Chevrolet Astro headlights problems

Filed Oct 7, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 120,000 miles · AZ

Vehicle lost all electrical power to every system that is controlled by the ignition being turned on. Driver was in the process of making a u-turn around a curbing island in the divided traffic road when all electrical was interrupted while the steering wheel was turned all the way to the left. Condition caused steering to become difficult, brake pedal went clear to the floor, air conditioning and radio and headlights all went off. Condition was repeatable with exception of brake pedal, each time steering was turned to the left. Inspection under vehicle found that main power cable is routed across front side of main frame motor mount member. There was a slight curve in the way the wire was routed and each time the steering was turned to the left, the inner tie rod end for the right wheel came in contact with the wire harness. After many miles, the protective cover and then the actual wire insulation was rubbed through. This caused a direct short to ground through the steering parts of all (switched while running) electrical components of the vehicle. Problem was corrected by taping the wire insulation, then taping the protective covering. I then had to fabricate a bracket to screw to the steel crumple member to hold the harness back from the steering linkage.

Filed Apr 2, 2008 · Brakes, Lights · 182,083 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1990 chevrolet astro. While driving 45 MPH, the contact quickly depressed the brake pedal to avoid a deer. The vehicle slowed down in the direction of oncoming traffic. When she depresses the brake pedal, the wheel bearings freeze and the vehicle steers into oncoming traffic. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle had been inspected and repaired. While at the dealer for new tires and an alignment, the contact was informed that the front passenger sway bar failed, and the vehicle should never have passed inspection. The vehicle had no internal lights, but the dealer made the repair. The headlights worked occasionally, but have not been repaired. The contact also stated that she places four quarts of oil in the vehicle every day. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer since the headlights and sway bar failures. The current mileage was 184,583 and failure mileage was 182,083. Updated 10/14/08. *lj the consumer stated the seat belts need to be repaired. Updated 10/15/08.

Filed Oct 8, 2007 · Brakes, Lights · 69,800 miles · NY · crash

1) noticed that my brakes would "pressurize" when coming to a stop as if the anti-lock brakes were activating. I've experienced normal activation before on ice, snow, and loose gravel so I knew what it was doing. It began happening a lot so I took it to the dealer (basil chevrolet, wellsville, ny) on 9/24/07. They replaced the rotors, pads and told me "road test ok...on road test did experience antilock problem. Only once felt - unable to verify". 2) took my van home and was seeing the problem as much if not more so than before. Was quite upset that after spending over $400 dollars on the auto, I still didn't have the problem fixed that I took the van in for. Complained about it to the dealer and they said they could bring it in to "clean the sensors" for me but couldn't get me in until "next week". The very next day the problem arose while parking my vehicle at work. I lost all braking ability and smashed into the rear end of a truck. No damage to the truck at all but extensive damage occurred to the front of my vehicle. Smashed grill, bumper, hood, headlight, and possibly more that I haven't identified yet. Got stopped by the local police for the headlight issue. 3) nothing done yet to fix the problem. I left the van at the aforementioned dealer for repair work on the brakes and the headlight. Hoping to pick it up today.

Filed Feb 10, 2005 · Electrical · 28,200 miles · TN

I only drive this 2002 chevrolet astro van in our small town because I am terrified to drive it on expressways or in heavy traffic because the distributor cap collected moisture and the engine stopped in heavy traffic almost causing terrible accidents three times in the past 8 months. Last week I drove the van into town. I keep a close watch on all the gauges because of the previous problems. When I left the house all the gauges on the dash were working and the battery was between 12-14 volts. I noticed within 5 miles the battery volts were decreasing so I headed for home. By the time I reached home (10 miles all total), the volt meter was in the red zone, all the gauges (except for oil pressure) and speedometer were not working and, I believe, the headlights were out. I pulled the van into the drive and shut it off. I had difficulty opening the door (power locks) to get out. The van would not start again. The van is under warranty so I called courtesy chevrolet who had the van towed in for service. They called me the following monday to tell me they replaced the alternator, computer and battery and the van was ready but they had broken the radio and would replace it on tuesday. I said fine and I would pick it up on wednesday (february 9, 2005). Courtesy chevrolet called me on tuesday and told me not to come on wednesday because the voltage problem was not corrected and they would call me when the van was ready. They called on february 10, 2005 to say the alternator was bad and had been replaced a second time.

Filed Aug 5, 2002 · Electrical · MA · fire

With no one in the car, leftside door, the switch that controls the outside mirrors started on fire. Luckly I was near the car with a friend and saw the running lights on the car flashing and the door switch on fire. By pulling the battery cable off we stopped the fire. The drivers door and switch where burned. The car drove home. On the way to work the next day the car headlights came on and wouldn't go off, then the heat motor started going on and off. I left the car with norwood motors to check out under warranty. My days may be off a day or two, but after a few weeks the service department could not find the problem and just replaced the main wire harness. Because it was a fire the dealership told me it was not covered under warranty, and I had to use my car fire insurance. I am still blowing fuses 20 amp fuses to this day, I am very experience in the field we are talking, I personally I beleive the door locks which are the 20 amp fuse, is back feeding to the low amperage switch and feeding back and burning wires in the harness. I've saved the orginal harness. This problem can be solved with diodes that only allow the current to flow one way. Children in a car with no keys can cause this a condition. This is not a fire accident, it's a wiring design that needs updating. I couldn't get anywhere with chevrolet, or the chevy dealership, because it's a car insurance problem know. So I am working my way insurance departments, and not the chevrolet, which puts me in the middle with no support. I hope you can help. Thanks for your time james reyolds.

Filed Jan 22, 2002 · Body, Brakes · NJ

Brakes have been severly worn out*ak consumer stated the seatbelts, arm rests, console the trim on the seat cushion has torn, there is wind noise from high top roof, window is loose, radio is inoperative, power steering fluid leaking, steering coolumn is making a noise, weatherstrip coming off of back door, tires shake, there is a hard thump whe going over bumps, cigarette lighter is inoperative,transmission shifts hard, pressure guage gets stuck, window gets stuck, there are no low beam lights, windshield wipers are inoperative, door lock do not come all the way up, the front end of vehicle dips, and the shocks feel weak, the lifgate does not stay open, interior lights stay on to long, vehicle remote is inoperative, sliding door is hard to open at times, oil pressure guage reads high, refrigerator not operating from rear socket, heating system is inoperative, battery goes dead.

Filed Dec 19, 2001 · Lights · WI

Vehicle goes over a bump headlights become dim and eventually off. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · Electrical · OH

While having headlights on, radio knobs got hot to the point where consumer burned his finger. But, this only happened when headlights were on. Has not contacted dealer.

Filed Jun 12, 2000 · Lights · CT

The tail lights don't come on when the daytime running lights are on and at time the consumer may forget to turn on head lights therefore driving without rear lights on, poor design. Nlm

Filed Feb 10, 1999 · Lights · AL

Headlights go completely out momentarily when switching from dim to bright (sometimes). Switch has already been replaced twice.