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Chevy Vans: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

629 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2009 at 5:52 AM

You are in the Chevy Venture Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Astro, Chevrolet Venture, Van

Messages Page 58 of 64

#565 of 629 Re: Steering noise in 1999 Venture [442dude] by cyberx1

Mar 22, 2008 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: 442dude (Mar 21, 2008 3:31 pm)
Oh, onemore thing. I took my van to the Chevy dealer yesterday to have my PS system checked. Asa I suspected, the Mom and Pop auto shop who perfromed the repairs on my van really screwed up and ther're not fessing up to it so I'm now stuck. Turns out that Mom and Pop shop replaced my Power Steering pump and filled with TRANSMISSION FLUID! Does this present a problem now as they offered to drain and refill with Power Steering fluid? Also, will adding Lucas PS fluid improve anything, in your opinion? Lastly, Checy stated the the High Pressure PS Hose was inprorperly installed and slightly bent, but Mom and Pop shops states that that is impossible in that hose can only be installed on way - what do you think? Can improper installation cause any problesm with my Powersterering system? FYI that although the noise is extreley annpoying, the stewering appesars to work just fine, to inlkuce tight turns.
 
Thank you again.
 
Mark in Plano, TX
Retired Marine

#566 of 629 Re: Steering noise in 1999 Venture [cyberx1] by 442dude

Mar 22, 2008 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: cyberx1 (Mar 22, 2008 1:12 pm)
Hi Mark...Semper Fi !!
 
Let's break this down...
 
1. Trans fluid in PS pump - hard to say what issues this could cause, depends upon the compatibility of the 2 fluids...they're both theoretically "hydraulic fluid" and I know there were some Fords that used trans fluid in the PS system...I can't imagine that there's a good way to get all of the old fluid out for sure without dismantling the system...I think I would get rid of all I could and refill with the right fluid and cross my fingers...I'm not going to be shocked if just replacing the fluid gets rid of the noise.
 
2. High pressure hose - I think my biggest concern would be that there is a kink in it that is restricting the flow and possibly causing your noise...but you say that the steering is working fine...I think if it was kinked the steering wheel would be hard to turn...I've never had to replace ours so I can't say for sure if you can install it more than one way...like I said...I think a kink would be the issue here if you had one.
 
I'm not a mechanic unless there's a shade tree and some beer around but here's what I would do:
 
Replace the PS fluid with the correct fluid and do the air bleed procedure...
Check the high pressure line from the pump (its the one that comes off of the bottom of the PS pump) for kinks or restrictions.
 
Then I would see what happens...Honestly, I think the correct fluid will cure the noise...and a little Lucas in there certainly wouldn't hurt either - they make good products.
 
Let me know how you make out and feel free to post question...good luck
 
John

#567 of 629 My 2002 Venture hesitates and no one knows why! by witchblade24

Apr 12, 2008 (6:38 pm)

#568 of 629 My 2002 Venture hesitates and no one knows why! by witchblade24

Apr 12, 2008 (9:44 am)

It seems to have all started after I hit a cat on the interstate about a year ago. Had no trouble with my van before that. Because of the damage the cat made we replaced the radiator unit which is also the a/c condenser (if I remember correctly). About a week after that replacement was made the van started hesitating on acceleration but only sometimes. Some days it would run smooth but others I'd be lucky to make it out of the driveway. We took it to the shop and they said it was the spark plugs. We paid around $300 for the plug change. 2 days later the hesitation returned and the shop then said it was the transmission. We paid $1800 to rebuild the transmission and less than a week later the hesitation returned. We left the ran sitting in the driveway for about a week, then it ran fine for a few days, then the hesitation returned. We took it to a new shop and they said we needed a fuel system service (fuel filter, injectors cleaned, PCV, EGR, etc). We paid around $200 for that and it ran great for 2 months! Hesitation returned, though, but not as often so it was easier to deal with. Just a few weeks ago it started being more frequent. Took it to a new shop and they said it was the catalytic converter screen/filter so there went $285. A few days later it was STILL doing it so NOW they say it's the intake manifold gasket and it'll be $800. This mechanic says he notices the temperature gauge going up slightly at a red light then it comes down again and that's a symptom. I've noticed it, too, but I hear the fan come on and the temp goes down...isn't that what's supposed to happen?
Oh ,and the midst of all that my brakes went out so that was another $867.
 
I'm at the end of my rope. We cannot afford a car payment (car loan was rolled into mortgage) so we keep slapping these repairs on our credit card and I'm now having emotional breakdowns DAILY over this. My husband is not any way a mechanic and just when we trust a real mechanic they slap us with a big estimate for something they THINK might be the problem. No one seems to know exactly what is wrong with this van...the computer is not giving out codes. The only one it gave was the 02 sensor and after the catalytic converter was worked on the mechanic said it might just be giving out a false reading on that BECAUSE of the converter having been clogged.
 
