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Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Chevrolet Express 3500

Chevrolet Express 3500 Models:

Image for car images Chevrolet 1996 1998 Chevrolet G Van size thumb Image for car images Chevrolet 1999 2002 Chevrolet Express size thumb Image for car images Chevrolet 2003 2011 Chevrolet Express size thumb

Chevrolet Express 3500 Problems

Electrical components under front carpet may be damaged when cleaning van interior

Miscellaneous -- Verified

Various electrical components under the front carpet/rubber mat may become damaged if excess water is used to clean the rear cargo area.

One or More Rear Lights May Not Work

Electrical & Lights -- Verified

The tail light wiring harness in the cargo area is not protected very well. As a result it may become damaged due to normal wear a tear. This damage can causing some or all of the rear lights to stop working.

Erratic Fuel Gauge Operation

Electrical & Lights -- Verified

It is common for the fuel level sensor in the fuel tank read the fuel level incorrectly. The sensor must be replaced to correct the condition. Our technicians recommend having the complete fuel pump module replaced on high mileage vehicles.

Check Engine Light Due to Restricted Secondary Air Injection Check Valve

Exhaust & Emissions -- Verified

One or both secondary air injection check valves may become restricted causing poor air flow resulting in illumination of the Check Engine Light. It is often recommend to replace both check valves even if a fault code is set for only one bank of cylinders. Replacing only one valve may result in a return trip to the repair shop.

The Fuel Pump May Fail Causing the Engine to Stall or Crank Over But Not Start

Engine -- Verified

The fuel pump may fail causing the engine to stall and not restart. Our technicians recommend replacing the fuel filter every 30,000 miles to help prevent undue strain on the fuel pump.

Chevrolet Express 3500 Recalls (Recent)

Pontiac Firebird Recall 07E088000

Body, Interior & Misc., November 8, 2007

Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

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Tire And Loading Information Labels Innacurate

Body, Interior & Misc., March 31, 2006

RepairPal Expert Overview:

The tire and loading information label on the driver's side door frame may be inaccurate. A misprinted label could lead to overloading of the vehicle, which could possibly lead to tire failure increasing the risk of a crash. Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customers request, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began March 31, 2006. The GM recall number is 05109.

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Seat Belts May Not Latch Or Unlatch

Body, Interior & Misc., April 30, 2008

RepairPal Expert Overview:

The front and rear seat belt buckles may not latch or unlatch. In a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will inspect the buckles, and replace them if they are found to be defective. Buckles found to function properly will have the upper buckle cover replaced. The recall began April 30, 2008. The GM recall number is 05113A.

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Potental Fire Due to Failed Alternator

Engine, April 12, 2010

RepairPal Expert Overview:

A short circuit may develop in the voltage regulator, internal to the alternator. This could cause the alternator to overheat to the point of causing a fire. Dealers will inspect and replace the affected alternators as necessary. This recall is scheduled to begin by April 12, 2010. The General Motors recall number is 10216.

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Heating and AC Control Knobs May Fracture and Spin on the Shaft

Heating & Air Conditioning, March 12, 2010

RepairPal Expert Overview:

The heating and AC control knobs may fracture and spin on the control shafts. The driver may not be able to control the heating and ventilation for the vehicle. If this happens when the defrost system is needed, visibility could be reduced, which could lead to a crash. Dealers will replace all of the heating and AC control knobs free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2010. The GM recall number is 10012.

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Chevrolet Express 3500 Questions and Answers

xyrndob, 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500, 5.7L V8, Burke, VA

Drove 1000mi to FL last week. Now in FL. Engine stalls when driven midday (90, sunny, humid) . Re-starts OK, but stalls at idle, even stalls when coasting to a red light stop. What's happening? Al...

xyrndob, 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500, 5.7L V8, Burke, VA

Stalls in afternoon when hot. No problem at other times. AC off.

sonnyhooper, 1997 Chevrolet Express 3500, 5.7L V8, Hutchinson, MN

My van has a check engine code of p1345 ignition control and also a secondary emission control what is that. I also notice the fuel pump may be going out. today i had to bang on bottom of tank to g...

sjjones, 1997 Chevrolet Express 3500, Lebanon, IN

I recently bought a 1997 Chevy cargo van and although it was fine driving it home it has some sort of electrical issue. I first noticed that the fuel gauge was bouncing back and forth and problem w...

Visitor, 1997 Chevrolet Express 3500, 5.7L V8, Philadelphia, PA

WAS TEACHING YOUNG MAN TO DRIVE (MANY TUNRS) WHEN POWER STEERING AMD BRAKES FAILED.
WHAT MAY BE THE FIX? SEND REPLY TO DAZIELL2@AOL.COM

SEND RESPONCE TO "DAZIELL2@AOL.COM

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Chevrolet Express 3500 Stories

My 2011 Express van has an incredibly rough ride. Any ideas to fix it?

one of my oil lines came disconected iam trying to find to reconect it back could you help

On my previous post, the Chevy dealer replaced the TPS (Throttle Positioning Sensor) not the PCM. My mistake!

I like the body style of this van. The sheet metal isn't as thick or durable as past body styles. The factory paint is reasonably durable and so far the corrosion protection is adiquate. The interior is comfotable and quiet and I like the seats. However, if you have to remove any interior door or wall panels, be prepared to use epoxy to glue the plastic that the retaining clips hold on to. It's also very easy to break other plasic parts such as electric door and window switches if disassembly is nessesary. I'm very impressed with this vehicle's braking system. It's a hydrolicly boosted anti-lock braking system that stops this vehicle exceptionally well. The model I own has a 5.7 litre V8 gasoline engine that delivers a good strong performance. When towing a trailer the 5.7 V8 is adiquate. My transmition has worked well, but I've been very careful to keep it maintained. I've always followed the manufactuer's recomended maintainance, but if I'm planning on towing a trailer on a long road trip I always drop the transmition pan and change the filter as well as look in the pan for sludge and debris as well as check the condition of the trans fluid. So far I've never found any problems. I've had very few problems with my electrical system. However I had to replace the door switch for the dome lights on my sliding side door. I've also added some aftermarket headlights because I wanted brighter lights. I thought the stock sealed beams where kind of weak. I've never had any problems with the engine. GM has used the 5.7 litre (350 ci.) for years and years and it's a tried and true design. I faithfully change the engine oil every 3,000 miles, as I always have with all the chev 350 motors I've owned. As a result, I've never had any problems with past or my present 350 V8. The stock exaust system is fine and the van has never not passed emissions so far. My van has front and rear air conditioning and heating. I've enjoyed that a lot and I think if you have a 15 passenger van like mine, it's well worth having. I haven't had to recharge the a/c unit yet, but I expect to at some point. This van handles very well for a full size van. Any full size van has handling limitations, this one does well for what it is. It rides very smooth and comfortably at freeway speeds if I'm towing a trailer or not. I've been impressed with the van's handling while towing, but I'm always careful not to over load it or improperly load the trailer. Over all I like my van and would recomend it so long as you understand that full size vans drive and handle a lot different than full size SUVs and trucks.

I live in Bonaire and did buy this Van in Aruba .The cooling Van is a little bit noizy and there`s to much sensors around the engine
4 oxigen sensors, cooling temp sensor, trottle pos.sensor, crankshaft position sensor etc etc. If 1 doen not work properly you will loose power in your engine or the transmishon will not shift properly. But over all not a bad vehicle.