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Comments
If you failed to notify your dealer prior to your 3yr/36,000 mile warranty running out then you are S.O.L. GM will do nothing for you. By the way GM states in latest Technical Service Bulletin that the "knock" is normal, and I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you too! So why are they handing out extended component warranties if it's normal, are the ones that don't knock abnormal ??? Synthetic oil makes NO difference if you have this condition. This condition is also known as "piston slap" by GM engineers. Hope this info helps those who have it.
I came to the Venture board because I am not happy with our 2000 Windstar and am looking for another van but with the engine knock in the entire GM line I'm not so sure it will be a GM product.
Ray T.
I have an excuse it's called Age Associated Memory Impairment LOL!
Thanks for catching that one.
Ray T.
GM should have a Regional Office and the dealer should have that info. Talk to another dealer, you need another opinion. Time consuming as it may be you cannnot go on with this packaged BS
Kick you know hat.....
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
thanks
If it is loose, it could be banging against the floor of the van when you hit a bump. Just a thought....
There are three fastenings that have to be undone. Two on the cross member running along the front of the engine compartment, and one that holds the side DLR indicators.
Remove all three and pull the side unit forward so it is away from the body.
The main headlamp assembly can be lifted out. You will have to remove the wiring connection, once done turn the plastic locking collar until it is loose and lifts off. The rear of the bulb unit can be seen and gently pull it out. You may hear a slight whoomp as the air releases from the unit.
Insert the new bulb in the lamp unit..it can only go one way, put on the locking ring back on and connect the wiring harness. Re insert tabs on the bottom of the headlamp unit into the openings. Screw back the two top fastners.
Then reseat the side lens assembly back into position. It has two guide tabs and replace the last fastner.
I have tried some different headlamps, and can't say the off the shelf halogen are that great. Like to know which ones you purchased.
I have the same rear thumping noise and I notice that for me it doesn't happen on my 2000 Venture until the fuel gauge is about 1/2 a tank of fuel, whenever I come in for a stop I hear a thump sound and sometimes I hear it when I turn a corner real sharp, i'm not sure if there is a fix for the fuel to slosh around like that. when my fuel tank is full I don't have this thump. I hope this helps somewhat.
It can appear on a variety of situations, especially when braking or accelrating say from traffic signals.
I just find the beams are not very good and scattered expecially to the right side on low beam. The only thing I have not seriously done is to adjust the height of the lamp to get more distance on the beam. If nobody flashes you on high beam are they too low ?
I had one installed under warranty, but they damaged the sealing ring which caused an EVAP warning on the Check Engine Soon and required a new seal. Be warned
Let me know how you make out.
Thank you to those who made suggestions
Denis
Looks like they have exhausted their diagnostic options, and are now working with Tech Support in Detroit to resolve. They know it's an electrical problem, but can't find the exact cause.
They gave me a 2000 Venture with 58K miles. It seems to operate at much lower temp than my 2001, barely reaching 1/4 on temp scale.
I also did notice the thumping as mentioned in earlier postings. This can be heard when moving from complete stop (traffic light), but a little sudden acceleration is needed. Doesn't sound like gas in tank (almost full tank), but hard to say where it is.
Probably will have car for a week or so as dealer said this is a very diffcult job. Seems like the perfect test vehicle!
Problem - with one more payment to go, someone ran a red light and smashed into me. Not sure it's repairable. So, I like the van, but don't want to go through all those problems again. Did I just get a lemon the first time, and if I buy another it'll be great, or have other people had problems like this? I would feel like a fool if I bought another Venture and ended up with all these problems over again!
Thanks for any insight/advice.
Next, how many miles are on the vehicle? If all these problems happened in the first 25k miles, I'd be more worried than if you had like 100k miles!!!
I have a 2000 Pontiac Montana with about 24k miles. So far, it has been to the shop for two power sliding door recalls, and once for a problem with a voltage fluctuation that was repaired with some type of connector.
Other than that, no problems and we're very happy with the van. It sounds as though you may have had a bit of a lemon. I've seen the reliability statistics for the GM triplets, and they're not great, but so far (knock on wood), everything seems good. Who knows what will happen in the next 25k miles, though!!
As far as advice, take a look at what's available today and see if the Venture is still what you want. If so, I can't see any reason not to buy another.
I would remove all seating in the van as well as the jack accessories and anything else that can be removed, this will allow to hear better as to the location..or it might have gone away.
