[fatfingerjedi]

My wife and I purchased a used 2003 Safari, in the year 2020. We were considerably satisfied with our purchase. Even though the vehicle was 17 years old, it purred like a kitten. Several times we forgot it was running because it was so quiet. I installed a trailer hitch, and it hauled a 2 ton car hauler trailer I modified to carry all of our worldly possessions. Things were awesome. Then, one day, we had to move. Now we'e been having some slight problems with the idle being too low. So my wife had to sit in the driver's seat and gently press on the gas to keep the van running. This time however, she got distracted and let off of the gas for just a few seconds. The motor shut down. When we tried to restart the van, it cranked, but wouldn't start. I have almost zero experience with automotives. So I panicked. I bought a brand new battery. I changed the oil even though it wasn't due for some time. I bought a brain from Pick & Pull from a 2002 Astro. Nothing to worked. Finally I noticed the security light was on. I thought to myself, "What the #ell?". Come to find out that Safaris are known for failing tdm's. So, our wonderful van which has a great motor in it is going to be headed to the scrap heap because the stupid PCM thinks it's been stolen. Now isn't that a kick in the head. Anybody have any advice or help?
PS, we live out of the van. So if it gets scraped, we'll be truely homeless again.

 

[tinworm]

Have the van towed to a shop for diagnosis of the no start condition. I hope you retained the original "brain" which i assume you mean PCM.

Throwing random parts at the van without diagnosing what the actual problem is will both frustrate and potentially cause new problems. The van is as you say, 17 years old. It will occasionally break down. Contingency planning must be in place for this foreseeable possibility, either learning how to diagnose and repair the van yourself, or being prepared for someone else to do the job. Throwing stuff at it then sending it to the junkyard is the least serviceable path if you are living in it.

There are many diagnostic procedures here to follow, but the first thing i would do is reinstall the original PCM. Go back to how it was when it wouldn't start the first time. Chances are the yard PCM is looking for the security code from the yard van, not yours, causing the security issue on top of the no start. PCMs rarely go bad.

If you were already having to keep the throttle up to keep it running, whatever was causing that problem is likely whats preventing the restart.

 

[MechBob]

"Come to find out that Safaris are known for failing tdm's "
Nope.

GM Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) Relearn Procedures

GM vehicles have three types of Vehicle Thief Deterrent (VTD) systems, each requiring their own set of relearn procedures. Unless these procedures are correctly performed the vehicle will not start after the PCM has been replaced. The three systems are: Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS)...

www.astrosafari.com

 

[AstroWill]

Slow down a little bit and put the parts cannon away.

Is it starting for 2 seconds and then shutting down?

Slap your original PCM back in there(it's so rare that they fail) and you won't even have to do the VTD relearn, otherwise you will HAVE to do the VTD relearn. Any stored codes? Checked fuel pressure(borrow gauge from LAPS), might want to check the crank position sensor as well as sometimes it takes a lot of cranking before it will show a code. Make sure to keep your battery charged if you are doing extended cranking.

 

[Mmusicman]

Panic buy? It cranked, yet you replace the battery anyway?
You changed the oil hoping this was the cause?
Replaced the "brain" assuming it was bad, based on what?
Someone's misinformation?

Did you check the codes?

There are SO many other things it could be.
Ironically, you replaced ALL those parts "based on assumptions" that weren't the actual cause of the problem.

And now it's headed for the junkyard?

What if it's the fuel pump?
Did you even check?

BTW.. the "brain" must be programmed to the specific vehicle it is in.
Most likely the old one is fine.

Proper diagnosis first... is key to doing your own work.
A professional mechanic may be a better option for you in this case.

 

[ehbrown1]

The kick in the head would be for scrapping that van after putting a different computer in it. Do a little work first. You definitely want to put the original computer back in. Reinstalling the original usually, USUALLY , forgoes the relearn process. Seeing that the van was running fine and then slowly died leads back to the basics, fuel, air, ignition. Check the air filter first as I have seen ones that looked like they were installed when the van was new, suffocating the engine of air. Second, check fuel pressure. You have no clue when the last owner replaced the fuel filter let alone a fuel pump. If the fuel filter is plugged, replace it and then you might as well replace the fuel pump as well as they don't like trying to pump fuel through a clogged filter for too long. If you can borrow a diagnostic tool, check for codes and most importantly freeze frame data if available. That tells you what the engine was doing when the code set. NEVER throw away a good van!!!!!

 

[sixsix]

What scrap yard ya' going to?
I'll meet you two there.

 

[Sailing_Faith]

Planned obsolescence? You’re kidding me right?

Things break…. Something built in 2003 May need maintenance….

Put the original pcm back in the van…. Read this thread slowly and follow astroWill’s advice.

