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Came out Friday morning to hear a clicking sound coming from the van and a bad burning smell. After cautiously peering around the car and under the hood, and seeing nothing obvious (don't know what I was looking for anyway!), I started the van and had a Low Coolant message. Just had the oil changed a week before and they supposedly checked all the fluids. Drove to a nearby filling station where they checked the coolant, said it should be fine, but added water anyway. Still have message and still smell burning smell. On the way to the dealership, I notice that my turn signals are not functioning at all -- no lights or clicking sound. Also, when putting car in park, doors will not automatically unlock -- I have to do it manually.
At dealership, they say sounds (and smells) like something burned up under the dash and warned me that I may be looking at $300-400 just in labor to diagnose the problem. What can I do? They did say that since it is so recently out of warranty, they would do best to have Chevy cover all or part of it, assuming that they don't find that a wire or something was pinched in a previous accident. The dealership where I purchased the van (a different one) told me there were no previous accidents.
After talking to them Saturday afternoon, they said there was a lot of damage under the dash from things burning up but they were still looking into the cause of the problem.
My questions to you: Anyone ever have or hear of this? Is this common? Where can I check about recalls or this type of problem? What's the liklihood of Chevy helping out with this?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Lauren
Easton, MD
1) At engine idle (at rest or in motion), I hear a high pitched whistling sound that corresponds to a variation in interior/exterior light intensity (flickering sort of). When I take off, or resume speed, the noise & flickering go away. I contacted dealer about this problem and mentioned Service Bulletin #110501.
2) With all doors & hatch locked, I am able to open the passenger side power sliding door from the outside (haven't tried inside). Although the security system comes on (lights blink & horn sounds), I am still able to open a supposedly locked door. I contacted dealer about this problem and mentioned Service Bulletin #99048.
Has anyone seen these problems? I will re-post when I get the van back from the dealer on Thursday.
Thanks,
Lee
Covington, KY
Sounds like your dealer is trying to help out. I've had Chevy's for a number of years (now own a Chevy Camaro and Olds Silo). Electrical problems do not seem to be extraordinarily high for GM vehicles. To check for past recalls and Technical Service Bulletins for your Venture, go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. On the left hand side there is a menu with "RECALL" listed as an option. From there you can search various bulletins and such based on MY, Make and Model of vehicle.
Good luck.
Specifically, the compressor started missing and burning, so they replaced it. The leads to the fuel pump corroded for no apparent reason(we live in the desert) and they replaced those. And, finally the CD player decided to quit. They replaced it.
I think the Venture is a value. I disagree with the folks that say having a tv in the van takes away from the "togetherness" of a family trip. The trips are quieter and less stressfull for everyone. AND, absent a plexiglass divider, I can still smell the togetherness from time to time.
I hear that Chevy is considering a plexiglass noise divider between the first row and the back rows for 2002. Lets hope they follow through. Maybe a slot big enough for Happy Meals is all you need. The divider is coming under their safety program, as all of you parents with 'sippy cup' aged children can attest; getting nailed in the back of the head with an empty sippy cup is a driver distraction.
One question....On the 2002 is it DVD only or DVD and VCP?
Steve
Mike
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
You can get these for the GM vans in black, gray or tan. MacNeil Automotive are the company at
1800 441 6287.
The whole lot, front, two for middle, two for third and cargo area liner run about $280.00
When you get them, the front passenger and third row have to be trimmed to fit properly. This is not hard but you need a strong pair of scissors.
Rgds
We brought it in, and after a day were told that it was an intake gasket leak. After another day, the gasket was replaced but a lifter wouldn't work. After the third day, they said it was fixed, but the engine made a ticking noise that it had never before. I refused to drive the van. The dealer is infuriating, as they keep saying the van will be ready and it isn't. I've made 3 wasted trips in (they gave a cavalier) to pick it up. Now it has more problems than when I brought it in. I'm frustrated and dissatisfied with Chevy and the dealer. I'm worried that some further damage was done that may not appear for awhile. I hoped to keep this van for years, but now I don't know what to do. Any suggestions? Shoudl the dealer do anything for me?
