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Chevy Astro Car Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1996 Chevy Astro Van mileage: 56,000.   Hello. My problem is that I have cargo doors in the back with a pop-up window/door.  It usually just releases and when you lift it up, it goes up and stays in place.  Lately when you release it and lift it up, it will not stay up and needs to be manually held in place.  Is it a hydraulic problem and is it something I can take care of myself.  Thank you

Answer: The lift shocks on the cargo door need to be replaced.  Lift shocks are pressurized with nitrogen gas, which, over time, leaks out and consequently will not support the cargo door.

Question: 2002 Chevy Astro van mileage: 41,000. My car is not running smooth when I go up hill.  The engine jumps, I call it the put-put sound.  My mechanic ran a diagnostic on it and nothing was wrong.  The engine light does not come on.  When he looked at it he said it had phosphorus burns and fixed the timing, replaced the rotor and distributor cap, but it is still doing it.  What can the problem be?

Answer: If you have not changed the spark plug and plug wires, you should change them as they break down over time.  Also, check the fuel pump pressure and amp draw.

Question: 1998 Chevy Astro mileage: 79,000.  Recently has developed a "cold start" problem.  Starter turns engine but does not fire until battery is almost dead.  Only a problem when engine has not run for a few hours.  Quite possibly temperature-related, as cold mornings seem to be worst.  Had local shop do complete tune-up, including plugs, wires, and fuel injector cleaner.  No help.  They then replaced (after fuel pressure testing) a very expensive "octopus" component of the fuel injection system.  Still no good.  Shop mechanics not know what to try next.  Any ideas?  Thanks.

Answer: Your stalling problem may be cause by the fuel pump.   Replacing it and the fuel filter should fix your problem.

Question: 1999 Chevy Astro Van mileage: 64,000. I am at a loss here in more ways than one. Overall, my 1999 Chevy Astro mini conversion isin great shape.  I take care of it, regular3,000-mile oil changes, etc.  My issues: First, I have had an intermittent problem for the last year shifting from park.  I have just replaced the second key ignition switch and had it to a mechanic twice in the last week. It starts every time. I apply the brake and sometimes it will not shift out of park (shift lever locks up).  After 5-30 minutes of wiggling the key/pressing the brake, it will allow me to shift out of park. I checked around the steering column under the dash, located a round black cylinder, and discovered it gets hot.  I think the problem is some sort of switch or solenoid that allows the shift selector to shift after the brake is applied.  When it does shift, I can hear something engage, when it does not, I don't here anything.  Help?  Second, maybe you have a suggestion for me as recourse.  In the last 3 weeks, I have spent nearly $950.00, some on normal tune-up and brakes (rotor) I did myself, and most on major repair.  The shocks were bad and the tires were (cupped) ruined, due to the idler arms.  This was confirmed by two different repair facilities.  I discovered my extended warranty ran out 45 days prior.   Three weeks ago, I replaced tires/shocks and idler arms again. The idler arms were replaced at a GM Dealer by a Goodwrench mechanic 18 months prior under warranty.  I contacted the dealer and GM, neither would do anything for me, citing 12 months 12,000 miles warranty on their idler arms.  The road hazard warranty would not replace my tires due to damage caused by the idler arms.  The 70,000 Mile Goodyear Regatta tires had around 40,000 miles on them.  I do not know of any one replacing idler arms every 18 months.

Answer: Test the brake light switch for 12 volts in and out with your foot on the brake.  If you do have 12 volts in and out, then the problem is likely the solenoid on the shift selector.   As for the idler arms, we have not heard of anyone else with similar problems.  If you have oversized tires and wheels, it will accelerate the wear.

Question: 1999 Chevy Astro v6 mileage: 80,000. Hi, every time I use the blinker (left or right), the windshield wipers come on!  How do you fix that?

Answer: You will need to replace the switch that controls both the turn signals and the wipers.

Question: 1997 Chevy Astro AWD mileage: 94,000.  A front brake hose leaked all the brake fluid from the master cylinder. After repairing it, the parking brake light and anti-lock warning light remain on.  I have disconnected the battery to try to reset the computer and checked the switch on the parking brake and the inline switch by the master cylinder.   The brakes work fine but the lights remain on.