 He has no explanation as to why my gas gauge goes up and down at every turn, either. I keep thinking "THE PROBLEMS" is something in the fuel tank...maybe debris/dirt/junk is clogging up my injectors. The van ran great for 2 months after we got them cleaned last time but I kept using cheap gas so maybe things got stirred up again? Sometimes it sputters, backfires, hesitates and seems like it's going to shut off. Other times it chugs and sputters along and when I hit 45 mph it feels like something got unstuck and it got some gas and runs along. Idling it sounds fine, slowly giving it gas sometimes is okay too but when I have to give it more to get going then that nightmare begins.
 
I've done research on the manifold gasket and although I know it's a known problem wouldn't the gasket have been completely GONE by now if it was really the problem? How has no other mechanic even mentioned this as being a possible cause? How is this van not giving a code for this problem it's had for a year?
 
 I'm at my wit's end and have no where else to turn!
 
Aurelia

#569 of 629 Re: My 2002 Venture hesitates and no one knows why! [witchblade24] by 442dude

Apr 12, 2008 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: witchblade24 (Apr 12, 2008 9:44 am)
Hi Aurelia....
 
I have no idea what's wrong with your van but.....
 
I'm concerned with the fact that there are "no codes" in the computer. Everytime the motor hiccups, misfires or does something else strange, the computer saves the "event"...basically, it takes a snapshot of everything going on at the time it happens so a tech can access the records and figure out what is wrong.
 
Here's my opinion - I think your EGR valve has a problem...it typically has to be a disaster to set a trouble code and it takes a long time to get that far...do an internet search, ask a friend, somehow find out where the EGR valve is on the Venture...then remove it, clean it and replace it.
 

2 bolts hold it in...clean it with carburetor cleaner and a toothbrush...there is a pintle in the middle that should move up and down...clean it and make sue it moves freely. I'm not convinced that it was removed and cleaned when the fuel system was serviced as they usually don't do that...
 
Even if you can't do the work, maybe you have a friend who can? Good luck, post back with any questions...
 
BTW - As for your gas gauge, the Venture gas gauges typically start to have issues about 80,000 miles...the level sensor in the fuel tank is to blame...its an expensive repair, just keep track of your mileage and get it filled up every 300 miles.
 
John

#570 of 629 '02 Chevy Venture Outside Temperature on Console by neustkg

Aug 09, 2008 (2:29 pm)

#571 of 629 '02 Chevy Venture Outside Temperature on Console by neustkg

Aug 07, 2008 (1:59 pm)

We have an '02 Chevy Venture that has the outside temperature reading on our upper console that has kept fairly accurate temperature readings so far. Recently, on very hot days, it has displayed very low temperatures (like 60s or 70s when it should have read in the 90s). After a while, it usually bounces back to what I think it should read.
 
Does anyone know what might be happening to the temperature probe? Anyone know where the temperature probe is? Is there an easy fix? I'm not going to take it into the shop for something like this as the vehicle has +90k miles on it. I'd like to know if it is something I can easily fix.

#572 of 629 Re: '02 Chevy Venture Outside Temperature on Console [neustkg] by 442dude

Aug 09, 2008 (5:50 am)

Replying to: neustkg (Aug 07, 2008 1:59 pm)
Hello,
 
Here are the words you were waiting to hear:
 
The fix couldn't be easier-
 
The temperature probe is "kaput" Open the hood and look down and to the left in front of the radiator. There's a little black gizmo (about an inch or so long) with numbers stamped into the side of it attached there with wires & a plug attached to it. Disconnect the plug and carefully remove it, chances are you'll break the attachment but don't worry, you can reattach the new one with a zip tie if it breaks.
 
Take the part to the dealer and get a new one - 2 years ago it was about a $ 10 part, might be a little more now but still cheap. The part # is stamped on the side so you can call around and get the best price. Once you've got the new one,just plug it in & reattach. Thats it and your display will be back to normal.
 
 

#573 of 629 Re: '02 Chevy Venture Outside Temperature on Console [442dude] by neustkg

Aug 09, 2008 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: 442dude (Aug 09, 2008 5:50 am)
Thanks! Sounds like a very easy fix. I've got a discount with a local Chevy dealer here for parts, too. Maybe I'll save a dollar, but a dollar is a dollar. I also need a new window motor for the very back passenger side window.

#574 of 629 Re: '02 Chevy Venture Outside Temperature on Console [neustkg] by 442dude

Aug 09, 2008 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: neustkg (Aug 09, 2008 12:02 pm)
Good luck...
 
Interestingly enough, I got our part at a Cadillac dealer which is up the street. I called them to see if they had it and they gave me a price on the phone (about $ 9-10.00) My wife went to pick it up and when she gave them the part # they asked her if the guy quoted her a price on the phone..fortunately I told her what to expect...I wonder if they would have charged her more?

Messages Page 58 of 64

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