Minivans/Vans

1994 Chevy Astro Van AWD

mr_tommy_gunn — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:09:30 GMT

So, we bought this vehicle approximately 8 days ago. It originally idled a bit rough but drove pretty smoothly. Well, the other day it starts running REALLY rough,puffing alot of thick black smoke out of the exhaust and clearly overheating. It lost all power and died as we were trying to get off the highway and had to push it into a gas station parking lot and let it sit for about 40 minutes. There was still coolant in it. We added water and once it cooled it started back up. Getting back onto the freeway it started jerking and sputtering and then lost all power what so ever. Any idea whats goin' on??? Please help!

Thermostat replacement 1998 olds silohouette

oldsowner08 — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:02:55 GMT

Trying to replace thermostat on my van... one problem I can't find my thermostat housing. I know that sounds silly but after looking for it near the top side radiator hose no luck.When I bought the replacement the auto parts store told me it was inside my radiator cap (on top of the radiator) I've never heard of such a thing. The only ones I've ever dealt with were on the engine side of the top hose. Are they right and if so how do I open that cap since it says it is pressurized and should not be opened like a regular one? I'm out of a vehicle right now so anyone who can tell me where the heck this is located would be great. This should really be a simple fix and I'm just lost right now.

Custom Van Safety

newonenc — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:01:09 GMT

We are interested in purchasing a Custom Van but I cannot find anything on Safety ratings or issues for any of them. There is plenty out there on 15 passenger cargo vans but not custom vans that might only hold six or seven people. Can anyone provide links or info on crash tests? Concerns? Are the roll over ratings the Nat.Trans.Board posted a few years ago applied to custom vans? Any experiences with custom van issues?

2006 Caravan Seats cause Pain

CompanyMan — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 01:01:59 GMT

I drive a Caravan because it is a company car and had no choice in the matter. The driver's seat causes me great pain, as in the ass, legs,back, you get the picture. I'd like to transplant a seat from a Honda, Toyota, or Mazda van, bur I don't know if this is either possible or safe. An aftermarket seat is $5-600. A used "salvage" seat from a 2005 Honda Odyessey is $200. Does anybody have any guidance, or am I the only one who hates this van's seat this much??

2005 Grand Caravan SXT bfront brake grinding

tfields1211 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:25:19 GMT

I recently replaced the front and rear pads as well as front rotors on my wife's van. Now we occaisionally hear and feel a grinding noise from the front passenger side when applying brake pressure. It is not consistent and seems to have no pattern such as hard vs. easy braking. It is random... any thoughts?

98 Plymouth Grand Voyager liftgate wont open

ferrethunter — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:19:23 GMT

98 Plymouth Grand Voyager need someone to help explain how to manually get the back liftgate open.Was having trouble,like not opening on first attempt, then two, three tugs at the handle befor releasing to open now nothing.I need to pop the door somehow open to disassemble and repair, but repair manual,no help

1995 cevey lumina apv

james dillon — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 04:56:13 GMT

When shifting from park into gear motor shuts off. Whats wrong?

1995 chevy lumina apv

james dillon — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 04:53:38 GMT

When I shifting from park int gear motor shut of whe transmission engages.

putting on serpentine belt

n8t — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:06:12 GMT

How do I put on the new serpentine belt on a 95 ford windstar?

1992 Plymouth Voyager won't start

Chef-in-need — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:08:45 GMT

My van will turn over but not start.Its getting fire but not fuel. Where is the fuel pump? The van is a 1992 Plymouth Voyager 3.0 liter fwd 6 cylander.

91 Dodge Caravan s belt problem

granny_smurf — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 06:13:48 GMT

does anyone have a diagram and instructions on how to replace the s belt on my van it has a 3 3 engine?

2000 caravan starter problems

Terry5751 — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:54:09 GMT

Hello all I have a 2000 caravan and it only clicks when we turn the key, I have replaced to relay fuse and it seemed to work for a few months but now it is doing it again and changing the fuse did not help. is there anything else to check before replacing the starter??? Thank you

power steering

algomadogs — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 23:17:46 GMT

We just replaced the power steering pump, water pump and the belt tension pully. It has run good for two weeks but now when you apply the brakes the power steering don't work. It runs great down the road, but when you brake to turn into a driveway it is almost impossible.

Transmission. Upshift and downshifts constantly.

jbeams — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:47:18 GMT

Checking with a local area O'Reilly's store, I was informed, that this is a transmission rebuild. To try and keep it on the road longer, until you have the cash for it. Drain the transmission fluid.

Locate the Transmission Band tightening screws. Loosen the lock nut. With a flat tip screw driver, turn the screw inwards, to tighten the band. Replace the filter. Put a new gasket on the pan. Tighten the bolts according to specs. Refill the transmission. This might cure the temporary, problem.

