issues with venture

[londoncalling]

i have a 98 venture, its had a few problems; after reading many posts i think i got pretty lucky in the one i bought. so far: car died and the wires on fuel sending unit corroded, new unit is 500 bucks, they repaired it but now i have to set tripometer in guaging how much gas i use as fuel guage doesnt work. drivers side power window is shot, lifters bent, needs new regulator, another 500. passenger side front chair recline has broken, glove box hinges broke. check engine light stays on, headlight assemblies need replacing due to oxidation of plastic lenses, another 100 each, now there is a rattle when i decelerated, seems like its right in the dash in front of the driver, took it to the shop they said something fell into vents?? they want to tear dash out! i looked under hood and there is a part that sits next to the master cylinder with wire harness attached to it (dont know what it is) that seems very loose, it is just horseshoe clamped onto the large bolted bar that goes from the front of engine to back. i think its this silver box thats rattling, its very loose when you touch it but seems like its suppose to be that way. not sure what to put in there to keep that piece from rattling, any ideas????? thanks

[cdru]

Originally Posted by londoncalling

i have a 98 venture, its had a few problems; after reading many posts i think i got pretty lucky in the one i bought. so far: car died and the wires on fuel sending unit corroded, new unit is 500 bucks, they repaired it but now i have to set tripometer in guaging how much gas i use as fuel guage doesnt work.

Then take it back as they obviously didn't fix it. If they fixed it, the gauge should work.

drivers side power window is shot, lifters bent, needs new regulator, another 500.

If it's just the regulator, you can get that inexpensively at most autopart stores. Motors will obviously be extra if you need one as well. Worst case, go to a junk yard. You still will be WAY under 200. Replacing them isn't trivial, but also not impossible to DIY

passenger side front chair recline has broken, glove box hinges broke.

Can help you on either of those as it really depends on what exactly broke. Again a junk yard may be your best bet

check engine light stays on

This is a thread in and of itself. Have you tried to pull the code? It's on for a reason and usually won't turn off until you fix what's wrong.

headlight assemblies need replacing due to oxidation of plastic lenses, another 100 each

The lens assemblies are a common problem. Replacement lens assemblies can be found on eBay for less then a $100 a piece.

now there is a rattle when i decelerated, seems like its right in the dash in front of the driver, took it to the shop they said something fell into vents?? they want to tear dash out!

If you are referring to the defroster vent, it's easy to get to. You can get to it in just a few minutes by removing the a-piller trim pieces and then lifting the front cover off. Everything uses snap connectors.

i looked under hood and there is a part that sits next to the master cylinder with wire harness attached to it (dont know what it is) that seems very loose, it is just horseshoe clamped onto the large bolted bar that goes from the front of engine to back. i think its this silver box thats rattling, its very loose when you touch it but seems like its suppose to be that way. not sure what to put in there to keep that piece from rattling, any ideas????? thanks

I beleive you are likely refering to the cruise control module. There should be a bolt that attaches the plastic frame to the side of the engine compartment. If there isn't find a bolt that fits.

[londoncalling]

couldnt afford for them to replace it, they mickey moused it so vehicle would run but without working gas guage.

My wording may be wrong with regulator, the window motor components cant be replaced in pieces only one entire assembly, so far no parts at junk yard, window works if you hold and guide glass in upright position when opening and closing window.

Will have to take car to shop to get light turned off for car to pass smog.

Great information for last two issues, I will try them now, thanks much!

[londoncalling]

arghh. Im pretty sure it is the cruise control module that is rattling, I checked the bracket that it sits in and is bolted to the car, all that is fine. The module itself is bolted by one bolt to the bracket and has the horseshoe type clamp on the bottom, its very wobbly but all the bolts are intact, Is there anything I can use to make it completly stable and not wobbly at all? Its very wobbly and Im almost certain that this is where the rattle comes from. thanks.