Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Venture
Register FAQ Community Arcade Calendar
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 03-15-2016, 12:40 AM   #1
Isitworthit
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Co Sp, Colorado
Posts: 2
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
2002 Chevy venture electrical problem

I am having problem with the battery light coming on headlights on when switch is off the fule gauge dancing up and down radio works intermittently that's when I start the van it will only run a few miles and the battery will go completely flat I have changed the starter do not believe it is the alternator as there to many electrical problems thinking that a short somewhere can anyone PlEASE give advice as where to start and what to look at thanks
Isitworthit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2016, 08:45 AM   #2
aleekat
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: clarksville, Tennessee
Posts: 1,703
Thanks: 23
Thanked 183 Times in 179 Posts
Re: 2002 Chevy venture electrical problem

You need to test the alternator to rule it good or bad. Battery dropping below 12v can cause all type of symptoms. I would be checking battery cables, specifically all grounds.
__________________
Post back, that's what makes Forums Work.
aleekat is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to aleekat For This Useful Post:
Isitworthit (03-15-2016)
Old 03-15-2016, 08:47 AM   #3
brcidd
AF Enthusiast
 
brcidd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: troy, Ohio
Posts: 2,311
Thanks: 2
Thanked 171 Times in 169 Posts
Re: 2002 Chevy venture electrical problem

I'd look at it as the alternator is causing all the electrical gremlins- system voltage drops can cause all kinds of havoc- so have the alternator tested- can be done on car at any autozone etc. System voltage needs to be 12.5+ at rest and near 14 or more when running. Internal battery shorts or even bad battery connections can also cause your issues.

Your battery light on is your biggest hint- chances are real good your alternator is going South...

If you charge battery and it runs a few miles, then quits, then you are not putting juice back into the battery- Put a DVOM on the battery terminals when running- better be near 13+ volts or you will die again due to bum alternator.

The vehicle battery light comes on at about 10.5 volts- system voltage- so you can believe that if you can't confirm with DVOM.

Radio will die near 9 volts- and gauges go crazy on low voltage- so every indicator you have tells me system voltage is low- not any shorts anywhere. Shorts would blow fuses.
__________________
Automotive A/C Engineer with:
'99 IH 4700 Toy Hauler
(2) '95 GEO Prizms both maroon
'99 GMC Yukon
'95 Chev 3500, 454 Dually Crew Cab- 145k miles-
Wife's Camel trailer puller.
'94 Astro- 370k miles
'94 Firebird Formula- 5.7L 180k miles- gone-
'92 Chevy Lumina Van 3.8L 264k
'86 GMC S-15 - 2.8L 154k
'87 Buick Park Ave . 187k
'86 Buick Park Ave 3.8L 199k miles- gone
'77 Chevy Vega- 2.5L 175k miles gone but not forgotten
'68 Camaro 396 4 spd RS/SS -72k miles-
brcidd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2016, 06:25 PM   #4
Isitworthit
AF Newbie
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Co Sp, Colorado
Posts: 2
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: 2002 Chevy venture electrical problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by aleekat View Post
You need to test the alternator to rule it good or bad. Battery dropping below 12v can cause all type of symptoms. I would be checking battery cables, specifically all grounds.
Thanks when I put battery on charger little black and decker it.say alternator ok fully charged reads 13v so maybe I will take out and test at auto zone
Isitworthit is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Venture


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:41 AM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts