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seconds while accelerating through 10 mph. This has happened 3 or 4 times over the last week. The fluid level looks fine. I haven't checked the maintenance schedule. Should this fluid be replaced at certain mileage? We did just have the oil changed and fluids checked. I'm starting to wonder if they dropped some dirt into the system or worse put the wrong fluid in it.
If you have had the problem please complain to the NHSTA so Chevy will fix it.
00-00-89-027A JAN 02 Interior - New Odor Elimination Product
01-01-38-011 OCT 01 A/C System - Proper Use to Achieve Maximum Cooling
02-08-56-001 FEB 02 PASS-KEY III - Revised Relearn Procedure
00-08-64-007 JUN 00 Front Door Window - Inoperative/Slow or Noisy
If so would you post here or e-mail to me at barnes_w@email.com? I am having problems with these items.
Thanks!
The service contract company (API) is calling it a "body part" so they don't want to cover it, while I claim it's the internal spring, not the door itself. The door is not broken, the closing mechanism is. They suggest I have it diagnosed and then call them when I know specifically what is wrong and they'll make their final decision then.
Has anybody seen this before? Does anybody know if I can access the spring and fix it myself? Thanks!
My one gripe is that there is no feedback, be it flashing parking lamps or a horn honk, when we use the keyless remote to lock the van. Apparently you have to purchase the Safety & Security Package to get this feature, which we didn't get. Didn't realize this until after the purchase as the remotes were never produced until after the sale, and we never thought to ask about this. We had a keyless remote on the Malibu that this Venture is replacing, and it would provide a feedback honk if you pressed the lock button a second time. I figured this was a standard feature, but apparently not. It's annoying, as I now have to stand close enough to the van to hear the locks engaging so I can walk away assured it's locked up. That kind of defeats the purpose of having the keyless remote, as I may as well have used the power locks on the door if I'm right there.
We've also found a bunch of rubberbands socked away in the weirdest places, like inside the side view mirror housings. I presume they aren't there to serve any function. What's up with that?
As a van owner for 8+ years I can assure you that you don't have to lose any sleep over anyone stealing it.
I can only speculate on the rubber bands; maybe GM's idea of a new fastener!!
"The optional dual-mode audio system with two sets of headphones lets you listen to one audio component in the front seat while rear passengers listen to another. So, you can catch traffic updates while your kids in the back listen to their favorite CD. And if you want to take it a step further, upgrade to tri-mode audio. It's standard on Warner Bros. Edition models."
Sure sounds like headphones should have come as part of the package to me. So am I getting jerked around by our dealership or are they telling me the truth?
I just have the standard stereo/CD player in my Venture LS, and had been toying with the idea of replacing it with an MP3/CD player. Would typical after market players accomodate the dual audio controls or will I have to find a specially equipped one to maintain the rear audio controls?
Same for my Camaro, and the same for my daughter-in-law's Civic. She says it works great, she's happy.
Where to start.. by wwest Aug 08, 2002 (01:55 pm)
Mold, mildew, dirty gym sock odors, windshield fogging.
These have always been a problem ever since air conditioning started being used in cars.
At the heart of any A/C system is the evaporator, cooling heat exchanger. Liquid refrigerant is "injected" into the inside of this heat exchanger and as "warm" airflow is forced over the outside the refrigerant inside "boils" as it absorbs the outside airflow's warmth. The result is the outside airflow can be cooled as low as 33F. The liquid refrigerant "injection" rate is metered in various ways so the the evaporator's cooling surfaces do not decline below freezing.
Cold air cannot sustain, hold, as much moisture (gaseous water, water in the atmosphere as a gas) as warm air, so oftentimes as the A/C system cools the airflow its relative humidity level rises to saturation and that results in the gaseous water condensing out of the airflow and onto the evaporator cooling surfaces as dew.
This is why the evaporator's temperature cannot be allowed to decline below 33F, if it did the condensate would freeze and the evaporator would then be blocked to all airflow. The chamber, plenum, containing the evaporator is provided with a water drain near the bottom so as the moisture accumulates into larger and larger dropplets they can flow freely out the drain.
Note that as long as the A/C operates and the incoming outside airflow's relative humidity is high enough the building of condensate levels on the evaporator surfaces is a continuing, continuous, process.
So when you drive into your garage in the evening and shut the A/C system down there will always remain a thin film of condensate on those surfaces. And that thin film of condensate will remain in place until the A/C plenum temperature rises to a level, and for a long enough period, for the condensate to begin to evaporating.
