1997 Chevy Venture engine starts sometimes

PONS

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Sometimes my van goes completely dead on me. Not even the interior lights work. I can't even get the engine to crank. I replaced the battery, figuring it was old and probably died in the cold weather.

The van started right up with the new battery. The next morning, my wife went to use it and got no electricity at all, just like before. I disconnected the positive battery terminal and noticed no sparks when the cable came in contact with the terminal. After a few seconds of tapping the cable against the terminal, I saw sparks again. I reconnected the battery, and the car started right up.

The same thing happened the next day, and I had to disconnect the battery and reconnect it to get it to start. It's hit or miss with this. Sometimes it starts right up. Sometimes it goes completely dead.

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

If and when you remove a battery terminal, use the negative! Doing it your way can short electrical components! Check ALL the connectors you can find, especially the one to the PCM, GM had problems with thier connections! Also check the connector and the back floor behind the drivers seat, a connector goes thru at that location. Check the pins for pushing out and the female end for spread contacts. Remove Neg(-) before checking connections!