Lots of problems with my 02 Venture

Hi,
I have a 2002 with 70000 miles Chevy Venture, love the van, the space, the color...
But I've been having a lot of troubles with it lately. None of them make me turn the car to the dealership (with extended warrenty), like a FAULY FUEL PUMP, LEAKING AC and malfunctioning AC valve did.

But these are my concerns:

1) The Suspension is horribly soft/none-working. Every bump is made even bumpier, the van rides up and down a lot. I probably won't have another choice than to replace the struts or shocks or something, right?

2) The engine makes a shrill wirring sound that can only be heard from outside. It's very low but it's there.
The engine also makes a dumdumdumdumdumdum kind of sound, also very low that can be heard at all times while driving and gets lounder and faster with speed.

The service engine soon light is on most of time (but not all the time (?why?) )

3) Since yesterday, "Service Traction System" comes on after I driver for about 5 minutes. It's not there when I start the car.

4) Very faint squaeling noise while breaking

5) SQUEAKY sound while moving the car, like driving or bumping in the seats. Seems to come from under the drivers seats.

6) Left Sliding door makes windy, wrry noises while driving (probably bad molding isolation ?)

7) breaks have AIR in them, I can push the pedal down all the way, makes wush-y sound. Time to bleed breaks?

8) Dex-Cool Refrigerant is low (the one that is in the front right in and says only to be serviced by technicions with R-134a Refrigerant. Is this for the AC ?

because...

9) The AC takes FOREVER to get cold, especially on hot dats (not fun in Texas-Summer)

10) 2nd row seat on passenger side (I have 3 seat config, it's the one with children's seat) is jammed, can't move it or get it out.

11) Left front Turn Light works SOMETIMES, but SOMETIME DOESN'T.

12) Condesed Water in Front Lamps (will drill holes later)

I suspect half of the problem may be because of faulty elctronic, computer or wireing, but I don't know for sure.

If anyone has ANY suggestions or answers at all, I would be most greatful!

Thank you and god bless!

EDIT:

ALSO: My Cruise Control stopped working. It worked fine until today, but there was never a "cruise control" light on. It used to work, the suddenly disengage. It didn't work for a while, than started working again and went out and stayed out. Now it's just doing nothing when I press the button.

Also, my winshield cracked a while ago...

Hi
Welcome to the forum!

First - Check your extended warranty paperwork and see if any of this stuff is covered (or might be). If so, take it in to have that stuff done. At the very least, print your message out and go have a talk with the service guys and see what they have to say.

With that said, on to the individual items.

1) Probably time for new shocks, if they have never been done before.

2) Its kind of hard to diagnose "sounds" remotely, but you should be able to have diagnostic codes pulled (because of the SES light). They will probably be "History" codes (stored), but they should be there and will point you or the mechanic in the right direction.

3) Some things take a few minutes to show up (they have to fail their "test program" a few times in a row). Probably a wheel speed sensor, but you would have to get the failure codes pulled to find out which one.

4) Have you had the brake serviced lately? I would suspect brake pads (front) or shoes (rear).

5) Sounds like loose or worn body part. Maybe a bushing gone bad. Look around with the van on a rack, or just have the kids jump up & down while you "look around".

6) Probably worn rubber molding. Find bad/loose one & repair/replace.

7) Probably time to have the brakes serviced (see item 4). Bleeding should be done at that time.

8) Dex-Cool is Engine Coolant/Antifreeze. It should be kept at the "Full" mark. R-134 is for the AC (see 9)

9) Have the AC system checked/serviced. When working, it should get cold quickly.

10) I've had this problem. Dirt gets into the "hooks" that hold the seat down. First try to vacuum out the floor area with the hooks & then get some (spray) silicon lubricant and squirt those hooks real good. Let it work for a few minutes & work the release around a few times. That should free it up a bit.

11) Probably loose wire or connector. I have some instructions on how to get to the lights & connectors on my site (with pictures). Here is the link to that page. (http://www.my-chevy-venture.com/headlight-turn-signals.html)

12) I would NOT drill holes because that would probably let more "stuff" in then it would let out.
I would just take the headlight assembly loose from the body, drain the water, let it dry, and reassemble it. I would also inspect it for "cracks" in the seals and replace the bad parts if needed (replacements can be found on eBay and other places on the web for a reasonable price).


ALSO: My Cruise Control stopped working. -
The tail/brake light circuit boards have been known to cause problems with the cruise control. Have them checked for any "melting" around the light bulb sockets. Repair/replace as necessary.

There is also a switch on the brake pedal that could be bad or have a loose wire/connector. Check it out.

Also, my winshield cracked a while ago...

Get it replaced if it leaks or if you feel it is unsafe.

I hope this helps some. It may take a little time and money to get everything fixed, but it sounds possible to me.

Take Care,

Welcome to the forum!
Thanks!

8) Dex-Cool is Engine Coolant/Antifreeze. It should be kept at the "Full" mark. R-134 is for the AC (see 9)

Okay, i'm confused: Why does the little yellow tank on the right side say DEX-COOL on the lid and R-134a on the sticker on the tank...?


10) Thanks, great idea!

12) Also great, thanks!

CrContrl:
Those circuit boards melt my bulbs down indeed. I replaced about 6 break-lights in the last 3 months. Now, I read that it may be due to water in the circuit boards and that it's a known (and unfixed!) error. Did they ever fix it on the Uplander? Would replacing the entire thing with Uplander-fixtures help?

Haven't had a chance to go fast enough for CC yet. But that makes sense to me

And great site, thank you so much!

God bless,
M

Hi My 2 cents 2000 Venture 75000 miles

1) I changed front struts and rear shocks last week : this is a new car.

2) no idea.

3) Unplug both L & R wiring of the ABS speed sensor from the front hub, spray with WD40 and the message will go off.

4) Pads ?

5) It makes me nut ! Same sound never localized.

6) Weather strip is probably damaged especially in bottom.

7) Yes.

8) Dex-Cool Refrigerant is low : maybe the IMG is toasted.


9) No connection beetwenn AC and Dex-Cool Refrigerant Leak in the A/C circuit.

10) WD40 on the front and rear seat bracket and pull it rought.

11) Mmmmhhh turn signal switch or blinker ....

12) I'll drill holes. It works.

ALSO: I dont have a "cruise control" light

PCM Hard reeboot may solve problem like turn signal or power side door stucked

Christophe Salvaing

I have the same melting light bulb base problem as mentioned above in my 2000 Olds Silh. I don't have cruise control issues but it is not used much. What circuit board am I looking for, where is it. How expensive is it to replace.


Thanks
Scott