The overhaul may wait for a short period of time, until you can get it done professionally. As on the 1991 Plymouth Voyager, front wheel drive models, the engine and the front CV joints have to be disconnected before the transmission can be removed. Depending on the shop and it's qualitications. Your vehicle maybe there for a few days.

unexplained undercarriage rattle

jbeams — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:40:13 GMT

While chancging the oil today. 10-24-06 Tuesday. I heard that incessant rattle. I thought it was the shock absorber coming loose again. While checking the undercarriage, I soon found that the muffler sits to close to the rear spring connector (forward). The vibration from the engine, moves down the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe vibrates against the bolt causing a ratteling noise.

A small block of wood or rubber works, until it wears away. Will try several other things, will post what I find works the best.

IAT sensor location in 2000 3.3L Chrysler T & C

robar — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:42:59 GMT

I have a 2000 T & C minivan with a 3.3L engine that has a trouble code 23 showing up. (The check engine light came on and I used the "hold reset and trip buttons" to get the code.) This does not appear to have the OBDII "P" code control because the code is two digits not the expected 3 or 4 digit "P" code. Code 23 is supposed to be the IAT sensor but I cannot locate it. There is nothing in the air intake piping and there is nothing on the manifold that looks like the part the autoparts store wants to sell me. Can you help?

timing chain and water pump replacement

jbeams — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 23:59:13 GMT

My recent, situation with my 1991 Plymouth Vaoyager sportsmans edition mini van. 3.0L engine. I called 25 service departments, from around the Omaha, and Council Bluffs area. I was quoted prices in replacing the water pump and timing belt; the most I was quoted was $1,400.00 the least amount I was quoted, was $450.00. I was able to scrape up the $450.00. I went with a local mechanic. AC Delco Service Garage. The owner is Gino. Located in NorthWest Omaha. An extremely honest mechanic. Stuck to his quote. Also handed back the broken parts to me. Explained to me, that the water pump and timing belt on all vehicles needs replacement every 90,000 to 100,000-miles.

It would be nice if we all had a owners manual that explained these little particulars. It would be so helpful for the rest of us.

Gino's AC Delco service department, is highly recommended by this individual. His Service Shop, has no complaints by the Better Business Bureau, all compliments, and I can see why.

This particular shop here, does all routine maintenance on the vehicles as well as major overhauls, if your vehicle needs it.

I am one extremely happy customer.

1991 Plymouth Voyager SE 3.0L engine,3peed auto,ac,ps,pb. Timing belt breakage.

jbeams — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 07:00:43 GMT

We bought our family minivan, our first. A 1991 Plymouth Voyager Sportmens Edition. Silver with Burgundy interior.

About 6-months ago, the van began upshifting and downshifting. It uses a little oil, okay I figured, no problem. Checked the fluid levels again. Oil was low, transmission fluid was low, and the water was low. Added fluid. No problem. The upshifting got worse, then developed a high pitch squeal. The garage mechanic said: Water pump or alternator. Okay, 2 weeks, maybe tops...we can send it in. On the way into work, there was a loud clunk under the vehicle, the rpms went from 2500 to 200 in seconds. I shifted to neutral, the engine died. Wont restart.

I never owned a fuel injected vehicle, had no clue. I called the garages, mechanics were nice, Read a few books. Okay I got this. replaced the fuel filter, (found under the van 1- to 1-1/2 feet in under the body frame. Small canister, silver. MOunts one way only. 13mm main bolt to hold it to the frame. 7.5mm small bolts to remove the 2 small retaining clamp screws on the fuel line. Wiggled a few times, it cam off. Fuel came out from the line from the gas tank. But not to the engine. Replaced the fuel filter. Happy with myself. Turned the key nothing. Strong smell of gas now. Removed the coil wire, checked for a spark. Nothing. removed the coil took it to O'reilly's they checked the coil. One attendant, asked for the make of vehicle. I told him. He said, my van was the same type, it was notorius every 150 to 200k miles, the timing chain broke.

Remove the distributor cap, (use the smallest bit-anti-tamper proof torx bits) O'Reilly's carry these $13.95 at the time of this writing. (not incl tax).Have some turn the key over, see if the rotor turns, if it doesnt and the engine cranks, then it's your timing belt.

You need alot of patience, alot of time (approx. 4 to 6 hours ) to tackle this job. As everything has to be removed from the front of the engine, including: supporting the engine, from underneath, as you disconnect the right engine mount from the engine, and remove all the componets, in your way to get too the timing belt cover underneath. (O'REilly's timing belt for our van is $19.95 not incl tax). make sure you van your number one piston at Top Dead Center. Remove all the componets, then you can remove and replace everything else. AS needed. Later today I am calling a few garages, to see what the financial damage will be. Will post again, with the garage and the fees involved.