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I'm on my 4th one - '85 Astro, '91 Astro, '96 safari, '01 Safari.
I can't say enough good about them.
I obviously haven't had the chance to read all the forums yet.
I am surprised that some folks have had so many problems with them.
I haven't had much trouble with any of them I've had.
My current one is an '01 Safari SLT AWD with 70,000 miles on it and still going strong.
The only problems I've ever had with it were the emergency flasher switch at about 62,000 miles and now the driver's side window motor is acting up, so I'll replace that.
Other than that, no problems.
I love them and wish I could buy another new one.
I am waiting on prices for a new part. The part # is VPRD-35F14-Z01 and it is made by Siemens. Any ideas or thoughts? I may take a stab at disassembling the door panel but it will be hard while shut like that. Thanks
Thanks in advance!
Thanks. That actually makes me feel a little bit better. It's been so long I can't remember what it was doing when we quit using it. Good point on the deterioration of the wires, etc. If the MAP sensor were completely dead (no output), how would you expect it to act?
I have put the new motor and transmission, which almost took an act of congress to accomplish, and now I am doing the last simple adjustments to it. I have brought the number one piston TDC, but what about the distributor? Were should the rotor be at when I put the distributor in. Should the metal piece on the rotor be facing the number one spot on the distributor cap?
The last time I tried the number one piston was TDC and when I put the distributor in the gears which meet with the cam gear made the rotor, the metal piece, face cylinder three on the distibutor cap. What am I doing wrong? I know there is a simple solution because I have always seen my Dad do this job very simply.
Hoping someone has a suggestion.
Thanks
It is amazing how much difference a new motor and transmission make. The van runs good and STRONG!!! When I had the smog test done on the van it barely registered. It is nice to have a good running van that is paid for.
If you have any advice on the emergency brake I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Keeshond2
I also tried backing up and pumping the brakes as I go, everyone on my street thinks I am an idiot because I went almost the whole length of the street doing this and no results. So do I break out the covers to get to the adjusters or do I have to take off the wheel and drum and adjust for the inside. I don't think that makes any sense but like I said earlier, I am limited on mechanical skills.
I would appreciate an advice.
Thanks,
Keeshond2
as long as it has to work to keep up the speed all is fine,,,, however when you let off the gas ever so slight and wait , it will coast and the engine slows up. if you want to keep up the same speed when you step on it that is when the engine has to rev. up to catch up with the forward speed of the van. Got to be the adjustment. Any help would be great.. thanks to all .. Jiggs.
I have just installed a transmission in my 91 Astro. It now does not shift as it should.
it does fine until the last shift, then it is just a little bit rough, ( it kinda double shifts) that is it bumps and then gives out with a small bump and then all is well, as it picks up speed and I get up to speed limit and ease off of the throttle it goes to free wheeling, if I let off the gas it coast until I put my foot into it and the the engine races to catch up with the rest of it.. I am thinking that the cable that comes up from the right side and is hooked inside the pan is out of adjustment.. does any one know the trick???? or is it a guessing game of hit and miss???? I had a friend set it when we got it installed and he said that it may need more adjustment or playing with... Help...
I can pull the dog house and play with it but is there a correct way to be right with out making ;a guessing game out of it... thanks for any help. jiggs.
Is there a way to jimmy the door open? Thanks for any help!
Joel / n4urw@earthlink.net
My 2001 Safari 4.3L has piston slap in really cold weather. Especially during its warm up phase. For more details, surf: http://www.pistonslap.com/photos.htm
For me, I get my local auto shop to install Synthetic "5-w30" during colder weather. In the summer hotter months, use normal Synthetic 10w-30 oil. This seems to help reduce engine noise...
Hope this helps...
.
with the doors closed. what can I do?
cheers
Thanks for posting your exerpiences of how to replace brakes on your van. Man, you sure do have patients. And lots of it.
For me, I do a much different approach. The high level steps are: In the morning, I drive my van to my local auto-shop, tell guy to inspect and if needed, replace the brakes. Before end of day, he calls and tells me that my van is ready for pickup. I walk to the local auto shop (which is only 15 minute walk away), pay the bill and drive my van home. Only thing I do NOT like is "paying for the work". But overall, each auto shop in my area always use the higher quality brake pads and best of all, I don't get my hands dirty. If wondering, I used to change my own previous brakes. But, had way too many experiences of slipped wrenches and skinned knuckles. Thus, I now let the full time auto mechanic brake repairs today. Luckily, the 2 auto shops in my area "are trusted", and always give reasonalbe rates.
Thanks for posting your brake replacement experiences. I enjoyed reading your well constructed posts. Like all of your posts on this forum, I enjoyed reading them. Thank you.
.
P.S. I enjoy our van very much and am a little distressed about this. I have to drive my husband's pick-up , so any advice to speed this up would be very wonderful! Thank you for this site!