Ask the Car People.SM


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 22 of 198

#204 of 1972 nutty professor by vjoe_udo

Oct 23, 2001 (2:08 pm)

My parent gave me their 95 Chevy Astro and we have been pretty happy with it. The engine was rebuild in 2000 after a drive across America trip (Oregon -> NY -> FL -> CA.)
 
Now that it's getting colder I am hearing a weird noise from the front. It sounds like the nutty professor's car (power by flubber.)
It's really loud the first 5-10 minutes of the morning drive. But it is much quiter after the engine warmed up. I can't hear it unless I open the hood.
 
Have anyone heard this noise? Any guesses?
 
Thanks.

#205 of 1972 Dutch door on 2001 Safari by creid

Oct 31, 2001 (6:27 am)

I have a troubling question. When I bought our Safari in March we noticed that the interior lights would not come on when we lifted the dutch hatch door. We took it to the dealer & they said they there is no light switch for the hatch. I went with this until lastnight when a co-worker of my part-time job has a fleet of 10 & they all illuminate when the hatch is opened but none are 2001's.
Could this be a design change for 2001 or is the dealer full of it?
Also I have checked the override switch on the dash to ensure that it was not depressed.
Any suggestions is appreciated.

#206 of 1972 Re: Dutch door on 2001 Safari by topsea

Oct 31, 2001 (3:22 pm)

I just checked my 2001 Astro LT and there is NO lights whatsoever activated by opening the rear hatch. Of course they come on when you use the keyless entry switch to open the doors.
 
Hope that helps.

#207 of 1972 Interior Lights by scotsman93535

Nov 01, 2001 (8:31 pm)

I own a 2000 Chevrolet LS Astro van. I have checked the interior lights as the rear doors are opened. The lights turn on when the overhead door is opened.
 
This may be a feature on the LS that is not available on other models. Just how much would it have cost GM to add this switch to all of the vans?

#208 of 1972 re: Interior Lights by creid

Nov 02, 2001 (8:47 am)

This is fantastic feedback. I would have never guessed when I bought my 2001 slt Safari that due to keyless system or something the rear dutch door when opened wouldn't turn on the lights. I understand that when you unlock the vehicle the lights come on but they only stay on for a very short time. It's really a pain when the rear is opened & it's dark outside you are rushing before the lights go out or getting something then the lights go dead due to the rear hatch not having a mercury switch. Poor design technology & thinking.

#209 of 1972 Whatever "trips your trigger" by topsea

Nov 02, 2001 (11:44 pm)

I guess that's what makes the world go round. I don't have a problem with the absence of a light switch in the rear hatch. The light stays on long enough, for me, when I open the hatch with the keyless entry.
 
My 2001 Astro LT has lots of nice goodies but I miss the armrest on the left side of the drivers seat. I drive a lot and my '98 had arm rests on both sides of the seat. I miss that left side arm rest.

#210 of 1972 Arm Rest by creid

Nov 03, 2001 (6:42 pm)

I agreee about the arm rest. We had a 99 & the left arm rest was great especially on long trips. It seems I'm always searching for somewhere to rest my left arm.

#211 of 1972 MPG's by bbunch

Nov 10, 2001 (6:07 pm)

Hi all,
  Had a quick question. We have a 2000 LS (Astro).
We are getting 12-13 mpg.(city/highway, mostly
highway). We have the 4.3L. This
seems low. Expected 18-21. Driving habits are
normal. The van does seem to struggle at speeds
above 60-65 mph. It also needs "encouragement"
meaning pedal to the floor to get up any type of
hill. I think it might be the tranmission or
sensor. We only have 15,000 on it, but am wondering if this has affected anybody elses van.
I dont want to hear from the dealership that the
mpg is normal. I know better.
  Thanks for any advice.

#212 of 1972 I've got 18,500 on my 2001 LT astro by topsea

Nov 11, 2001 (12:40 pm)

I get better milage than what you are describing but I use my cruise control A LOT. I drive I-5 frequently and even in heavy traffic I find that cruise control keeps me from speeding and also helps with smooth traffic flow by not hitting the brakes as much. It also helps get better milage on flat terrain. The new vehicle sticker says the best the AWD Astro will get is 19 mpg but I seldom get that because a lot of my driving is at 65 and sometimes faster depending on what state I'm in. If I keep it down I can get 19 though. As far as power goes, this 2001 has about the same moxi as my 1998. I don't see a lot of difference on hills or the flat. I take the 1998 out on week-ends because it's not full of my work stuff and it drives about the same. Just as I would expect. They both have more power than any of the Chrysler products I've worn out in the past. They are also both AWD but I wouldn't expect that to make much of a performance difference on the road.
 
I don't know if that helps with your problem on your 2000 Astro....

#213 of 1972 re: MPG's by creid

Nov 12, 2001 (8:55 am)

I have a 2001 awd & get 13~14 in the city and 17~18 on hwy. The worst on hwy was 16 w/ head wind and hills. Seems w/ van fully loaded with family & luggage and going up semi-steep hill the van has to down shift to climb the hill. Mine has the 3.73 rearend which I'm unsure if I regret it or not. Seems to be pretty peppy around town but feel that hwy mileage is decreased due to the engine turning more rpm's.

Messages Page 22 of 198

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement