Chevy & GMC Vans

OK, so the topic is somewhat misleading. But it DOES appear that something is amiss.

Problems:

1. The door chime doesn't when the key is in the ignition, but does when the key is in my pocket.
2. The radio cuts in and out when just starting.
3. The Air Bag idiot light flashes intermittently.
and
4. The turn signals don't work when #3 happens.

Help would definitely be appreciated.

Just to keep it simple, and I just went through a mess of electrical on my new van, so this might help.

Check the battery under load.
Check all, or as many, ground as you possibly can.
Have alternator checked

Why?

I had a problem with radio turning off when starting the van, rolling windows down, hitting brakes, turning headlights on, or going from park to reverse. The battery that was in the van seemed to be good as it would start the van up on first try, every time. the previous owner changed the battery cables and battery to top post, when it's supposed to be side post.

Today I took the battery cables and battery out of my old van and installed them in the new one. I was a little scared of doing all this, but went ahead and tried anyway. Well, it paid off good. I can now do everything, almost at the same time, and not have any voltage drop.

I also found out there wasn't a ground cable going from chassis to engine block (chassis right next to radiator). I replaced that.

So, at least for now, everything is fixed. The battery that was in there was good until it had a serious load on it, then it dropped to 7 volts (dead as hell).

This might be the same thing going on with your van.

You might also want to check the big bulkhead connector at the firewall. Could be loose or have corrosion in it.

Pulled out the Fluke and the battery, after an overnight rest, showed 12.2 VDC. Took it to the jobber and he said nothing wrong with the battery except needing a charge. The terminals are still factory side-terminal, except the wunderkind that installed the scooter lift cut the insulating boot to attach the power leads. Idiot should have attached the leads directly to chassis ground and the fuse block. I'll put it on the trickle tonight. He even went so far as to test the charging system and pronounced it hale and hearty. I guess I'll pull the breaker for the scooter lift when I'm not using it and see if that helps. When the weather cooperates (ours right now is very fickle), I'll check the bulkhead connector.

I'll take it out on the interstate in the morning and give it a good run; maybe that'll help, too.

On the same note, is the fuse block located just outside, right on the firewall or inside, requiring a gymnast to check it out?

Well, the battery registered 11.94 VDC this morning, so I took the old girl for an interstate run of approximately 20 miles. Along the outbound leg, she coughed and hiccuped a few times. On the way back, she behaved quite nicely.

Maybe just blowing the crud out helped?

But, then again, the SES code showed P0135. Is Bank 1 on the right or left side of the engine?

The fuse block is bolted right to the firewall but is very easy to access. There are even power studs to connect accessories to, like your scooter power.

Bank 1 is left side.

The rep that the VA sent down to examine and repair the scooter said that he'll relocate the power connections from the side terminals to the other connections when he installs the interior scooter lift. He also said he'd repair and reinforce the damage done to the "frame" when he returns. I've about one more week to wait.

Is it possible that the van's brain has slipped a disc? Hiccuped and not recovered? Had a brain fart?

Something else suggested to me today. Could it be possible that the ignition switch is headed south? I jiggled the key and power was restored to the radio. At $255, I'm a bit leary in replacing this switch.

Just verified the gremlin problem with the stealershop. It is indeed the ignition switch. Now, where to find the scratch.

That's always the hardest part for an expensive item!

Considering that I have a fine to pay the city (no insurance), that is indeed a major problem.

Turns out that the gremlin was a bad chassis ground. The stealership (through intervention from Chevrolet corporate) did a thorough evaluation and found that the chassis ground was intermittent, but to the point of abject failure. The wrench did a marvelous job of fixing the ground and no more gremlins! Oh, BTW, cost = $0.00. That's right, ZERO dollars.