Power steering goes out when driving through a water puddle. Battery light comes on, and electrical system may or may not stop.
1997 Chevrolet Venture electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 53, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While van was parked, all the battery acid leaked out. Acid mostly leaked from positive cable. Battery was replaced by the dealership under warranty. *ak
Car shut down on two separate occassions. Inspection after second failure at auto shop indicated fuel pump wiring harness connector under left middle passenger seat was filled with water and severely corroded, causing electrical short. Similar connector for ABS brakes also shows similar problem, but has not yet failed. Mechanic asked for replacement pigtail. Gm told them only entire harness was available (engine harness etc). Shop cut connector off and spliced wires with solder.
Electrical wires continued to short circuit, resulting in loss of headlights and tail lights. Also, smoke entered into passenger's compartment.
While traveling down a city street, below the posted speed limit, a car pulled into our path. As the driver attempted to activate the horn, she noticed she had to remove one hand from the ring of the steering wheel. She also realized that if impact had occurred, her arm would have sustained tremendous force from the deployment of the airbag. It is our opinion that the horn activation buttons should be on each side of the wheel so the driver can keep both hands on the wheel for evasive manuevers if needed and to keep the hands away from the airbag's deployment zone.
Wiring harness runs through floorboard and underneath carpet, and it is rubbing up against a bolt, causing fire hazard.
Fuel pump failed causing vehicle to shut down.
While driving on highway, I drove over debris (tree limb) on highway while passing semi at approx. 65 MPH. When I ran over branch, all vehicle electrical and braking systems suddenly went off, resulting in loss of lights, power brakes, power steering, signals, and power from engine - a total shutdown. I wrestled van to side of road and had towed to town (while on xmas trip, travelling thru ok). After towed to dealer (closed, at night), I checked under van to find a male and female plug for wiring harness disconnected and hangling down midway from front to rear on drivers side. I plugged two back together and van worked perfectly with no further problems. Altho there were no accidents, injuries, if my wife or daughter had been driving, they probably would not have been able to stay in control, pull van to side of road. I beleive that connector plug of this crucial harness should be better protected from unintended disconnection. I waited this long to report since I reported problem verbally to dealer immediately after trip and just found out this site exists. I just bought a 2000 venture van, and harness/connection has changed slightly but still seems susceptible (I taped connectors to receptacles as a precaution).
Vehicle was turned off for approximately ten minutes when vehicle caught fire underneath around gas tank, fire department was called, and determined the cause to hav ebeen an electrical problem or a pin hole in the gas tank. Please provide any further details.
Abs brake system not working properly. Extended stopping distance. Rapid pulsating noise has changed to long grinding noise when system engages. Feels like wheels lock to long before system engages. Then it feels like wheels lock and unlock to long of a time. Dealer claims nothing is wrong. Horn did not work when turned side-ways or up-side down. Took 4 service calls to correct. Horn works but it is still hard to find the "sweet" spot to activate. Audio tape deck housing heats up to 150 degrees when heater is on for 2 hours. Dealer cannot correct after 4 trys. Auto sliding side door would randomly reopen aafter closing. 4 service calls to correct problem. Clips holding rear brake line came off leaving line dragging on street. Rear brakes grind after car has sat for 1/2 hour. Dealer couldn't fix.
No summary.
Horn failed to activate on several occasions, horn kit installed however continues to fail due to freezing temperatures that causes horn to freeze. Mjs
Fuel gauge failed causing it to read 1/4 tank when vehicle is out of fuel.
Door locks would not release when starting vehicle. Also, horn & lights would go off. Then the locks would go up/down on their own. Have been to dealer several times for locking problem.
I own a 1997 chevrolet venture and the horn has been a serious problem to me from the time I bought the car new. I find it almost impossible to blow the horn, and have several times taken it to chevrolet dealers for repair. They have all told me the same thing: the problem is known to chevrolet, but no solution has been devised for after-market repair. One dealer said that maybe eventually there would be a recall and a "fix" if enough venture owners complain vociferously.
Horn buttons not sensitive to anything less than excessive pressure to operate. Sometimes will not operate at all. Dealer says there is no fix.
Horn sensor is difficult to locate in an emergency. Please give any further details.
Because of the design of the horn pad/button it is very hard to depress. Dealer has been notified about the problem.
Horn requires excessive effort by driver in order for it to blow.
The horn did not operate when the steering wheel was turned upside down or at a 90 degree angle. It only operated wehn the steering wheel was in a normal position. The dealer repaired the problem, and stated that it wa\s improperly designed.
Excessive force to engage horn due to design.
Horn inoperative, consumer claims nothing happens when horn buttons are depressed, design requires excessive force to activate horn.
Horn would not work unless you apply a substancial amount of pressur on the horn pad.
Horn is very difficult to engage due to design.
Horn is difficult to activate when wheels are not in upright position.
Seat belts on the passenger's/drivers/second row, and the last row get stuck, cannot be pull out for buckling up. Sometimes leaving the passengers without protection. Consumer had taken the vehicle five times to dealer for the same problem. In addition, horn extremely hard to beep/alarm system malfunctioned, and second row- rear seat does not lock into place.
Electrical system causing panel to contain hot spots as well as through out vehicle with failures of various components within the instrument panel and engine failure.
Horn does not work properly. Called manufacturer and was informed that horn was working like it should.
Horn button difficult to access in emergency situations.
Horn design makes it difficult to depress buttons without using excessive force.
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