Not the Truck, but stupid Van - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

72TNTSkidoo · 01-08-2007, 04:45 PM

Well with the new programs we started, we purchased two vans to tranport the clients to differnt locations. The van that is giving us the problem is this 1998 Chevy Astro. Its a very nice van, extremely comfortable, lots of room, and AWD. Anyway, there first thing to go on it was the tranny. We got it fixed but it still slams into every gear. The second problem was it was leaking tranny oil. Had to get that taken care of. The sliding door has fallen off twice, and had a month ago finally got it fixed for the second time, new tires, inspection ect, and we were ready for this piece of crap to just run. Month ago, the alternator blew. This weekend, I loaded the van up on a trailer and hauled it to a Service shop to get the alternator replaced. I get a call up today and it turns out it ate the alternator again! What could be causing this? Bad battery, terminals, wires, ignition, its ridiculous. Its just a van, and we dont want to invest to much money into.

IndianRvrShiver · 01-08-2007, 05:24 PM

I need to know who does all your work...........just so I don't accidently take my rig to him for repairs!!

You said you got the tranny fixed, but it still leaks & still slams gears!! WTF!!!!!!! Take it back until it's fixed correctly!! Isn't there a warranty?? He replaced the alternator & the new one crapped out before you picked it up!!??? WTF!!!!!!! Don't sound like it's fixed to me!! Tell him to call you when it works right!! Hope he isn't expecting you to pay for any more than one alternator!! I just don't get it!!

I had my 4L60E trans rebuilt (prolly same one you have) 2years ago; cost me $1500, but it was warrated for 2 years/24000 miles. After the rebuild, i had a minor issue with the way it was shifting & he immediately sent a roll-back truck to pick it up to take back to his shop (at his expense!!). Turned out the issue was with the engine, not the trans!! To this day, it runs great!!

badbrad · 01-08-2007, 05:34 PM

you just have to find a good mechanic. some are sh!tty others are just great.

**smallengineguy** · 01-08-2007, 09:21 PM

Ditto that! Your mechanic sucks!!!!

letitsnow · 01-08-2007, 11:00 PM

i have issues with alternators going a lot too, but i don't think it's their fault, the bearings just don't like track outings.

you need to start doing some of your own work, alternators are cheap and easy to replace on chevy's.

mx and sled 41 · 01-09-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by letitsnow

i have issues with alternators going a lot too, but i don't think it's their fault, the bearings just don't like track outings.

you need to start doing some of your own work, alternators are cheap and easy to replace on chevy's.

altenators in vans are not very easy to change... their usually underneath a whole bunch of stuff, and no room to get at... on my truck on the other hand... its right there and it would be easy to change... but not the astro van he's talking about.

letitsnow · 01-09-2007, 02:19 PM

i assumed it had the 4.3 which is like a smallblock and i assumed that it would be similar to MY smallblock in the camaro. 10min to change it.

mx and sled 41 · 01-09-2007, 02:37 PM

it probably does have the 4.3, wich is the same as my truck... but my truck also has ALOT more hood and room in there... since a van doesnt have a very long hood, most things are jammed in underneath... and some you actually have to get at from the inside of the van in the centre of the seats...

72TNTSkidoo · 01-09-2007, 03:19 PM

like you wouldnt beleive, absolutely no room in there. I was going to put it in myself, but i opened that hood and said "forget it". I prob have 5-10 mechanics I go to. I bounce around because we cant seem to find one that can last with us. We have alot of vehicles, 8 or so, and once we start bringing them to them, they get overwhelmed, start thinking that because they know how many we have, that they can take all the time in the world to fix it, and never goes well. I have found my new place for the truck, been going there since the summer, and thats the dealer itself. All the other vehicles are usually Sullivan Tire, VIP. Anyway, we didnt have the tranny work done for the van, the previous owner did who happen to be our aunt, and we brought it back the second time under our name, and its still bad. Prob needs to go back, just never have the time. Anyway, I got the van going again. Turns out there was some miscommunication over the phone. The van was turning over, but it wasnt getting fuel. When I got down there and the key, it was spinning right up, which was good, and I then thought it was prob the fuel pump, but I could hear it running in the back. So I just held the gas down, and started up. There was just some dead gas in that tank from sitting for 2 months. Ran some 93 octane through her and shes all set. Hopefully that will be it lol.