Re: safety - I got hit pretty much straight on, right at front passenger side door. Guy was going 35-40 mph, ran redlight. Window shattered, but I didn't have one cut or anything broken. Spent a few hours in ER, have follow-up visit this week. Still feel kind of bruised/sore but am assuming it'll go away with time. I was VERY glad to be in that big van! If I'd been in a small-midsize car I think the other guy, also in a van, wouldn't gone right over me.
Got my Extended Component Warranty for the engine knock in mail yesterday from GM, 5year/100,000 mile for engine only. Guess I won't be keeping this truck for 10 years after all. Where as I don't own a Venture I do own a defective GM product with the 5.3L engine. The "Knock" occurs during cold starts and lasts about 45 seconds.
Ray T.
The area manager got involved, to review all the records on my van.
Finally took almost 2 months, but I got it. Of course while they were investigating I periodically called GM HQ back to report new problems (coolant leak due to bad intake manifold gasket; problem w/ CD player; etc).
They sent me something to keep in the van, but also said that any GM dealership I went to would be able to see the extended warranty by looking up the VIN.
Of course now that my van is totalled, the only good the extended warranty will do me is to hopefully increase the amount the insurance co will pay me.
By the way, other than calling a lawyer, does anyone have any advice for dealing with the insurance co, to maximize the payout/minimize my financial loss? Thanks.
Ray T.
One question I have is how can I look at dealer inventories that are outside my area? I would think there'd be a way to see what was available in this region, but can't figure it out.
Another question - if I "order" the van I want, how long would that take to come in? Seems like dealers must be getting new vehicles in weekly and could simply put in a request for what I want and it wouldn't take that long. But one dealer told me it could be 6-8 weeks.
Also, the current incentives ($2,002 cash back and 0% financing for 36 mos) expire the end of March. Is there a way to find out if these will be extended any?
I may be stubborn, but this is a major purchase for me, and I plan to drive the van until it dies (I still own '86 Toyota that my son has at college). So I want to buy the van that I want and not settle for something I'll pay a lot of money for and live with a long time and not be happy with. I don't think that what I'm looking for is unusual. I can't understand why I can't find it and why the dealers won't help me. Any clues?
What you should have done PRIOR to changing lamps was face vehicle at a garage door or wall, make note of where the beam pattern is hitting then change the lamps to higher wattage, most headlight assemblies do not change their aim unless you change the adjustment, simply changing bulbs does not. If the wattage of the new bulbs is same as old you have literally changed nothing but the bulbs and gained nothing. GE High Outputs are more then likely the same wattage as OEM bulb but a whiter light. Most domestic vehicle low beams are 55 watt, high beams are 65 watt. I changed out my high beams to PIAA Super Whites 110 Watt, they are illegal but at least I have control as to when I use them, I would not mess with the low beams since this can get you in trouble, you do no good to the oncoming traffic you are blinding and you cant turn them down as w/high beams.
Ray T.
Also, is that something that the dealer could add on to the van or does it have to be factory installed?
Any feedback on the leather/cloth seats? Again, my first choice would be NOT to get them, but to get other things I want in a van, I may have to take them. I transport boys, to lots of sports, so there is a fair amount of dirt/mess that comes into the van. I've never had a vehicle w/ leather seats before so I'm interested in hearing about their durability, how to keep them clean, etc.
Thanks a lot for any feedback.
I do recommend getting the fold flat rear seat, it has been very useful to me many times.
BTW my van is an 01 Silver, LS ext, does not have the cass, just CD player, and no touring susp.
As far as cloth vs. leather, I think that is personal preference, mine are cloth and that is what I prefer.
Well- I'm a 2000 chevy venture owner, and have had so many problems with the van, I don't even know where to begin. My most recent problem is that my plastic shield in front of my steering wheel has started to just crack for no reason. I noticed the cracks after a very cold night. I took my van to the dealer and they said, "we hit it"....not true at all! They will not replace the shield. It has now started to crack in three other places. I'm taking this problem to the Better Business Bureau.... I'm very disappointed in GM! I was wondering if anyone else has had this same problem....I would love to hear from you.
Thank you
Question - Is there a good place (cheaper than the dealer) to get what I want? Is there someone who has a good reputation for doing quality work that might might give me credit for what they take out of the van and put in what I want for less? OR would I be better off maybe paying a little more money to have the dealer do it and then it would be covered under warranty?
Thanks for any advice.
By the way, dealer said rebate on Ventures just went up today to $3,500!
Where do these window stickers come from - does each dealer make their own or do they come on the vehicle from the factory? My initial reaction is to make me skeptical of this dealer...
Any thoughts or info on this?