Help please, Chevy Venture wont start

[dawnie28]

3 wks ago the van didnt start up so we left it alone(its a 2001 we bought it at 27 thousand miles, its now at 35 thous) called up someone to pick it up..found out the battery was dead, alternator and starter are great...we get it back, we do errands, come home eat, then go to walmart, turn it off, go in store, come back and try to start it up, the lights flickered on like it was going to start, and then everything went black..nothing...someone jumped it, got it back home, we let it run, turned it off, now back to black...nothing...anyone know what might be the prob because im starting to get aggravated and we owe 9 grand on it still and we just paid 255 to get the battery, labor, a new tie rod, and the alignment done, we also have to dish out more money on weds to get two new tires put on it thanks to the other problems with it..we are on a tight budget and cant afford any other problems with it, oh and come to find out when we bought the van, we were told we had 3 yrs warranty on it, come to find out we were lied to (by a salary employee) and we have since moved to texas from VA..we were told by the Va dealership if we bring it back up there, they will do a goodwill but down here they wont and they knew we were military and moving when we bought it...ugh!

[GregA]

Sounds like the battery is NOT charging properly or you have a bad connection.

As a simple test, once it is started and running, measure the voltage at the battery. With a good alternator and connections, the voltage at the battery should be about 13.5 volts or a little more.

I would check ALL the cables, especially near the battery. Sometimes they get corroded on the inside and don't make a good connection.

Also check around the alternator. Make sure the connects are good & tight, both PLUS side & Ground.

Let us know what happens.

Take Care,

[dawnie28]

Originally Posted by GregA

Also check around the alternator. Make sure the connects are good & tight, both PLUS side & Ground.

Let us know what happens.

Take Care,

thanks it seems to have been one connector fell off(which of course it was dark i couldnt see til this morning), how can that be? i mean dont they tighten these suckers up or something? geez made me go into spastic mode for nothing..Thanks alot i appreciate the answer

[GregA]

Originally Posted by dawnie28

thanks it seems to have been one connector fell off(which of course it was dark i couldnt see til this morning), how can that be? i mean dont they tighten these suckers up or something? geez made me go into spastic mode for nothing..Thanks alot i appreciate the answer

You're Welcome.

Everyone (every human) makes mistakes and forgets the "little stuff" sometimes, even mechanics.

And don't worry about going into spastic mode. You're allowed to do that, especially just after the car has been "fixed." I'm just glad you found it and I assume it is "all better" now.

Take Care & Have a Happy New Year!