 

[Huckleberry]

My wife and I purchased a used 2003 Safari, in the year 2020. We were considerably satisfied with our purchase. Even though the vehicle was 17 years old, it purred like a kitten. Several times we forgot it was running because it was so quiet. I installed a trailer hitch, and it hauled a 2 ton car hauler trailer I modified to carry all of our worldly possessions. Things were awesome. Then, one day, we had to move. Now we'e been having some slight problems with the idle being too low. So my wife had to sit in the driver's seat and gently press on the gas to keep the van running. This time however, she got distracted and let off of the gas for just a few seconds. The motor shut down. When we tried to restart the van, it cranked, but wouldn't start. I have almost zero experience with automotives. So I panicked. I bought a brand new battery. I changed the oil even though it wasn't due for some time. I bought a brain from Pick & Pull from a 2002 Astro. Nothing to worked. Finally I noticed the security light was on. I thought to myself, "What the #ell?". Come to find out that Safaris are known for failing tdm's. So, our wonderful van which has a great motor in it is going to be headed to the scrap heap because the stupid PCM thinks it's been stolen. Now isn't that a kick in the head. Anybody have any advice or help?
PS, we live out of the van. So if it gets scraped, we'll be truely homeless again.

You lost me at "2 ton car hauler".
You need a vehicle with eight lug nuts per wheel and at
least a 4L80E transmission for towing that much weight.
If you're yanking that much around with any
Astro/Safari, your troubles have just begun.

 

[Sawmaster]

You need proper diagnostics or an experienced person who really knows your specific vehicle these days to know what you're looking at. And you need some wrenching experience to do a lot of things, although most can DIY if you're realistic about your abilities.

It seems to me from reading the OP's post that they're probably best off taking it to a good shop since they lack experience/skills and the vehicle is critical to their life. But the very good advice found here will help keep them from getting ripped off and help them sort good shops from the not-so-good ones, which is invaluable in itself.

I'll close with this: Being self-employed makes my work van is the most important and critical thimg in my life. If I can't get me and my tools there I go broke and lose everything quickly, so I've learned to DIY my own stuff as a necessity since I can't afford the down-time and expense of having someone else do it. Sooner ort later every vehicle needs some kind of fixing so you either learn to DIY or keep enough $$$ on hand to have someone else take care of you- otherwise you WILL fail sooner or later and THAT ain't no fun.

Phil

 

[Mmusicman]

In 10+ years.. my 2000 daily driver has never been down longer than a day.
Even when my trans was rebuilt, I got it back next day.
I'm fortunate to have a backup as well.
My van is my lifeline.. has always been for decades

 

[ehbrown1]

Oh and by the way, if you are actually hauling a trailer of that size around loaded with all of your worldly possessions, you are sending the van to an early grave. Perhaps not immediately, but you are going to have some major problems eventually. They were only rated for 5,400lbs RWD and 5,200lbs AWD MAXIMUM if properly equipped. That also includes the weight of all passengers and worldly possessions in tow. I would also hate to have to hit the brakes in a hurry.

 

[Mmusicman]

Last I checked... 2 tons is LESS than 5400lbs
Different math?

 

[sixsix]

All those "worldly possessions" are getting pretty heavy these days.

 

[ehbrown1]

Oh and by the way, if you are actually hauling a trailer of that size around loaded with all of your worldly possessions, you are sending the van to an early grave. Perhaps not immediately, but you are going to have some major problems eventually. They were only rated for 5,400lbs RWD and 5,200lbs AWD MAXIMUM if properly equipped. That also includes the weight of all passengers and worldly possessions in tow. I would also hate to have to hit the brakes in a hurry.

I suppose I need to clarify.

This is directly from the Chevrolet Astro Van Vehicle Specifications:

Towing Power:

Rear-wheel-drive Astro models can tow up to 5,400lbs and out-tow all front-wheel-drive minivans — some by a ton or more.

Astro All-Wheel-Drive can tow up to 5,200lbs.

Maximum trailer ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle,
except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver.
The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will
reduce the maximum trailer weight your truck can tow. See your
Chevy Truck dealer for additional details.

If the trailer itself weighs 4,000lbs, you only have 1,400lbs for people, cargo and all worldly possessions.

Hope that explains it clearly enough. Thought the original comment did, but I may be wrong.

 

[AstroWill]

Last I checked... 2 tons is LESS than 5400lbs
Different math?

That's what I was thinking. I mean I'm sure that is total weight as most car haulers are under a ton though there are some that are way, way over, but I'm sure he isn't pulling one of those with an Astro.

 

[N6KB]

You can buy an OBD2 error code reading device for under or just a bit more than $100. The error codes will not tell you exactly what you need to do the fix the problem, but usually they will point you in the right general direction so you can figure it out. In my opinion anyone who does their own work on their vehicle (later than about 1980 vintage I guess) should own an OBD2 reader.

 

[Huckleberry]

You can buy an OBD2 error code reading device for under or just a bit more than $100. The error codes will not tell you exactly what you need to do the fix the problem, but usually they will point you in the right general direction so you can figure it out. In my opinion anyone who does their own work on their vehicle (later than about 1980 vintage I guess) should own an OBD2 reader.

$20 at Wally World.

Robot or human?

OBD2 is 1996 and newer.
For OBD1 I use a paper clip (youtube it).