Answer: The ABS (antilock braking system) light will “illuminate” when there is a malfunction in the brake system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer. The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component.  Because the ABS light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.

Question: 2003 Chevy Astro all wheel Drive mileage: 210,000.  At about 45,000 miles the all wheel drive system seems to bind up when making a slow tight turn, more so in reverse. On gravel, backing up slow, tight turn, the rear wheels want to skid like maybe the rear end is not slipping. I have serviced the front axles, changed the all wheel drive transfer case fluid and the rear end grease.  Nothing seems to improve the binding.  How would I check out the rear end to see if it is the problem?

Answer: Try changing the fluid in the differential. Be sure the new fluid is the one recommended for your van.

Question: 1990 Chevy Astro mileage: 112,758. My 90 Astro with antilock brakes and hydro-boost during medium to hard braking at high speeds makes a strange noise (sounds like tires on a steel deck bridge).  The brake pedal is being forced up against your resistance. If you let up off the pedal, and reapply it will generally pull left or right.  I replaced the hydro-boost with a used unit. The problem still persists.  No problems with power steering, as I understand they operate off of the same pump. Any suggestions on how to solve this problem?

Answer: From what you describe, you appear to be having problems with the anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Question: 1996 Astro mileage: 154,000.  I blew a head gasket.  But, I was wondering if I should just buy a new engine or get the other one fixed. The van has a lot of miles on it.

Answer: With 154000 miles on your engine, you may be better off to buy a new engine.

Question: 1988 Chevrolet Astro Van mileage: 247,000. It's time to replace the engine in my 1988 Astro. I bought a 4.3 V6 that has come out of a 1991 S-10. When I dismantled it to get it ready to be rebuilt, I found it has a balance shaft in it. Is it true this motor cannot be used? I've been told that the computer will read the engine wrong or something to that effect? Please tell me if this is true or what will have to be done to make it accept the change.

Answer: You should be able to use the 1991 S-10 Engine. One thing that must be done is to remove casting "bumps" on the bottom of the intake manifold of the 1988 engine. They hit inside the 91-lifter gallery. All of the sensors and accessories, etc., will fit. The computer system should work okay.

Question: 1995 Chevy Astro Van mileage: 75,000. After driving the vehicle for about seven hours of stop & go (it is a delivery van), I left it running in a driveway. While walking back to the van, it stalled. It never restarted. It will crank. You can here the fuel pump. The fuel filter is new. The gas tank is full. A mechanic checked a couple of things including checking for spark. He can't figure it out. Any suggestions?

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, re-scan computer for trouble codes.

Question: 1997 Chevy Astro van, 20,000 miles. Where is the fuel filter located and how does it come out.

Answer: The fuel filter is located on the frame rail on the driver’s side midway between the front and rear wheels. Standard wrenches should work to change it.

Question: I found the fuel filter after I traced the line. How do I get to the fuel pump if it is connected to the fuel tank and is it a lot of work?

Answer: Your fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank. To replace the fuel pump the fuel tank must be removed from the car. Yes, it can be a lot of work without the proper tools and experience.

Question: How do I check and adjust the timing on 1990 Chevrolet Astro 6 cylinders 4.3 liter

Answer: Disconnect the tan/black wire EST (electronic spark timing) by-pass connector located near the heater housing in the engine compartment on the S/T series, or near the distributor on all other V-6 models. Do not disconnect the four- (4) wire connector at distributor. Connect the timing light to the No. 1 spark plug wire. Check timing and adjust to "0" degrees BTDC. With the engine off, reconnect the EST by-pass connector and clear the ECM trouble codes by disconnecting the battery.

Question: 2000 Chevy Astro van, rear wheel drive, 6 cylinders, with 57,000 miles I'm having idler arm problems with my 2000 Chevy astro van, well not so much idler arm problems but the frame into which the idler arm is bolted to. The idler arm has fallen off and has taken its particular piece of steel frame real estate with it. Now my idler arm is hanging down resting on my tie rod, and a big ripping hole where it was once bolted to. My question is what Happened!!! has anyone else had this problem?

Answer: What I would do is take it to a frame shop and see what your options are. For example, they may be able to patch the hole and drill holes through it to re- attach the idler arm. ( I recommend replacing the arm before attaching). Just be sure to have the alignment checked after the repair is made. good luck.....

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