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Comments
I bought the van new and it has been very good. One thing that may benefit others is that the A/C was not blowing much air recently. If you switched it to max it was very slow. I tried everything to fix it and all to no avail. That is until I replaced the cabin filters in the glove compartment for the first time. By the way, this was just this past summer. Hope this helps someone.
The last two summers, it has developed a noise from the airconditioner. It started off last year as a loud moaning noise that lasted 10-20 seconds after you shut the A/C or engine off. It only happened during hot, humid days. I reported it to them when the vehicle was under warranty, but I couldn't show them the problem. (It was erratic then).
This summer, the noise has gotten worse, both volume-wise and by the length. Now it lasts over 20 seconds. It's also more consistent on hot days.
I took it back to the dealership. (Golden Mile, Toronto). As luck would have it, I couldn't show it to them. The mechanic didn't seem surprised to hear the description. He thinks it 's normal, something due to the releasing of pressure.
Has anyone seen anything similar? Advice?
Thanks,
Sandy.
- sandy.
I had the same problem, what's a VCR?
We ended up taking it to a local car audio shop that could supply a mobile DVD player without the screen. I did it 3 years ago and it cost about $300 including install, I imagine it would be a lot cheaper now?
Yes the intake manifold gaskets are suspect in these vehicles, but if you don't have a problem right now, I wouldn't worry about it - its just something to keep your eye on.
As for the trans - have you ever had the fluid/filter changed? If not, you're over due. Get it changed or change it yourself (its pretty straight forward) and see what happens. New fluid can make a world of difference in a trans. Although these transmissions have historically had an issue with the pressure control solenoid (about $ 800 repair) they're pretty solid otherwise.
I like our Venture - keep up with the maintenance and drive it as long as you can as they haven't kept their value well and really aren't worth trading in. Even of you have to spend every now and then on repairs its still better than a car payment!
Best,
John
So transmission fluid/filter change can set you back at most $200 if it done by the shop. But it may extend the life of the vehicle.
jt
30kms wheel bearing failed.....40kms cd player failed and I had to wait two months for a replacement under warranty.....50kms rubber ruined around the driver's door.......50kms cup holder fell apart.......filter door in dash broke the day I bought it and GM couldn't fix it and never did repair it.....metal in driver's seat structure pushing out through the seat cloth and destroying the fabric....3rd inspection with 80kms on vehicle had to install front rotors and tie rod end....lights are gone in the driver's side power window buttons....has had water in one signal light for long time....glove compartment door falls open all the time.....slip in transmission when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear.....power steering tends to jam up in tight turning areas with six grown adults in van ......gas smell on overcast days..... molding of plastic on doors interior where the inside meets the window doesn't fit tight either side and you can see right down into the door guts...I have had this vehicle serviced at the dealer regularly since day one and I baby all my vehicles....This vehicle has 85000 kms on it which is equal to 50000 miles and look at the summary, not very impressive!
This is a mass produced piece of junk! I wish my lease was up so I could get rid of the thing before it totally falls apart...
After I did all the researches, I found the problem was caused by IACV (Idle air control valve). Venture has a poor design that the air filter cover is designed to open to a very congested area. So every air filter change, it is very difficult to fully close the air filter cover. If that cover is not tightly covered, the dirty air get into the Throttle as well as the idle bypass passage. Over the period of time, the IACV gets very dirty and block the air into the engine at idle. Thus the engine stalls.
The solution is to clean the IACV as well as the throttle body. There is a throttle body cleaner (spray) you can buy in the auto parts supply store. The procedure to apply:
1) Take off the big pipe between the air filter and throttle. (about 3" in diameter)
2) Connect all the sensors. Sensor will set P-code if you disconnect them.
3) IACV hole is located before the throttle in the throttle body. On the upper side.
4) Spray cleaner in the IACV pipe.
5) Wait for couple seconds. Start engine.
6) Keep the engine run at low speed if you can.
7) Spray small amount in to the throttle body, make sure the engine won't stall.
8) Repeat couple times.
9) Now the throttle body cleaned. Your car should be back to normal again.
If you have the necessary tools, you can also take the IACV out and wipe it clean. I tried and found there are too many wires and pipes on top of the IACV. So I gave up.
Hope this message helps.
thanks
Even with 4 kids my interior is like new and it is still the most comfortable car I ever owned. The only breakdown I ever had was a fuel filter that split and dumped a couple gallons down a remote stretch of I-57.
Minivans lose value becasue they have a bad image in our incredibly shallow society. It really has nothing to do with the mechanical capability, they just don't sell off used car lots. GM and Ford are cancelling their minivan lines soon and putting their efforts into crossovers, which are just compact minivans/oversized station wagons.
Stick with it - I know I don't want another car payment.
Ted
It is on the drivers side of the radiator on the bottom, but you have to turn the valve on the rear bottom over the drain hole counterclockwise while pulling out.
Ted
Tough luck, I am sorry to hear you had to learn that one the hard way.
The kids get a kick out of the way it growls when I punch it!
Ted
I like our Venture too (2000)...we didn't pay a lot for it and its held up pretty well...
I'm really not trying to be a smartass, I really mean it (I'm a middle school teacher).
If you still want to fix it, I would pull it and trace it all to its sources. It is possible to get moisture between the roof liner and the roof. It could also be as simple as a blown fuse or an overheated connection someplace. My stereo always runs hot by design, but it has never failed (the buttons are worn down to the white).It isn't hard to pull the stereo either, but make sure you disable the anti-theft first. A Haynes or Chilton's repair manual would probably be $12 well spent.
Ted
If I buy a new one, it will probably be one of the newer washable types without the oil.
Thanks,
Kevin
I have a 2001 Venture that I am having brake light issues with. I have checked all the fuses and bulbs however the brake lights are not working. The slim light on the back door works fine however the rest won't. ANY SUGGESTIONS??
make sure sockets are in good shape and bulbs are inserted correctly (sounds stupid but you can put them in wrong very easily - flip them and reinsert, see if it cures the issue...
Broken wire somewhere is next guess I think 1 broken wire can kill both bulbs on the Venture...
Man thanks alot for the information. I checked that bulbs in the reverse light position and they worked fine and they were install the same way I took them out. You stated maybe an broken wire, what is involved in fixing that and where should I start or should I have a technician do this?