2003 GMC Savana 3500 problems

Filed Mar 21, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 58,500 miles · TN · fire

Van was being driven early morning for about 30 minutes. No rain, 45 degree outside temp., headlights on. Driver first noticed dash lights flicker & alternator gauge showing a discharge, then these issues returned to normal. The van continued being driven for 15 minutes to destination w/o further issues. Upon departing van, driver noticed unusual smell and was told by another person that smoke and fire were coming from underneath the van at about midpoint. Upon inspection the driver saw flames emanating from said point underneath the van and liquids on the ground. Emergency call to the fire department was made & a third person brought a fire extinguisher to the scene. Fire was extinguished but reignited as the firemen arrived to complete the job. Vehicle not severely damaged and no injuries. Vehicle was towed for inspection. Discovered the alternator charging wire to the battery had not originally been secured or shielded properly and was rubbing on a bolt head securing two A/C charging tubes. Over an extended time the wires insulation wore through & voltage was supplied to the A/C freon transfer tubes running from the left front side to the rear of the van where they crossed over to the driver side at about midpoint on the body. The cross tubes are between the vehicles body & long shield. This is where the positively charged rear A/C transfer tubes made contact with the negative/grounded rear heater transfer tubes, sparked & ignited the combustible fluids within the freon. The alternator charging wire was repaired, shielded & secured. The damaged rear transfer, crossover A/C/heater tubes set was ordered for replacement. Rear heater tubes were bypassed and the vehicle is being driven without A/C or rear heat until the parts arrive. No apparent damage to the charging system, A/C or rear A/C/heater is suspected at present. Confirmation will occur when part is installed and A/C is recharged, coolant system is serviced and tested.

Filed Jun 11, 2008 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana 3500. The contact noticed that the horn in the vehicle sounded automatically while parked. In an attempt to stop the noise, someone pressed the horn to counteract the failure. Almost immediately, smoke began pouring from the hood and the police department was called. The vehicle went up in flames within a matter of minutes. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. At the time of the complaint, the contact's insurance company was assessing the damage to determine if the vehicle was destroyed. The entire front end was burned. The current and failure mileages were approximately 89,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2006 · Brakes, Suspension · 70,115 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH under normal road conditions, the front wheel bearings froze up, and the tires did not turn. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who replaced the front wheel bearings and the brake rotors. Updated 02/12/07.