[mikeeFBBB]

Hi guys,

Wondering if anyone can help.

I just bought a lovely 1995 Chevy astro van off a good friend. Trouble is when its not driven for several days, the battery dies and needs to be started with jump leads.

Anyone else suffer from the same problem and whats the best solution for this?

Also, the electric windows take forever to go back up once down. You have to literally keep pushing the button and it goes back up a bit by bit each time. Very annoying. I'm guessing its a dodgy electrics connection?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mikee

 

[Big_kid]

My 95 did/does the same. I found that if I leave the dome light switch (the one above the radio) in the off position that the battery is fine. I removed a bunch of electrical junk a p/o had installed (and left bare wires all over the place) but I've not tried leaving the switch in the "door open" position to see if it still dies.

Welcome aboard!

 

[mikeeFBBB]

Thanks big kid!

I'll give that a try as well and hope that its OK. I'm looking into getting a battery isolator switch for it but have no idea what kind I need as there are so many. Or does it not matter?

I'm putting it in for a service this Friday which is costing me £170 + VAT then whatever the badboy needs on top. I'm starting to feel the burn in my pocket already but hey...if it was easy then everyone would have 1.

I'm based in the South of London. Is anyone else here from London?

If anyone has any tips on keeping this beast well maintained etc it would be hugely appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[AstroAustin]

Silly question but... Have you had the battery tested?

 

[Big_kid]

Silly question but... Have you had the battery tested?

D'OH!!! :doh: How'd I miss THAT one??!!?!?! I just replaced my neighbor's battery because of a dead cell too...
I hadn't finished my coffee yet when I posted that. Yeah... that's it!

 

[mikeeFBBB]

No I didnt as my friend I bought it off did say that there was an issue and that the battery wouldn't hold its charge but I didn't think it would be that bad to fix. I had to jump start the van 3 times 2day which was annoying. I've booked it in for a service this Friday so hopefully it'll be OK after that.

Do u reckon a long drive would help it? I'm planning to do a 100 mile journey in it tomorrow but I'm worried that it wont start after I fill up the tank.

I've only read good reviews about these vans before buying it but after browsing through this forum there seems to be loads of issues with peoples vans which leads me to have a slightly different perception of owning one now.

Saying that, it is a great van regardless.

 

[Matrixx]

Hi mikeeFBBB
Any vehicle on the road today have their quirks about them, whether minor or major. I wouldn't get discouraged mikeeFBBB it's best to know what your dealing with than not knowing at all. The combined knowledge base of memebers here on this site, makes it one of the best to discuss astro/safari van topics. A lot are personal experiences which you can't buy or train for. I grab as much as I can on things I don't know to better myself with knowledge with the aastro/safari's.

Just keep on top of the maintenance end of it, and you should get 500,000 on it as well.

-Oil Changes - Lubrication - Front and Rear Axle Fluid Level and Seal Checks: Every 3,000 Miles (5,000 KM) or every 3 Months
-Transmission Oil Change: Every 15,000 miles or (25,000 KM)
-Coolant Change: Every 150,000 miles (240,000 KM) or every 5-years (I do mine every 2 years)

Here, This may Help:

 

[spongebob218]

Defineitely get the battery checked first. If it is five years or older, I would replace it anyway. Make sure all the connections are clean. Check the main ground cables for tightness and corrosion.

If you can, find a DVOM that can measure amps, preferably one that can handle 10 or 20 amp fused. Disconnect the negitive cable from the battery and place it inline between the cable and the battery negative terminal. DO NOT START THE VAN OR TURN THE KEY ON, it will draw too much power and pop the fuse. Leave it sit for a few moments and see what the reading is. If it reads less than .050A, the draw is not excessive. If you do have parasitc draw more than .050A, start pulling fuses one at a time to find the circuit containing the draw. If you find a circuit with a draw, you will need to work your way through to pinpoint the draw. At this point you will need wiring schematics.

Hope this helps.

 

[mikeeFBBB]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Really appreciate it!

So I took it to 'American auto parts' near me and turns out my van needs:

1. battery £ 132.05+vat
2. rh rear seal £ 9.79+vat
3. brake shoes £ 57.21+vat
4. antifreeze (there is water in cooling system) £ 26.55+vat
5. two idler arms £ 47.65+vat each
6. rh lower ball joint £ 32.20+vat
7. drag link £ 55.51+vat

labour for all is 6.5 hours (£ 60.00+vat per hour)

Daaaaaaaaamn! I feel crippled & heart broken!

What a f*cker!

There's me thinking these vans are supposed to be reliable! I've had mine for 3 days and its already cost me an arm & a leg!

What next?!

 

[spongebob218]

Must not have been that good of a friend.

 

[mikeeFBBB]

Hey spongebob,

I thought that too but he is only charging me £1,600 for it and I can pay him whenever I have the cash. So although it needs the work, your not gona pick one of these puppies up for that price. So in theory the van has cost me £2790 total which is still pretty good.