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Chevy Astro Car Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1990 Chevrolet Astro Van 4.3 V6 mileage: 79,881. Two years ago the engine was replaced in my 1990 Astro CL ext. van. Immediately this problem started. It run and rides smooth when moving, but when I apply the braked at a full stop and sit with my foot on the brake peddle to keep it from moving such as at a stop light, it vibrates so hard that it shakes the whole van. When I take my foot off the brake and accelerate, the vibration stops. Then, when I stop again, it starts again. You can even hear the vibration. Help, no one seems to know what is causing this. I first was told it was the motor mounts, but that was not the case.

Answer: Your engine is equipped with an internal balance shaft. The vibration is likely caused by an improperly installed balance shaft.

Question: 2001 Chevy Astro Van mileage: 56,000. A driver-side ball joint broke and the mechanic replaced both low and up ball joints and the idler arm.  There has not been any problem with the same parts on the drivers side, the mechanic wants to replace these as well. Is this repair necessary without some test of these parts?  (This repair is very expensive for me.)  Thank you.

Answer: With the proper equipment, the amount of wear in the ball joints can be measured. If they are warn beyond the tolerance (limits), they should be replaced. 

Question: 1998 Chevy Astro ABS mileage: 129,000. My Van with ABS has had brake problems for two years and over the course of these two years I've had two complete brake jobs, new Calibers on the front, had the drums and disc turned, bleed the brakes and....the problem is: whenever you perform any of these mention things to the brake the brakes would work fine...then 2-4 months later...the brakes would become very touchy whenever you step on the brake pedal at a slow speed.  And...it would just about put you though the windshield until I get the brakes bleed or get a brake job etc. Can you please help? The Chevy dealer doesn't know what would cause this problem so they are recommending a complete replacement of the brake system for $1500.00. I am sure it has got to be something simple.

Answer: Replacing the rear brake drums and brake shoes with factory parts, not relined brake shoes should solve your problem.  Not all relined brake shoes are created equal.

Question: 1992 Chevy Astro AWD mileage: 125,000. We have a severe pull to the left side when braking. We have checked the pads and rotors, changed the calipers, and new shocks. We jumped the ABS system and found that it needed a new micro-valve (costing $900) so instead of buying we wanted to make sure that was the problem and by-passed the ABS system by going from the master cylinder to the breaks. This still did not solve the problem of the very aggressive pull to the left when breaking. We have looked at the sway bar, looked ok, but we are not sure about the torsion bar that goes towards the rear of the vehicle. We are looking for ideas of what would cause this pulling to the left. While driving it, drive straight down the road with no noise. Once the brakes are applied, the vehicle will seem to straighten back up but by that time, you are in the opposite lane ready to be hit by an oncoming car.

Answer: Your problem may not be in the brakes. More likely it is in the suspension. Check for worn, bent or broken components; ball joints, control arms, etc. In addition, check the rear suspension.

Question: 1992 Chevrolet Astro van. I have a starting problem that suddenly appeared. The fuel pump runs sometimes when the ignition switch is turned on (for 2 seconds, to prime the system), and sometimes will not. A pressure gauge at the fuel port shows 51 PSI after the pump has been run (after priming cycle); 59 PSI while the pump is running. (Engine off). To get the engine to start, I tried bypassing the relay (sending 12 V through the 'prime' connector under the hood), and it started, although with difficulty and several stalls. Once the engine is running, the fuel pump relay will make contact and I can release the starter switch I used to send power to the priming connector. The engine will refuse to fire the fuel injector until I force the pump to run (which boosts the pressure to 59 PSI). Very strange. I'd replace the regulator next, but it's sold with the injector assembly and it looks like they built the van around it! A flow test with a pressure gauge (again, using a wire to send power to the pump) showed what I though look like good flow with a constant 51 PSI. There seemed to be air passing through the clear bypass line. (The gauge reads 1/2 tank, and I'm certain it's at least1/3 full. The book I bought says 'approximately 58-64 PSI' is good. How approximately? HELP! I'm rom the old school - 5-PSI mechanical fuel pumps, and looking down the carburetor to diagnose fuel problems. Do the drive train control computers pack up in these trucks? Randy, Calgary, Alberta

Answer: It appears that your problem is the fuel pressure regulator. It is part of the fuel injector assembly. Unfortunately, the entire assembly has to be changed.

Question: 1996 Chevy Astro mileage: 82,926. I have a '96 Chevy Astro Van and the air conditioner was not blowing cold air. I found out it was a Freon gas leak problem. I took it to the Chevy dealer and they replaced the leaking suction discharge hose. Next day, I found out that the rear air conditioner was not blowing cold air. It was working fine before the Freon gas leak. Now, the front A/C works fine but the rear A/C is not blowing cold air. The blower motor is good, rear A/C switch and speed control works fine. What could be the problem?

Answer: The air-conditioning system for the front and rear are both supplied Freon from a single compressor on the engine. If the rear fans are working and the front air conditioner gets cold, then there must be some air blockage on the rear air-conditioning system.

