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Chevy Express/GMC Savana

618 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 12:44 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, Chevrolet Express Cargo, Chevrolet Sportvan, Chevrolet Chevy Van, Chevrolet Chevy Van Classic, Van

#8 of 618 by guitarzan Dec 17, 1999 (10:36 pm)
Av8dr, what does the owner's manual say? Guitarzan Community Leader/Vans Conference
#9 of 618 DRLs by hardesty Dec 18, 1999 (1:07 am)
By federal law, the manufacturer can not provide an off switch for DRLs. If you have automatic headlights, pulling the DRL fuse will probably disable those too. There is a way to make the DRL module think that the headlights are on, but it requires some re-wiring. It is legal for you to disable the DRLs, but not for someone to do it for you (dealer or mechanic).
#10 of 618 GM versus Ford by wvineyard Dec 19, 1999 (5:29 am)
I appreciate the postings here on the GM Savana reliability. My wife and I are looking at new vans now and she really likes the look of the Savana.  We have had both a Ford Aerostar and Econoline 250 and I will not buy another Ford due to the terrible reliability of both. By the way, we also have 6 kids... must be in the water... Replies to this message: fordfan4 (Apr 21, 2005 7:03 pm) claires (Apr 26, 2005 11:43 am)
#11 of 618 wvineyard by midasgold Dec 20, 1999 (3:22 pm)
Glad to be of service. If you'd like to read more of what I've written about our Savana, look under the topics "Full Sized Vans" (#18) and "Minivan vs. Suburban" (#858). Yup, six kids... and with a 12-seater, nobody has to sit next to anyone else.
#12 of 618 DRL's by roadranger Dec 22, 1999 (3:09 am)
The daytime running lights turn off when the parking brake is pressed (even 1 notch) Therefore you can drive with the park brake set 1 notch (this is fine for short distances) or for a permanant "off", just bypass the switch at the park brake.
#13 of 618 Savanna Problems by joker1 Dec 27, 1999 (2:30 am)
We have 37,000 on our 1997 Savanna SLE. We are very dissatisfied with the brakes. Just replaced the front pads for the third time along with the rotors. Rear brakes also replaced. Seems the front pads need replacing every 12,000 miles. GMC failed to stand behind their product when at, 20,000 miles the right front brake pad wore down due to a sticky caliper. The dealer wanted to charge me $40 just to inspect the caliper which was under warranty. I went to a private shop and don't intend to go back to the dealer again. The interior is cheap and as it gets older tends to squeek and rattle alot. The van looks great and is roomy and easy to drive however, the bad experience with the dealer over such a minor problem has caused us to look at Fords before another problem appears. As a note, we tried several GMC & Chevy dealers regarding the caliper problem and all wanted to charge to inspect it. When will GM learn that customer satisfaction should be their first concern. I wish Honda made a large enough vehicle to pull a trailor because I would buy it immediately. For those of you looking...beware!! Replies to this message: alonelydude (Nov 03, 2005 6:17 am) djl_family (Nov 11, 2005 5:59 am)
#14 of 618 battery disconnect by im4cpo1 Dec 30, 1999 (9:10 pm)
We have just purchased a 99 express conversion, and it has this automatic battery disconnect after 40 seconds, to prevent the battery from running down. it is only supposed to engage when something is left on ( I believe). however, intermittently the remote entry will not work after you have left and lock the van, then come back and everything is dead... you have to unlock by key, and then even the power door locks are inop? you have to turn the key on and off to reset everything, the radio loses the time etc... something is wrong and this power interlock is completely disconnecting the vans electrical.. any related problems out there
#15 of 618 by mrd1 Jan 03, 2000 (8:26 pm)
I own a 96 conversion and have had similar problems. I have 46,000 and have had front and rear brakes done plus I think I will have to do the fronts again soon. I thought it was just because I pull a trailer with it. I have also had the alternator replaced. I also had a complete rebuild of my rear end but it was very early and probably a factory defect even though I had seals redone since. I do like the ride and with the conversion the interior is very comfortable. I do worry about keeping the van after the warranty is done.
#16 of 618 Rear seals by joker1 Jan 06, 2000 (1:39 am)
I also had the rear seals replaced due to a leak. Fortunately the seals were under warranty. We drove a Ford conversion and found it less roomy and my wife couldn't reach the gas pedals!! We are going to try another Ford converter.
#17 of 618 joker1 by midasgold Jan 06, 2000 (11:25 pm)
Sorry to hear about the problems you've been having with your Savana - I would also be very upset if that happened with our van. Our Savana 2500 SLE just hit the 15,000 mile mark, and your post made me so paranoid that, today, when I took it to the dealer to have the front wheel bearings re-packed (as per the owner's manual), I asked them have a look at the brakes (I also had them look at the rear brakes because the parking brake pedal seemed to be traveling too close to the floor - see discussion in "Full Sized Vans" topic #18). To my relief, our Savana still has 60% on both the fronts and the rears, and the dealer assured me that its brakes are wearing at a normal rate. The parking brake cable was a adjusted, and all is well. I sure hope yours is an isolated problem... but I'm sure it doesn't feel that way when you're the one having the problem.

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