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.
Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Chevrolet Express 3500
Chevrolet Express 3500 Models:
Chevrolet Express 3500 Problems
Electrical components under front carpet may be damaged when cleaning van interior
Various electrical components under the front carpet/rubber mat may become damaged if excess water is used to clean the rear cargo area.
The Fuel Pump May Fail Causing the Engine to Stall or Crank Over But Not Start
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.
Check Engine Light Due to Restricted Secondary Air Injection Check Valve
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.
Erratic Fuel Gauge Operation
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.
Chevrolet Express 3500 Recalls (Recent)
Tire and Loading Information Labels Are Innacurate
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 and a crash. Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At customers' request, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began March 31, 2006. The GM recall number is 05109.
The Owner's Manual Does Not Explain the Child Restraint Anchor Location Symbols
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The owner's manual does not explain the child restraint anchor location symbols for the lower universal anchorage system. This does not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Owners were sent supplements to the owner's manual explaining the location symbols in the vehicle. The recall began August 18, 2003. The GM recall number is 03039.
Hydro-Boost Relief Valve May Not Function Properly
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The hydro-boost housing relief valve bore may be out of specification. The seal may fracture as a result, which may reduce braking assist and slightly increase the steering effort while braking. Under certain conditions, more braking effort will be required to stop the vehicle. Dealers will replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began June 18, 2004. The GM recall number is 04004.
Hydraulic Brake Booster May Fail
RepairPal Expert Overview:
On vehicles equipped with the Bosch hydraulic brake booster, the boost pressure accumulator may crack and break away from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operation. If this were to happen while the hood is open, fragments from the accumulator could injure people standing in the immediate area. The loss of fluid while driving would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash could occur without warning. Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for function of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, it will be replaced free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2005. The GM recall number is 05006.
Power Steering Hose May Burst
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Some vehicles have a power steering hose that was not made to specification and may rupture under extreme steering conditions. If this were to happen, power steering assist would be lost and steering effort would increase. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost brakes, braking effort would also increase. If power steering fluid were to spray on hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could also occur. Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for the two suspect date codes and replace them if needed. The recall began October 14, 2005. The GM recall number is 05086.
Chevrolet Express 3500 Questions and Answers
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...
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...
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
SEEMS AS IF NO
GAS IS GETTING TO
ENGINE
1997 chevy van with 145000 miles< has 350 5.7 motor> want to know the time it should take to replace water pump? 8 hours 12 hours ect?
Chevrolet Express 3500 Reviews
I need to know where I can get a driver door interior panel.
Can anyone help? 9725675036
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.