Chevy Express/GMC Savana Starting/Stalling Problems

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#65 of 105 Re: Van started/stalled then ran great for a year until now! [veggs2000] by scjh_1

Jul 15, 2010 (9:40 pm)

Replying to: veggs2000 (Nov 29, 2009 7:12 am)

I see the last entry was a while ago but maybe I can help someone who is searching this thread.

I took a trip with my van after replacing radiator, ECM fuel pump and tuning it up. It ran fine on the trip but once home i seemed to get rough and have a miss. Based on past history with the 5.7L Vortex I went after the intake gaskets. Found out they were already replaced. Problem seemed to still be there. Gave up and took it to the dealer and they gave me heart failure with their "quote". I did replace the crank sensor.( If this is done and the bushing in the timing cover comes out with the bolt try gluing it back in there with silicone. Worked for me).

Fast forward a year and I find out part of my problem. Had both Cats removed for"inspection" and was surprised when there was not one ounce of catalyst in either one. Muffler appears good and van does have great power. I can only guess when the Cats failed they were plugging up the exhaust and causing the van to chug and die out. Could be the reason for the noise in the exhaust.

hope this helps somebody save their nerves.

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#66 of 105 Re: 1996 Chevy Express Van wont start and I need help ! [scjh_1] by donzi428

Jul 16, 2010 (3:30 am)

Replying to: scjh_1 (Jul 15, 2010 9:23 pm)

I will LOVE you for a long time( I can say that I am a woman) if you just figured out what is wrong with my 96 Chevy Express van with the vortec 350 (5.7 l) I have had the same issue and have replaced so many parts its not even remotely funny. My van will start cold but will never restart if its hot. I have had it to 4! count them 4 mechnics now and no one can figure it out but say replace this and replace that. We replace parts and it still wont start when its hot. Otherwise the van runs awesome and looks awesome but wont restart if its hot. Wait an hour and a half and then it will restart.
I hope this wasnt a expensive part as it will be the very next thing that I replace.
Oh , mine will start right away if you take off the air filter and box and spray carb cleaner into it for 3 seconds then put it back together and it starts ever time.

I am so tired of this problem, I hope this is the part it needs to fix it , THANK you scjh 1 !!!! I will let you know !

Replies to this message:

handyexpress (Oct 13, 2011 6:36 pm)

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#67 of 105 intermittant fan/blower cut out by sphere1

Aug 15, 2010 (11:31 am)

03 savana , new to me for 5 mos. Replaced AC condenser coil ( it was MIA from schlock wreck repair and resell lot) belt on Comp. Idler at comp. recharged the AC and held! All set right? Nope..still need upper and lower fan shroud to use AC below about 40 MPH for air flow to keep the HI pressure side low enough to not hurt the system I was told. Shopping for them now ( about 106 from dealer).

But the rub is now, my fan (on high) will run fine for a few mins, then seem to fade out, then back OK again...I tried the manly fix or smackin the dash..no joy. Fiddlin with the knob from MAX to AC ,no real diff. Going from HI to next down and BACK does seem to kicjk it back up again in less time then NOT fiddling with it.

I think I see the resister on the blower housing, and checked the plug, all loks peachy keen and probably new being as it was a wreck.

I DO have a vacuume leak somewhere, gotta pull the file cabinet and get the dog house out to search, can't hear it fron under the hood..maybe that is dinking with the system?

Help?
Thanks.
Duane

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#68 of 105 2003 Express No Spark by awc

Sep 10, 2010 (6:38 pm)

Hello everyone! I'm new here so I hope that I will post this correctly. Looking for anyone who has some input because I'm about ready to pull my hair out......I have a 2003 Express with 4.8L V8 and I have no spark, this is what i've done so far.

Replaced Plugs and wires
Replaced Crankshaft Position Sensor

Can anyone suggest where the next step is??
The issue I have is getting it anywhere to get a code reader on it but thought I'd try to rule out some of the starting points etc........
I'm going crazy but any info would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

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#69 of 105 Chevy 2000 Express start and dies by crewvan

Sep 21, 2010 (8:07 pm)

I have a 2000 Express conversion van 5.7 engine, It would start and
run for 10 to 30 seconds and die, it would start right back and drive ok until I stopped for over 10 minutes and it would do it all over again, start and die, start and drive ok. No codes on OBD2 scanner and security light off.
After checking everything trying to find the problem. I removed passlock module.
and scanner read P1626 Theft Deterrant System Fuel Enable Circuit. With passlock module removed it would start and die as before. Let it set overnight and tried again next day. Still with module removed started and died 3 times. Connected module and no more problems. It runs great and has not died again. Passlock module is located under dash, right side of steering column, just above
gas pedal cable and back towards steering wheel, It is sort of hide,
I also found in a manual, if a magnet is placed near passlock sensor it will cause vehicle control module to lockout mode and turn on security light, My light did not
stay on. The pickup sensor is just below key lock cylinder very close to the key entrance. My problem all started with a spare key with a magnetic tag on the same key ring. This van does not have alarm system, horn blowning and head lights flashing, Just the key passlock system.

