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Chevy Venture dies
I have a 2004 Chevy Ventura mini van. It dies a lot usually when driving but sometimes when ideling. I had a local mechanic check it once when it wouldn't start and he found it was getting no spark. He replaced the electronic ignition module and the crankshaft sensor but this did not fix the problem. He checked an air flow sensor and determined that was not the problem. It usually starts after 5 to 40 attempt to restart, except once it didn't start for two hours. The Chevy Dealership can find nothing wrong with it. It has a new battery. It has about 100,000 miles. Today it died five times in twenty minutes. Please help me. Thank you.
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Hi there,
My friend, I am sorry to tell you that you have a vehicle that is legendary for problems like what you are describing. In fact, it is so famous for this this that I can't believe the dealer didn't help you. The only thing I can think is that the mechanic was new there. :-(
The reason that these things are such a beast to get taken care of is that they are prone to several problems; all of which have very similar symptoms.
First things first. If there is another dealership within driving range, I would take it to them, and ask to speak to the senior mechanic. Ask him if he has experience with the legendary runs/dies starts/dies problem these have. If he says no, then I guess I would start calling independent mechanics and asking the same question until you strike gold.
One of the single most hateful things that can be wrong is the intermittent failure of the PASSlock security system that GM uses. You know that chip in the key routine? Well, when it fails it causes problems that are hard to diagnose since it rarely shows a diagnostic code. So the mechanic hooks up to the computer, and it is showing that nothing is wrong... even though you and I both know there is an issue no matter WHAT the computer says.
The problem is so severe that a genius by the name of Luke Lambruschini built a module that bypasses the entire system. The only problem is that the 2004 Venture uses a different system which he doesn't have a kit for. If it turns out to be that this is indeed part of your problem, then you might write to him and ask him if it would be possible for him to design one for you and all the other people stuck with this problem.
Here is a link to his site:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
My understanding is that the security failure will not cause it to die while you are driving, but could cause the repeated inability to start it.
So, what could be causing the death while driving situation? Here are the things that spring to mind:
1) Fuel pressure regulator. (Have the rest of the fuel system checked while you are at it.)
2) I know you had someone check the mass airflow sensor, but I had one on a Pontiac that was intermittent. Sometimes it would work fine and not show as a failed part... and other times it would be just like you describe.
3) TPM/TPS (throttle position sensor)
4) IAC valve (Idle air control)
5) The ECM and BCM (body control module) talk to each other. If the signal is interrupted all kinds of NOT fun things can happen.
6) Camshaft position sensor (You mentioned the crank sensor had been changed, so this is another logical step since they both feed the same computer the data it needs to decide when to allow ignition to work.)
I am sure there are other items I am unaware of, but you have a lot of company in this situation so I would like to point the way to some of your new friends:
There is a Yahoo group for owners(victims?) of Chevy Venture or Lumina and Pontiac Montana or Transport mini vans:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
... posting there will let you hear other people's experiences with this as well.
If you would like to have a look at what else is on the internet already about this frightfully common problem:
You will quickly see you aren't alone. Pages and pages of people having issues similar to your own.
Good luck!
P.S. If you wouldn't mind, would you please tell me, in feedback, which part(s) were actually causing your particular problem? Just so I know for the future when someone asks again. Thank you.
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If it was a much older car I would say it sounded like a vapor lock. Ask a mechanic to check the vacuum system and replace the vacuum canister.
In today's cars, the fuel is pumped by the vacuum system and if there is no vacuum or there is a collapse in the system there is no fuel pumped, the care stalls. After time the the collapse loses the suction that caused it, the car starts and works until the system collapse again.
If it is a weak hose or a bad canister it is hard to trace as the car operates properly for the mechanic.
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