trouble is here, cause it's audible, but not overwhelming at all.
The van is 2WD, no tow hitch, trans. fluid is clean,fresh. Van shifts fine, revs SLIGHTLY going into 2nd or 3rd, but doesnt feel like slip.
I really can't afford down time and repairs at this time. Otherwise, even with a replacement this van would be an o.k. buy.
Thank You
If I bought this 2WD van, I'd immediatly install a tranni cooler (rated to tow 5,000 lbs trailer) and add can of Lucus Transmission fix. For more details, surf:
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-TRAN~HH41311.htm
http://lucasoil.hodgsoncorp.com/slipping_transmission.htm
If wondering, my local auto mechanic recommends tranny coolers in all Astro/Safari vans - even if used for "soccer parent" driving conditions.
I'd also replace its Main RAD cooling fluid, its rear axle fluid (with HD 90 gear oil) and ensure its engine oil cooling pipes don't leak either. If leaking, replace with 3rd party pipes - which can be created at many pipe fitting / steel fabrication shops. GM wants way too much dollars for "their" replacement pipes.
If wondering, the factory 460LE transmission in Safari/Astro vans is known to whine. My 2001 AWD Safari's van always had a whine - even after its transmisison was rebuilt. Rebuilt because it lacked a transmission cooler the day it rolled off its factory assembly line - as per my local transmission specialist. With new transmission cooler installed, its tranny fluid ran much cooler. Which equals much longer transmission life.
If this specific van passes your auto certified mechanic's inspections, I'd buy it (assuming its selling price was good as well). I've always had great luck with 2wd Safari/Astro vans. And being 2WD, its wear/tear replacement parts are less expensive as well. AWD replacement parts (like ABS sensors, steering - idler arms, suspension, etc. etc.) seem to cost twice as much.
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I saw a posting somewhere that another pump brand supplies AC Delco and can be bought cheaper but can't find it now. The AC sticker was covering over the (cheaper) manufacturers sticker!
As for the tranny, it seems tight, however at fast take off, there is a small bit of a growl or low rumble, and it seems to be struggling a (tiny) bit perhaps( only maybe here). Not sure if it's the diff or transmission. Mostly it's the sound that catches my attention. A kind of a low rumbly take off, but with plenty of power and all that. There is a very slight rev when going into 3rd under load (foot down).Have the other vehicles out there had similar performance? The engine is very strong and starts.
he replaced tranny fluids n filter n said transmission looks fine.
so here's the problem- starts up fine, no fluid leaks, no fluids burning. after driving distance, 45 min + on freeway without problems, and then coming to a stop (say an off ramp), when I accelerate I get this hard buck or jerk from the rear. if i stop again soon afterwards and accelerate (stop lights), same thing. if i drop it to D2 AT the stop and pull off, then shift up to D3 then D, its fine. or if I pull over, kill the engine, wait a minute or two and get back on the road, it stops.
this is driving me nuts.
mech says there's nothing wrong with my transmission that he can tell, and having him drive it for awhile didn't produce the problem. he probably didn't go far enough or stay at 65-70 mph for any length of time
around town there is no problem. there's no coolant in the oil or vice versa or any other indication fluids are mixed. regular oil changes. all gauges read normal.
I was told it may be a PCV valve, something about a vapor build up or blockage. ideas, insights? thanks in advance!!!!
I got it home replaced the fluid, filter, and substituted a quart for some lucas Transmission fix thinking that something might be sticking. I still have no reverse unless you REALLY force it, now the van will drive in neutral, but slip. I still get normal shift and can run highway speeds in drive and while doing this I tried to engage/disengage the overdrive/tow button on the shifter, but got no noticeable change in RPM.
Thanks to all for you time to read and relpy!
I can't be sure because I haven't seen your radiator.Just an ideal to look at!
If so,which one?
my astro has no reverse and when it up shifts to high gear,it slips until I
let up on the gas petal, then it goes in to high gear, and works great!
Anyone have any advice?
I want to pull the trans and install rebuild kit,including new bands!
2-4 band could be burned out, oil pump could be the problem, this will require the trans to be pulled ! You can try , some sort of sealer, hope it works, install new trans fluid and then install trans sealer !
Astro is a good van I have an 01 and I to will need to do some trans work, but I am keeping my astro, these vans are dependable, mine has 240,000 and still starts everytime !
re: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HDA-678/
If wondering, I installed Hayden 679 in my prev AWD Safari van and installed Hayden 678 in my wife's smaller size GM mini-VAN. re: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/Montana%20Van/AuxTransC- ooler-UpperSupport-2.jpg & http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/Montana%20Van/AuxTransC- ooler-LowerSupport-1.jpg
As a suggestion, install the LPD aux cooler design (re: Tru-cool or Hayden 678 or 679) in your "running hot" GM van. These ATF coolers work great in my GM vans...
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I have a 2002 GMC Safari van. My wife went outside to try to start but it would not start. She tried a little while later and still would not start. I tried a few hours later and she said she pushes down on the gas to start so I thought that was the issue since it is electronic fuel injection.
When I started it up the turn signals would not work and I found that fuses 1 and 16 were both blown. I researched the issue and thought it was the multi-function switch so I bought a new one off of eBay from a reputable guy who had old dealer stock. It looked brand new. I installed after a very difficult process and when I pressed on the brake pedal it blew the fuse again. Putting the turn signals on also blows the other #16 fuse after blinking on and off for 3-4 iterations.
I removed all the dual filament bulbs and the top brake light and pressed on the brake pedal and that also caused the #1 fuse to blow.
I removed the brake signal switch and opened it up gently and made sure the front two contacts would be coming open prior to the last contact touching. Everything looked good in there.
The van does have a connection for trailer lights and brake controller. I reviewed those and they are all clean.
I removed the top brake light and everything looks clean there too. The resistors all look good.
I opened the sliding door just in case something was shorted in in there as well but that had no effect.
Any suggestions on how to test the actual connector sockets into which the bulbs reside?
I really thought it would be the multi-function switch but that was not it. Please ask anyone you know who may be able to help on this one as have a $4,000 boat anchor right now.
THANKS!