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Chevy Van Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1994 Chevy Full size van mileage:  50,000. Changed plugs, wires, pvc valve, fuel filter, and oil last month. Plugs I took out were gapped wrong (according to manual), so I gapped to specifications. Car ran fine, but burned a lot of gas. I asked the previous owner, he said that the shop that rebuilt the engine had gapped the plugs before, and that it ran fine. I removed all of the plugs, regapped to previous gap, and put them back in. It ran fine, until the weather changed. The temperature dropped about 40 degrees, and the car ran rough, then died while my wife was driving it. She got it started, and it seemed ok. I drove it later that day, and it seemed sluggish. The next morning (it snowed) I started without problems, let it warm up for a minute or two, then drove it down the street, where it died. I tried restarting it, but couldn't. It turns over; I can smell gas and see it pumping into the carburetor. I pulled a plug wire, and have a spark. I replaced the rotor and distributor cap, and had the coil and ignition module tested. I pulled the plug, and it was soaked with gasoline. I tried a couple more, and they are all soaked. The only thing I can think of to do next is to take it to someone to fix, but was hoping you might have a suggestion. Any help would be great. Tom

Answer: Install the same kind of spark plugs that were installed at the factory and gapped at what the manufacturer recommends. Your carburetor may need adjustment especially the choke. Pay special attention to the choke pull-off.

Question: 1999 Chevy van mileage: 29,000.  Can’t find the transmission control module.  The book said right kick panel not there.                       

Answer: You are looking for the power train (transmission) control module and it is located under the right side of the dash.

Question: 2003 Chevy g20 van mileage: 35,000.  I always pull the battery and store the van for MN winters - this time when I got it out I have no speedometer and the computer is in limp mode - nothing above 2nd gear - everything worked when stored for winter - where can I trace the connections for the speed sensor

Answer: We do not think your problem is the speed sensor for the transmission.  Check the ignition switch, as it may be faulty.

Question:   1990 Chevrolet G20 Van  mileage: 42,000.  I have reviewed all of your questions/answers to see if anyone had a similar problem.   Found one that was close but not exact.   The car will start and run for about 20 seconds at normal start idle speed.  It then idles down too far and dies.  I was sure it was fuel pump/filter related so replaced both.  No help.  It will not restart unless you turn the key off and then on to start.  It acts like it resets a relay.  This was a sudden event.  There are no error codes in the computer.  I have checked coil/cap/plugs/wires and all seems fine.  I have spark, fuel and compression are ok too.  I also suspected a vacuum leak but the lines seem ok.  It ran just perfect before this and sounds normal during the 20 seconds it does run.   This one really has me stumped.  I appreciate any advice you offer.

Answer: Your symptoms indicate that your computer is failing.

Question: 1995 Chevrolet Van.  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: 1990 Chevrolet APV I have a 1990 Chevy Lumina van.  I knew it was one quart low on transmission fluid, so went to the gas station to put fluid in.  Got fluid in checked level everything good, so get in van to drive away - put in gear van jumps and stalls out.  Then I tried to go foreword – same thing, jumps and stalls.  No indication when I stopped that it was going to do that.  The van runs very good it will idle, but soon as you put in gear, it will stall out.  I think, maybe it’s the transmission locked up, but it will roll after stalling out and start right back up as soon as you hit the key.  PLEASE HELP!

Answer: Your car has a lock-up torque converter in the transmission.  It locks-up only in high gear.  It is supposed to disengage at lower speeds.  Yours is not disengaging.  There is probably a valve in the transmission “hanging up”.  Having the transmission serviced with new fluid may help the problem.   The cost is approximately $75.00 (Southern California Prices).  Next step, the valve body will have to be removed and cleaned paying special attention to the TCC solenoid.   The cost is approximately $200.00.  You may need to replace the torque converter clutch solenoid in the transmission.

Question: 1996 Chevy 1/2 Ton Van, mileage: 155,000. I have a leak in the heater core. It leaks into the passenger compartment. What needs to be removed to get to it and repair or replace it? It has front and rear Air Conditioning.   

Answer: Replacing the heater core on your van is no easy job. The entire dash must be removed. Next, remove the heater housing and remove the heater core.

Model / Chevy / Van

Replace Air Filter

Check Engine Light