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#70 of 105 98' Savana - At a Loss....Won't start by thedowdyfamily

Oct 01, 2010 (12:17 pm)

I have read through all of the messages on this forum that relate and have foundsome useful ideas. I don't want to throw money to the wind and frankly can't afford to! My 98 Savana 5.7 has had the security light on solid for a few months my wife tells me...I recently returned from a deployment and after driving the van for a few days I parked it in the driveway last week and now it wont restart. It cranks and attempts to start but will not stay running. It has fuel pressure at the fuel rail and if I spray ether in the air cleaner it will stay running until I stop. It obvisously has spark as well. I dont know where to go from here....should I replace the ignition switch as some have suggested? I honestly don't know if the passlock is the issue as the light has been on for so long and it just now won't start. Or do I begin with a crank sensor...but it has spark? Help please as we are a large family with this as our only vehicle that can take us all. Thanks in advance

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#71 of 105 1997 Savana G3500 starting Problem by brandy325

Jan 04, 2011 (7:00 pm)

GMC, Savana G3500 (1-ton) Van
5.7 votec
100,000 miles

My Van doesn't start after heavy rain & wind. It turns over but the engine stops abruptly almost as if the engine is ceasing making a weird sound. It has ruien 2-starters. The van usually starts after a couple of days

Thigs I have tried .... New Starter.... dry Gas ... Check for spark, ok .... replaced the Distributer cap & rotar a year ago .. 2-new fuel pumps 1 1/2 yrs ago

This Problem has been on & off for two yrs

Would Spark plug wires have anything to do with this?

Replies to this message:

deejay2010 (Jan 07, 2011 8:45 pm)

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#72 of 105 Re: 1997 Savana G3500 starting Problem [brandy325] by deejay2010

Jan 07, 2011 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: brandy325 (Jan 04, 2011 7:00 pm)

I dont claim to be the most knowledgeable person when it comes to cars.. But im 100percent certain that these vehicles have issues with fuel pumps constantly dying.. and i mean replacing them every 15-20k miles.. Proven fact.

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#73 of 105 GMC wont start when hot by chrisbeard

Jan 19, 2011 (2:53 pm)

So we own a couple 2007 GMC savana vans and they would not start when hot. If I let it cool for about 30 min. it would fire right up. I had tons of morons try to tell me what was wrong with these vans. All kinds of electrical issues etc. My mechanic finally figured it out. Its the STARTER. To make sure you are having the same problem as I was, get under the van (when it is hot and wont start). Locate the starter and spray it with a hose for about two minutes. This cools the starter and it should fire right up. Be careful not to spray anything else. It is never good to spray cold water on hot car parts. The problem is simple. The starter housing expands when it is hot and magnets inside cannot make contact. Therefor, the starter wont turn until it cools and contracts. Yes magnets. Not like a typical brush in an electric motor. These are a bit different. Whatever you do, DO NOT HIT THE STARTER WITH ANYTHING to get it to turn over. These larger magnets will crack and the starter will never work again. If you did, it's time for a tow. This is not the 80's anymore. You don't need to beat the crap out your vehicle to get it to start. Try the hose, get home and replace the starter. Your electrical system is fine.

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#74 of 105 Re: Vans that start and then fail [speedzone3] by chrisbeard

Jan 19, 2011 (2:58 pm)

Replying to: speedzone3 (Dec 10, 2007 10:35 pm)

So we own a couple 2007 GMC savana vans and they would not start when hot. If I let it cool for about 30 min. it would fire right up. I had tons of morons try to tell me what was wrong with these vans. All kinds of electrical issues etc. My mechanic finally figured it out. Its the STARTER. To make sure you are having the same problem as I was, get under the van (when it is hot and wont start). Locate the starter and spray it with a hose for about two minutes. This cools the starter and it should fire right up. Be careful not to spray anything else. It is never good to spray cold water on hot car parts. The problem is simple. The starter housing expands when it is hot and magnets inside cannot make contact. Therefor, the starter wont turn until it cools and contracts. Yes magnets. Not like a typical brush in an electric motor. These are a bit different. Whatever you do, DO NOT HIT THE STARTER WITH ANYTHING to get it to turn over. These larger magnets will crack and the starter will never work again. If you did, it's time for a tow. This is not the 80's anymore. You don't need to beat the crap out your vehicle to get it to start. Try the hose, get home and replace the starter. Your electrical system is fine.

105 messages, Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 11:21 PM