Note that if there is no substantial airflow route, convection or otherwise, the atmosphere within the plenum will be super-saturated with moisture when you start the car up the next morning.
Bacterial (mold and mildew) growth. These bacteria thrive mightily, multiply at an tremendous rate, in a damp and dark environment that remains at 55 to 70F for relatively long periods, say Tucson or Phoenix at night in the summertime.
Then in the early ninties automotive manufacturers started converting their A/C system from freon to the LESS EFFICIENT r-134a, and the mold and mildew and windshield fogging problem has been like a snowball rolling downhill ever since, gathering speed and mass as it goes.
more...
Since R-134a is less efficient than the freon it replaced, the loss of efficiency had to be overcome somehow.
I'll use my 1992 LS400 as an example. My 1984 T-bird's A/C evaporator had approximatly 2500 square inches of heat exhanging, metal cooling surface area. The 1992 LS400's evaporator had over 10,000 square inches of metal cooling surface area (the LS was not converted to R-134a until later, but Lexus advised me that the A/C system had been designed even with the first LS model with the conversion to R-134a in mind)
At about the same time a passenger airbag was added and then an in-dash CD changer/player. So at about the same time the A/C evaporator had to become more complex to make up for the loss of refrigerant efficiency it was also growing more compact.
On browsing the internet you will find that Ford, if you complain mightily, will "cure" the mold and mildew odor problem by installing a product like, or maybe this actual product"
http://www.airsept.com/eed.html
I understand that many Saturn models come from the factory equipped with an equivalent device.
End
As a fix GM is also installing a similar device. I had it done and it helps, but does not stop the odor completely. The above link has explains a temp fix that is supposed to last 3 years. Involves coating the coils with a chemical spray. GM is not using this fix, however, so if you want it installed you will have to find a shop to do it and pay...oh well. I don't like it, but I've learned to live with it. When I get in I blow it out on high for about 1-2 minutes and the odor disappears until the next day. Good luck!
Occured to me that something like Lysol which kills bacteria maybe more useful.
We mainly run on open vent for the air, and only occasionly use the re circulation system. Does this have any impact on the odor more or less smell. ?
wwest "Mazda Tribute/ Ford Escape problems" Aug 8, 2002 1:55pm
Steve
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The other place I thought of is the cabin filter compartment. I understand that all air comes through these filters and if not changed regularly could cause odor. Next time I change, will see if can spray up there as well.
2003 Chevrolet Venture
Steve
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We will see how it holds up. She got rid of her junky Chevy Astro. Never understood that vehicle. The Chevy Lumina APV was Chevy's 'new' minivan, yet they continued to make the Astro, even when the Lumina APV was replaced by the Venture.
When does the next Venture come out anyway? Platform?
We bought a 2001 Venture plus, with roof rack, rear heat/air, and deluxe sound system in May 2001. We are going on 15,000 miles and the performance has been completely trouble free. We love this vehicle. The design and features are very well thought out. The ride is great and the seats are comfortable.
In my opinion it is much more solidly built and better designed than it's competition (at least the few we looked at). The Chrysler is OK and the Toyota Siena (consumer reports top rated van) is an unimpressive tin can as far as I'm concerned.
Everyone has their own experiences, but we are very happy with our purchase. So far, this van has just been great!
Steve
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As for comparison of minivans, the 00 Venture we have has had no problems till now except for several silly recalls but the 00 Windstar we also have (traded the 95 in when Ford bribed us with $4000 due to the 95 Windstar problems) has had lots of things like bad accelerator pedal, bad transmission gear shift - nothing like thinking you are in N and its actually in D!) plus even more recalls. Plus it burns gas like an Excursion!
Tom
In the age of the internet I'm seeing so many different stories and getting advice from so many sources about what to pay invoice, below invoice, just above invoice, etc.
Can some of you share your shopping experiences with me and give me some insight on what kind of deals you were able to make in buying your Venture?
Thanks so much.
Patsy
And also see the carshopping article: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/43091/article.html
There may still be some 01 Silhouettes out there, as well as Montanas. I shopped 'em all in 2000, didn't have to have a Venture.
Plus you can shop GM inventory at www.gmbuypower.com. I used it to locate just what I wanted in a Camaro this year. You can search by zipcode, it's easy.
tom
However, many will disagree.
A lot of van for the money.
Tomek