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GMC Safari/Chevy Astro

1972 messages,  Last post on Feb 23, 2013 at 8:21 AM

You are in the GMC Safari & Chevy Astro Forum.

What is this discussion about? GMC Safari, Chevrolet Astro, Van



Messages Page 159 of 198

#1580 of 1972 1998 GMC Safari ownership by fortee9er

Feb 25, 2007 (11:21 am)

I bought a 1998 GMC Safari with 49k miles on January 2001 for #12K. It is a 2wd model and it is fully loaded. It now has 109k miles and during this time I've had the following major problems:
1- paint peeled off in sheets from the roof and hood.
2- a/c system had to be replaced twice (leaky compressor).
3- a/c still leaks but a lower rate.
There have other smaller problems like having to replace tires at an alarming rate but this is due to the tires themselves and replacement has been under warranty. The leather on the dirver's seat and the front passenger have cracked and ripped. Looks like cheap quality leather not up to its intended use. I will probably have the two front seats re-upholstered soon. Last year the van was in a small fender bender and I had the body shop repaint the hood and the roof while they were repairing the accident damage.
Overall the van has provided good service and has been reliable but at a price. Had I gone with a Honda or a Toyota my upfront cost would have been at least 50% more.
I am now considering replacing the Safari but I am not sure what is available that would offer as much room, the amenities and better reliability.
Jorge

#1581 of 1972 Re: a/c heater fan switch [fortee9er] by electricdesign

Feb 26, 2007 (7:34 am)

Replying to: fortee9er (Feb 25, 2007 10:54 am)
It is most likely the fan relay, or it could be the fuse is blown in the fan relay circuit, ot it could be the fan switch is bad, or it could be a loose wire or loose connection.
Good Luck,
E.D. ISF

#1582 of 1972 Re: Heater Switching [cob] by houseape

Feb 26, 2007 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: cob (Feb 19, 2007 10:39 am)
At WOT there is less vacuum than at closed or part throttle. I would suspect that the Vacuum Ball (or line to it) is leaking. The vacuum ball is used as a Vacuum reservoir so that the HVAC has enough vacuum to operate properly when the engine is under part or full load such as accelerating or going up a steep hill.

#1583 of 1972 Rear Dutch Door Window by ccb369

Mar 08, 2007 (1:32 am)

On my 1997 Astro only one side of the rear door window will "pop" open. I can not get the window to open, which mean I haven't been able to open the dutch doors either.

#1584 of 1972 Re: Door Handle [coonhound] by becqui

Mar 13, 2007 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: coonhound (Apr 03, 2005 4:53 pm)
Can you or anyone tell me how you fixed the rear cargo door handle and or how to get into the doors?

#1585 of 1972 Re: Door Handle [becqui] by ramzoni

Mar 18, 2007 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: becqui (Mar 13, 2007 3:03 pm)
I have had to fix mine 3 times (the handle kept coming loose from the inner latch assembly) and it seems like we pried loose the panel after removing all of the screws around it and pulling the speaker casing off. I don't remember exactly. The handle assembly itself operates on a rod that connects with these little metal clips. If the clip slips or is not crimped tight, it pops off the bar and then the handle is just floppy and doesn't work. I believe we also had to figure out a way to open the back door first in order to fully access the panel, which presents more of a challenge. I think if you can get the speaker out, then reach inside the door, you can pull on the bar that will make the door open. I know for a while, our door handle would work ONLY if someone was hitting the unlock button repeatedly while the other person pushed in on the metal right above the door handle while pulling on the door handle. You might try that first to see if you can get it to open that way. I witnessed someone at a gas station doing the same thing with their Astro back door too. Ours seems to work okay now that it has been fixed 3 times, except that I still have to push in above the handle (to relieve tension on the latch) while pulling on the handle. Good luck!!

#1586 of 1972 90 ASTRO hesitating about 50mph by ramzoni

Mar 18, 2007 (1:11 pm)

I know it sounds weird. 90 Astro with 169K mi on it, been a wonderful vehicle with very few problems. When it gets to 50+mph, it almost feels like transmission is slipping. Had tranny fluid changed, but mechanic said the old fluid looked good and no metal chards in pan, etc. Tranny feels good otherwise. Wondering about a fuel problem? Have to drop tank to get to fuel pump, so exploring all options first. Could it be the fuel injectors? Clogged fuel filter? Anyone else had a similar problem? Is there a way to bypass the old fuel pump with a modified line so that we don't have to drop the tank?

#1587 of 1972 Help, 97 Astro van - check engine light on by indyjen

Mar 18, 2007 (1:12 pm)

My check engine light came on in the van (131K miles) today - I am trading the van in on saturday, already have an appraisal and I don't want to have to put any money into this thing this week!!!!
 
We did nothing usual today - we did get gas yesterday. I have opened and retightened the gas cap. The van seems to run fine. It is overdue for an oil change.....
 
Any suggestions.....

#1588 of 1972 Re: Help, 97 Astro van - check engine light on [indyjen] by cob

Mar 19, 2007 (9:20 am)

Replying to: indyjen (Mar 18, 2007 1:12 pm)
Depends on how honest you want to be? You can get the light to turn off and erase the codes by either removing the neg battery cable for 5-10 minutes or I believe the fuse in the box by the battery labeled ignition #1 will do the same thing. Rest start the van and see if the light stays off. Otherwise instead of option one, erasing the code, drive to the nearest Autozone and they will hookup a scanner to read the code for free. It may just be a dirty sensor that can easily be cleaned or replaced.

#1589 of 1972 Re: Door Handle [ramzoni] by egillett

Mar 19, 2007 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: ramzoni (Mar 18, 2007 1:01 pm)
The only way to get to it is by removing the inside panel and speaker grill. Make sure once you get it fixed that you lubricate the latching mechanism regularly or you will become very good at removing the back inside panel. Same goes for the hood release latch. Lubricate regularly and look for it to bend slightly from being closed. All will cause it to hang up. Good luck!

Messages Page 159 of 198

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