1999 Chevrolet Venture: check engine light

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Engine · 84,000 miles · NJ · crash

I have had numerous problems with my 1999 chevrolet venture which my husband purchased new for me in december 1998. Last year I experienced problems with the engine light staying on, coolant level constantly dropping no matter how often we added dex cool, and then in the spring I had to have the intake manifold replaced due to engine oil in the coolant. He told me he has had several customers with chevy venture and olds silhouettes with the same problem. Just a couple of months after this repair which cost me over $1,000.00 my car suddenly stalled in heavy traffic on route 22 on my way to work. I managed to get it to the shoulder before it stopped rolling despite losing power and called my mechanic. He towed me to his shop and has informed me that my camshaft is broken and he has never heard of anything like it before! Well, after finding this site while researching what to do about this problem, I found this site and was shocked to see all the same complaints and since at least 2001 chevrolet has known about these problems and didn't care about their customers enough to warn them or offer to replace the source of the problem before we had major engine damage like mine. I am lucky I was not killed on the highway by a truck rear ending me or something! I am a single mom with 4 kids and I still owe my mechanic over $800.00 for my last repairs and now this! No way can I afford to replace the engine! Besides, another venture engine would just have more problems! And now I'm reading about other problems like air bags not working and windows exploding and transmission failures, tail lights and electrical problems! These cars are death traps! And most people who purchase mini vans have young children! Gm should be ashamed!

Filed Nov 18, 2004 · Fuel system · OH

I have a 1999 chevrolet venture that has experiened 6 clogged fuel injectors. It clogges so often the check engine light is always on.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 49,994 miles · CA

Transmission failure. Computer diagnostic at chevrolet dealer indicates internal failure. Estimated cost of repair is $3000. The van shaked moderately during normal driving and the "check engine light" turned on. When the minivan was restarted (about 8 hours) the "check engine light" was off and the minivan was back to normal. However, the shaking symptom would reappear a week or two later. I have also noticed occasional hard transmission shifts during normal driving.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 46,298 miles · AL

Failure of intake manifold gasket resulted in coolant leaking into engine causing \\gumming\\. This caused cam shaft/engine to seize. Subsequent \\knocking sound\\ and check engine light. Seizing engine simulated a rear-end collision as described by my wife who was driving at the time. She was picking up our kids from school at the time. After 3 trips to the service dealership and 4 weeks engine required replacement.

Filed Nov 20, 2003 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

I have a 1999 chevy venture. I have had nothing but problems with the injectors causing the check engine light to come on. This happens every couple of months. I also have a problem with the intake on the same vehicle. It is the 3.4 engine and there are a lot of people with the same problem. I feel that a recall needs to be required to fix this. After spending thousands of dollars on a vehicle is should be right or at least fixed on good faith.

Filed Feb 18, 2003 · Electrical · TX · fire · 1 injury

Van caught on fire driver's side rear (by the gas tank) while we were travelling about 65 MPH, at night time, on a crowded freeway. There was no warning, the only indication I had that something was wrong was that the ABS light came on. Other people on the freeway were honking etc because they could see what I could not. By the time I got down to about 40 MPH, all the lights went out. I got it over to the side of the road. Smoke filled the passenger compartment. We got out and ran. A wrecker driver put out most of the fire before the fire dept. Got there. I had the van picked up and brought home. I contacted general motors and asked that they come take a look at this thing. They declined to be responsible and refused to send anyone. I took it to an electrical shop and they determined that the fire started at the plug in the back where you can plug in a tv or whatever. I was told that this couldn't/shouldn't happen but it did. I have had other electrical as well as mechanical problems with this thing. I bought it new, no one else has ever driven it so I know the history. I had the wiring redone bypassing that plug but I now have a check engine, pass key & airbag llights coming on. The vehicle is totalled to me as both I and my kids are afraid to ride in it. Unfortunately I still have to drive it some because it is our only vehicle.