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View Full Version : 97 Chev Venture (glutten for punishment Part II)


thomask
08-25-2007, 09:24 PM
Ok, since my last post regarding my 1998 Chev Venture, its been off the road for some time, and since I cant move it, without a $70 fee to take it to the garage ( and double that for a return trip ) its been sitting, tho I have un-trustworthy acquaintences offer to 'fix' it for me..

I just got back from a vehicle auction, and I got my hands on a 97 Chev Venture LS.

Couple things that I am looking at in the near term to get fixed (other then what is required for safety certificate)

1. I had to have someone else drive it home, I could not move the drivers seat back and down. Seems the electric seat will not work. I've checked fuses, and they all seem in order. (I've even swapped out for another in another slot and still nothing). This question has two parts.

a) I would just replace the electric motor, but there are more problems with the seat. Is there anything I need to watch out for when swapping this out?

b) Can I use the manual/non-electric seat from the 1998 Venture I have in the driveway?

2. I am having some issues getting the back gate open. I even had the wife inside pushing on it hard while I pulled (with the lever depressed), and the ignition key doesn't want to go all the way in, any ideas?

3. This Van has 3 new toys the 98 Venture does not.

a) TCS - Traction Control System. Is this actually worth anything? I personally hate ABS, it gets in the way more often the not with me. So should this be kept on or off.. ? Opinions?

b) After much thought, it seems like this van comes with power sliding doors. I press this button with the icon of the van, and a two direction arrow, and eventually this noise comes from the back, but nothing happens. Is this worth getting fixed? (There is a button on the FOB, and a button behind the front passenger seat about shoulder level).

c) ALARM. I thought, cool, this has an alarm. Problem, the horn keeps going and going and going after I press the red button on the FOB. Am I doing something wrong? The Van did not come with an owners manual.


Does anyone know of a site that will give you more details on vehicles according to the VIN? Most of the one's I've used do not go back past 7-9 years



Any help would be appreciated, and I HAVE read about the other van's in the forum. Does anyone else have any feedback in regards to things I should watch out for? (BTW, wife said there was a studder going up hills when she drove it home)

Thomas

Alchemist
09-05-2007, 12:15 PM
1. b) sure, if it'll fit and bolt in.

2. lock cylinder/release mechanism/whatever may be damaged. dunno about that...

3. a) there's a difference between TCS and ABS. former would help in slippery conditions. latter would prevent brakes/wheels from locking up in an emergency situation.

b) getting it fixed: it's up to you if you want that convenience. as long as you can shut/open those doors manually...

c) red button usually is "panic", in which case, the horn going off means it's doing what it's supposed to.

GM owner's manuals have a VIN decoder. what do you want to know?
there should be a decal somewhere in the van, maybe in the glove box, with a list of option codes.
http://www.c2e.info/rpocodes/

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