Thanks
Later that day found that initial shift from 1st to 2nd was clunky and subsquently heard a bearing type noise. On arrival at hotel checked transmission fluid and it was the right color, but air bubbles on the dip stick.
Next morning everything appeared OK and today for the run home. I am planning to get it checked as still under warranty and see what maybe wrong.
Seriously considering fitting a transmission cooler, as have to think that fluid overheated, but want to avoid any costly damage.
Anybody else experienced this sort of condition.
I had intermittent starting problems. They were just as you describe except I don't remember a sputtering... I also experienced very hard starts. It always starts harder when it is cold, but before they were unusually hard. Dealer told me some s*** too. I got fed up, knowing it was not normal, and called GM and complained. The car is still under warranty so they called the dealer to arrange to have it fixed. Then when I took it in the dealer found the problem. The number for GM is on the Chevy site under customer service contact information. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don't give up. I still have other problems with this van I am trying to get taken care of.
I will have the old taken out and replaced as well as having a transmission cooler fitted ($120 incl labor and parts), eventhough I will not be towing anything. This is a small investment to ensure the transmission stays healthy.
For me this is a good investment against possible major transmission damage if it had not been done.
Mileage was 32710.
However, the fuel gage has taken on a life of its own and once under half the needle waves around, so that will be fixed by the dealer under warranty.
As you can see getting close to the 36K, if it is going to go, now is the time.
JC
Transmission cooler seems working OK and changes are really smooth as before
Still like this van eventhough Consumer Reports knock them. Again, just look at the other vans listed on this site and problems.
Barry
Yeah, those bolts...I hoped to be able to swap them for some about 1/2" taller in front.
Don't understand why dealerships are already taking the buyout when Olds will be still be building through the 2004 model year. Was at my Olds dealer yesterday and they are staying put right through to the end. Glad to hear that as they have an outstanding service department. Luckily, the same guy that owns the Olds dealership in Memphis also owns the Chevrolet dealership, so service will not be an issue.
Barry
I would like to see the dealers that have AWD models in stock.
1. The radiator overflow tank can be removed from the bar. It is just spring clips. The tab from the overflow is secured by a plastic plug. I replaced mine with a self tapping screw.
Undo the two bolts holding the bar at the front and loosen the one at the back. You can the move this out the way. You have to leave the coil like device attached. (This is not show in the hand book picture).
2. Undo the clamp of this assembly on the left under the transmission dip stick.
3. Pull the rubber hose off and bring it forward
so it releases the tension.
4. Unclip the filter housing and insert new one.
5. Make sure the tabs at the bottom insert into the slots and resecure clips.
6. Re attach large hose and tighten clamp
7. Re secure bar and clip back radiator overflow.
There are two other clamps on the assembly, but do not see need to undo or remove.
Always interested to hear any other ideas.
http://www.alldata.com/diy/handshake.html
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96026.htm
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
1.)The rear tailgate strap handle has broken 3 times, svc mgr says yes its a cheap part and we are not alone in having that replaced, we just do not use it now.
2.) Plastic piece on interior ceiling by driver side sliding door fell down 2 months after we bought it... cheap design, dealership rigged with black gooey puddy.
3.) 5 times (twice towed) for not starting... no one seems to be able to figure out why... (fuel pump replaced twice, wires, module..one service guy told my wife.. GM is making these vehicles so complicated that pretty soon we won't be able to fix 'em (after that comment we will never go back there).
4.)Passenger window would not come down steadily, took back to dealership, fixed.
5.) Water from the air conditioner was dripping on the exhaust system, clip for hose either fell off or was never installed at factory....
THis past week the Oil level low has come on upon starting, goes out in about 2 minutes, oil was changed less than 1,000 miles ago, checked and its full.
From time to time it struggles to start...once a week or so, dealership could not duplicate problem..
Passenger sliding door now sqeaks going above 55 mph...
......it is a nice van aside from the above but I am absolutely disgusted with the thing. We traded in a '94 Voyager thats only problem was it was leaking oil and my wife like the Venture better than the Caravan... I really hope GM can do better than this, if not they are in a world of hurt.
Has anyone had this many different quirky problems?