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I have a 97 Venture with 144K miles on it. I have recently replaced:
serpentine belt
tension pulley
harmonic balancer
water pump
MAF sensor
Throttle positioning sensor
ECM (a year ago)
The serpentine belt kept coming off, finally narrowed that problem down to the harmonic balancer wobbling, which threw out the tension pulley. Also replaced the water pump, in case this was also a problem. After doing that, I found some water leaks, and tore the engine down to the intake manifold, found a few bad hoses and connectors. Then after putting everything back together, the van is now stalling when idling (sometimes) or coming to a stop (sometimes). It doesn't matter if the engine is warm or cold. I've gone back through and checked all the vacuum hoses. Everything looks okay.
The "Check engine light" was on , the codes came up as P0102 and P1441. P0102 was the Mass Air Flow sensor, so I put on one of those. Then reset the codes, drove it around, stalling again, check light comes, check the codes, same as before. Faulty MAF?
Go back to auto parts, get another one. Same routine. Still stalls. My buddy at the auto parts gives me a new MAP sensor to try and see if this is also a propblem. It's not. So I go back home, and fiddle around with all the connections, look at the wiring harness and can't find anything wrong. Some research on the internet and the Chilton's manual suggested a new Throttle Positioning sensor. So this morning I put on one of those.
My wife takes it for a test drive, after letting it idle for about twenty minutes in the drivewayy. Seems to run fine. We stopped and started with no trouble and go back home. Then later this evening, she takes it out and guess what? IT STALLS!!!!!!!
Does anybody have any idea what else is wrong here? What else should I look at, how can I test for other problems? I read something about the brake booster. Anybody know anything about a faulty brake booster causing a stalling problem? I've already thrown several hundred dollars at this and really don't want to waste another 200-300 dollars on somemthing that may not even be the problem.
Thanks in advance and sorry so long!
John
thanks.....i started having the coolant flushed/changed every year...last time had it pressure tested, every thing still good.....
i'll start checking the oil for coolant also.......
it's a shame these cars are not better quality engine/tranny..they have a lot of room, ok gas mileage, and easy to drive...
had the van detailed out the other day for wife....looked brand new, like the day we drove it off from the dealer...
hope we get 6 more years out of it....
Aaron
I want to get as much fixed under warranty as I can. Should I bring it in to the dealer for an inspection or what?? How much help would a dealer be it this situation?
Thanks for any suggestions
me that both the fuel level sensor and fuel pressure sensor reading were wrong. An estimated cost for replacement may exceed 400 bucks. I suspect it's just
a minor problem on connection contaminated by the damn coffee. Whoever know where I can get the wiring diagram of 99' Chevy Venture, so that I can do more detailed check and save that 400 bucks?
this van. Except they could have put some arm rests on the value van.
PLEASE HELP!!
My wife and I have a 2000 Venture and I am in desperate need of the power assist sliding door(actuator) schematics. The two drive cables came off of their respective tracks and got chewed to pieces...I had since removed the cables but now I am just tired of not having the power door.
We have three small children and we could use the help getting in and out of the van. I have finally found someone who will make the new cables as I can't find with without the actuator assemble...$700.00 But without the old cables to guide on length and diameter(before the plastic coating) I'm in a bad way, well frustrated anyway.
Has anyone had any luck finding the cables by themselves? Or does anyone know where I can find the internal schematics of the actuator to view the cables and such?
We bought our van used in 02/03 and we all love it. It's amazing what regular service will do for longevity. Other then the cable issue, our van has been absolutely outstanding! We just took a vacation from Missouri and drove to Utah to see family stationed at Hill AFB. We averaged around 600 miles to the tank and we only had to fill up one additional time after we initially filled up and left Missouri! Our children love watching movies, and mom and I LOVE the headsets! I'll be fabricating a wooded entertainment center(vcr) as our current one is cracked on one side(love working with wood). I'll post the entertainment center when it's done if anyone is interested.
Thanks for any help!
Kevin
Before I installed the new VCR, I tried installing a DVD player. It would not work correctly. Something is different about the wiring from the player to the screen. The DVD player would work, but the screen would scramble every few seconds. I confirmed this with multiple players.
Another option: take your van to an auto trim shop that sells and installs video systems. It won't be as cheap as DIY, but it will be less than a dealer.
after having some of the problems many of you had with my 2000 chevy venture, never any of the gasket problems yet... however, with the transmisson acting funny, and being quoted $1800 by 2 different transmission shops to fix/rebuild, we decided to move on to a new car...
i'll check back ever now then to remind myself why i went into debt...
best of luck to all....former texas venture owner...
Appreciate the help.
jolyne
Haven't had any problem with the gas gauge. Sounds like a screwy float, Does it go to the extreme during acceleration or braking? :confuse:
i'll check back to see if you found out anything, and ill try to call my mechanic and see what he says.
see ya!
jolyne
As for the gas gauge, don't have a clue how much to fix, but I would think they have to lower the tank, (roughly 1.5 hr labour?). Don't know how much the float would cost. Replace the fuel filter while your under the car as well. A good $20 investment.
Make sure while the mechanic is looking at the van good, get him to check the head gasket for any leaks. It looks like it leaking on the outside, but have to check while on the hoist. Notorious on this van/motor. Just replaced mine. Cracked head as well - over $3000 to repair. :lemon:
Good luck, let me know what you found out about your wipers
i also asked him about the wipers, he said it can be one of two things. 1...a bolt came loose or came off and thats why it isn't sitting correctly. 2...the motor, which is seated under the hood (would be WAY more if under the dash...we are crossing our fingers). So, thats the deal. he said he wouldn't know until he looked at it...obviously.
Thats what i have. I'm starting to wonder if this is a good purchase? You like yours, right??????? Pull me back from buyers remorse?
I'll be checkin' for ya...
Jolyne
For your wipers, it is easy to check and see if the bolt is missing, it is easy to see. There is a plastic cap on the bolt, take it off and see if the bolt is there and tight. You can take the bolt off and re-seat the wiper blade. But if there is play, it sounds like it is deeper than the bolt.
If I was to do it again, I would NOT buy this van. With the head gasket going (notorious), and it cracked the head as well, a $3000 bill. Also check for front wheel bearings, the van will wonder on you (bearings went on mine). I've spent $4400 in the past 3 months on it.
It is running ok now, but this is too much to ask out of a car that is 4 years old!
Now with this being said, if you get the van for a great price - then the repairs may be worth it (if it goes). It is a comfortable van, and I like the space and economy of it, and no rust. I just wished it wasn't a lemon.