hello,
Went out to move the van this morning but it wouldnt start. I have power from the bat so im guessing its the starter thats dead. I get no cranking, no indication that anything down there is working, only this slight of what sounds like a mini gear moving and then clicking but very faint.
Im reading up on doing the job myself, 2 bolts and a wire seems simple enough for me.
My question is, where can I jack the front of the van? the van sits so high I cant get enough clearance to slide under there.
I know I can use the front crossmember but I rather lift just the side I need. the side rails are so high. i cant the the jack to lift barely enough.
can I remove the wheel? will I have enough room to reach? any tips?
I have a 1987 cl 4.3 v6
Dead Starter
First off, are you absolutely sure that the battery is okay? You might want to try jump starting the van first before you do anything else. Is the ground good to the engine? I've had trouble with that before.
Last time I had the starter off my 89, I used my floor jack and placed its pad under the crossmember. After I got the van jacked up high enough (both front wheels off the ground), I put wood blocks under the front wheels and then lowered the jack so that the wheels were supporting the weight of the van. I laid down a large piece of corrugated cardboard, and slithered underneath the beast. This is the way I usually work under the van-- front wheels on blocks supporting the vehicle.
You may prefer to use a creeper while under the van, but I gave up on those a long time ago because the van has to be that much higher off the ground to allow for creeper clearance. That and any heavy wrenching while on a creeper means that you have to fight the creeper to keep it from moving.
Be careful of the weight of the starter once you get its bolts loose. Also, it seems to me at least that the wires to the starter are never long enough to allow getting at their connections easily while balancing the starter in your hand.
Let us know how the repair turns out.
Last time I had the starter off my 89, I used my floor jack and placed its pad under the crossmember. After I got the van jacked up high enough (both front wheels off the ground), I put wood blocks under the front wheels and then lowered the jack so that the wheels were supporting the weight of the van. I laid down a large piece of corrugated cardboard, and slithered underneath the beast. This is the way I usually work under the van-- front wheels on blocks supporting the vehicle.
You may prefer to use a creeper while under the van, but I gave up on those a long time ago because the van has to be that much higher off the ground to allow for creeper clearance. That and any heavy wrenching while on a creeper means that you have to fight the creeper to keep it from moving.
Be careful of the weight of the starter once you get its bolts loose. Also, it seems to me at least that the wires to the starter are never long enough to allow getting at their connections easily while balancing the starter in your hand.
Let us know how the repair turns out.
Rob Shaver
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
Yeah tried giving it a jump but to no avail.
I'm going to try the wooden blocks like you suggested, I was woundering if I could jack it right under where the coil springs sit?
thanks for the tip SafariRob.
I will post how it all turns out when I try again, the weather isn't playing fair at the moment.
I'm going to try the wooden blocks like you suggested, I was woundering if I could jack it right under where the coil springs sit?
thanks for the tip SafariRob.
I will post how it all turns out when I try again, the weather isn't playing fair at the moment.
87' stro
I see no problem with using a hydraulic jack under the A arm, I've done that many times, too. Not to insult your intelligence, but just be sure that you keep out of the way of things while you position the wood blocks under the lifted tire. After all, we need all the members we can get on this site!
I know where you are coming from concerning the weather; I do all my automotive work out in the driveway, too.
I know where you are coming from concerning the weather; I do all my automotive work out in the driveway, too.
Rob Shaver
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
Do your lights work? if not then remove the batt there is a red cap on the firewall,pop it off and make sure the nut is tight on the stud,I had a no-start prob last week and in my case this was the problem,here's a link to the thread
http://astrosafarivans.net/bb/viewtopic.php?t=989
http://astrosafarivans.net/bb/viewtopic.php?t=989