Question: 1998 Chevy Astro Van mileage: 63,000. Have an all wheel drive with a vibration at between 60 and 75 mph. It gets worse when I put the engine under load, and smoothes out when the load is decreased. I have balanced the tires, rotated them, had both drive shafts taken off and inspected, and am now being told by a mechanic that the transfer case might be causing the vibration, at least a 70% chance. His recommendation is to replace it with a new GM factory built. I have been told that some vibrations are never found, at least not very easily. What would you recommend?

Question: 1999 Astro Van mileage: 97,000. I do a lot of driving and I am a talk radio fan. The am/fm factory radio that came with the truck has developed more and more static as I drive. The noise increases with engine speed and under load. I have had the spark plug wires replaced and new spark plugs installed. The noise is not a whine but rather a rapid staccato. For some reason when I had the tune up they told me they didn't replace the rotor and cap. Is there any aftermarket radio suppression I can install to correct this?

Question: 2003 Chevy Astro Van. I have a 03 Chevy Astro Van and the rear air conditioner is not working. The blower motor is good, I hooked it up to 12 volts and it works, when there is a load or the blower is hooked up the voltage drops down to 0 volts. The switch is good, the fuse is good and the rear condenser is getting cold, it's just not blowing out air. Is there a relay or something that is bad? All speeds for rear blower do not work, the front works great. Thanks Jim

Answer: Check the 12-volt circuit that supplies power to the blower motor with the blower motor on (with a load). There is probably a bad connection somewhere that fails under load.

Question: 1997 Chevy Astro Van mileage: 60,000. My van is equipped with a trailer towing package, 410 rear end etc. When towing I burn a quart of oil every 100 miles or so. It was much worse, but I switched to a synthetic 20-50 wt oil for the summer. When not towing it does not use any oil? It is not leaking and there is no sign that it is burning the oil. (The trailer does not get a coat of oily film like a previous vehicle). I do not do a lot of traveling, maybe 600 miles per year towing. Any suggestions?

Answer: What may be occurring is that in normal driving, without a trailer; the engine breather system can handle the "blow by that is generated by the piston rings (90,000 miles on them). When you tow a trailer, you are obviously working the engine harder, which causes more blow by. This may be overpowering the engine breathers forcing oil into the engine intake system. This is what burns the oil. Check your breathers and the PCV valve to make they are functioning properly.

Question: 2002 Chevrolet Astro van mileage: 58,000.  I have replaced the fuel pump, coil, and module p/u in the distributor. I have power to the coil and to the back of the distributor to the module, but still no spark from the coil wire to the distributor, HELP.  Where to go next.  It is not showing any code last time I check the ECM.

Answer: Check the wiring for damage and check pin to pin with a continuity meter to see if you have a bad connection somewhere in the harness.

Question: 1999 Astro Van 6 cyl mileage: 62,000.  I have a 1996 Astro Conversion Van and my windshield wipers quit on occasion. Also, the interior lights come on when I accelerate and go off when I brake.  They will not shut off unless I have the car facing downhill.  Is there a switch gone bad that operates both of these?

Answer: The picture you describe sounds like a comedy act but we are sure it is not funny to you. When a conversion is done, the wiring must be integrated to the added conversion.  In doing so, something has apparently gotten loose and is shorting out. You might want to look and see if there is a storage compartment that has a light that comes on when the door is opened.  If there is, there may be a bad switch in that compartment.  Otherwise, all we can tell you is to start checking wires and connections.

Question: 1975 Chevrolet Van 350 cid.  Where is the solenoid on a Chevy van located? On the firewall or on the starter?  I’m trying to hook up an ammeter my father claims it is on the firewall I say it's located on the starter.  Who is right?  Thanks

Answer: You win this round, it is on the starter.

Question: 1996 Chevy Astro 6 cylinder mileage: 77,000.  Recently our '94 Astro has stopped running, at times.  We have had it into Firestone twice, the local Chevy dealer (for four days) and a local repair shop twice. Both Firestone and the repair shop recognize a problem, and had recommended that we take it to the dealer.  The dealer says the car is O.K. and the only thing wrong was a dead battery.  The battery wasn't dead prior to taking it in; I think the dealer ran it down.   The Astro will not start on some occasions after sitting over night, but then starts fine the next day.  When it doesn't start, it cranks over fine, and you can hear the fuel pump running (buzz). When driving it you can feel the engine missing, some times so bad the car stalls, and at other times just a little. When it misses or doesn't start the Service Engines Soon light comes on. 1st - Firestone replaced the fuel filter.  They put it on their machine and said it had a "Cold Starting" issue and to take it to the dealer.  2nd - Dealer said they put it on the machine and it was OK.  They replaced the battery.  3rd - Local shop found high voltage (25 to 35) going to the plugs so they replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires and PCV valve.  The second time they said they suspected the fuel injector poppets sticking and put fuel injector cleaner in the gasoline.  They checked the fuel pressure and said it was OK.  Right now, the car sits in the driveway, and has to have it towed (for the fourth time this month) to someone to repair.

Answer: Try replacing the fuel pump and all six fuel injectors.  It has been our experience that your problem is not unique.

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