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Chevy Express/GMC Savana: Brakes

76 messages,  Last post on Sep 21, 2012 at 2:05 PM

You are in the Chevy Express & GMC Savana Forum.

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

Messages Page 3 of 8

#16 of 76 Re: 1997 GMC Savana brake light problem [sparky55] by jcintc

May 23, 2005 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: sparky55 (Apr 24, 2005 12:18 pm)
sparky55,
Did you find an answer to your problem?
I have a 2001 Chevy Express & am having a simular problem.
The brake lights LT, center, RT will work fine until I turn the parking lights on & then when you apply the brakes the LT & RT go out & only the center will light up as a brake light. As soon as you release the brake pedal the center goes out & the LT & RT will light up as parking lights. If you or anybody has an answer please reply.

#17 of 76 Re: 1997 GMC Savana brake light problem [jcintc] by ciberpine

Apr 29, 2006 (10:57 am)

Replying to: jcintc (May 23, 2005 4:56 pm)
I had this exact problem. Both lower tail light sock (R&L) had slight corrosion that caused the ground to no longer make contact. I replaced both sockets and it all works now. I replaced the sockets by buying a tail light wiring harness from a GM dealer and using the two sockets on the wiring harness, one for each side. I just clipped the wires, attached the new sockets, taped it all back up, and was done. To replace the complete wiring harness requires taking inside panels off, etc. Too much work. Just replacing the lower tail light sockets is all that was necessary and splicing them into the existin wiring harness worked fine. A wiring harnes cost around $70 from the dealer, so save yourself &70 and just buy one of them.
 
It looks like the GMC vans must have a problem with water getting into the lower socket since there a number of people posting with the same problem.

#18 of 76 Re: 1997 GMC Savana brake light problem [ciberpine] by jetman1

May 25, 2006 (9:12 am)

Replying to: ciberpine (Apr 29, 2006 10:57 am)
My 1999 gmc savana cargo van had the same brake light problem. What I did instead of splicing in new light sockets was release the contact terminal inside the socket itself, due this by using a pick type tool or small screw driver etc. and guide it down the terminal until it pushes and releases then i took some small stranded wire and wrapped it around the terminal and pushed it back into the socket. the wire stuffed in there puts more pressure and gives more contact area.
  Hope this reply can help out and i hope i'm being accurate enough as it has been two years since i did the repair. It is still working perfectly today.
  I notice these vans every day on the road with brake light problems. Don't know if it's moisture related or under rated/inferior materials

#19 of 76 Dually brake question. by atlantareb

Oct 22, 2006 (1:41 pm)

I've got a 2001, 3500 Chev. Express and I decided to change the brake shoes on the rear dually axle. Question: Is the hub and drum make together on this big truck? I've been reading the shop manual, but I swear they are working on a different truck, perhaps the 1500 or 2500, where the hub and axle are clearly separate. I've already pulled the axle on one side, but it looks like I will have to take off the "axle nut retaining ring" and "adjusting nut" and "key" and finally the "wheel hub" WITH the big drum.
This doesn't seem right--the bearings will be falling out just to change the rear brake shoes. I guess I could take a digital picture of the situation and ask at a brake shop, but I thought a would try this forum. Maybe there is a forum out there for mechanical questions. If someone knows of one let me know--I've got a lot more work to do on this truck.

#20 of 76 Re: Dually brake question. [atlantareb] by atlantareb

Oct 23, 2006 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: atlantareb (Oct 22, 2006 1:41 pm)
After some investigation today, I can answer my own question: The dually hub and drum are one item. The axle nut must be taken off then the whole assembly comes off as a unit, bearings and all. I did have to buy a special socket for the axle nut though, #OTC 1929, for $38.

#21 of 76 2000 Chevy Express 3500 Custom Van by menjor

Nov 13, 2006 (9:09 pm)

I have a 2000 Chevy Express 3500 Custom Van that the ABS Control Module or the ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE or the ECBM depending on who I talk to is bad. I have had the codes pulled from two people and they both said it is bad. What goes wrong is it will not shut off when I turn off the vehicle. And over the course of the night, drains the battery. As a wheelchair bound former Marine, this is a pita..and since I am on a budget that a 1200.oo dealer repair bill blows clean out of the water I was looking for some advice.
 
1st off does anyone know where it is located at?
 
Maybe a Chevrolet Part number I can cross referance OEM versions
 
And thoughts of obtaining one from a Salvage yard...it there a way to test one from a salvage yard with a meter if I talk my meter with me?
 
Thx for any help.
 
Respectfully,
 
Auto Marine on Wheels

#22 of 76 Re: Chevy Express brake light problem [jcintc] by bob168

Dec 22, 2006 (8:44 am)

Replying to: jcintc (May 23, 2005 5:00 pm)
I have a 2001 Express also
Having the same problem, confirmed myself that the socket are bad, the actual problem with the sockets are the way "they" attach or make contact with he ground wire to the socket. Its a pressure fit and my guess is dissimular metals. Add moisture to the picture and you get corrosion. I replaced both sockets to correct this problem. Using a NAPA replacement part.
You would think this would call for a re-call.

#23 of 76 chevy express ABS sensor by domeowner

Jan 15, 2007 (8:19 am)

(2003 express cargo 3/4ton, 34k miles, not heavy-duty use.) about 10mph the brake pedal mushes. mechanic diagnosis: replace front wheel bearing assy as the sensor is within that. 1)it seems this is premature for $500 repair. 2)could a pressure washer washing under the wheels have triggered it? 3)if not replaced, can brakes go out, or what are other bad can come of this? suggestions/thoughts?thanx in advance.

#24 of 76 Rear brake "thud" by randyray

Jan 18, 2007 (2:30 pm)

I have a 2001 Chevrolet Express 1500 LT van with 90,000 miles. I like the van, however, when I release the brakes, there is a "thud" in the rear brakes. Two different mechanics have looked at them, replaced the pads, adjusted them, but cannot eliminate this annoying noise. They tell me that there is nothing they can do to stop it. Are you all experiencing the same thing and have just gotten used to it? Or is there something that will fix the problem? What is the problem? Thanks for any advice that will help stop the problem (pun intended).

#25 of 76 2005 CHEV EXPRESS 1500 PASSENGER by vinnyb3

May 26, 2006 (5:21 pm)

Replying to: randyray (Jan 18, 2007 2:30 pm)
I am experiencing braking problems. During slow driving conditions only, i.e. heavy traffic, excessive braking, the ABS and Emergency brake indicator light is coming on with an error beep./signal. This is causing brake failure for brief periods of time, bunny-hop, etc. and on two separate occasions, potential pedestrian and vehicle accidents. I have had the van at the dealer on two separate occasions and they cannot find anything wrong with the vehicle. Has anyone else experienced this? Please assist.

Messages Page 3 of 8

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