HELP!! Problems with a 2k Olds Silo..............

[Mr_Boyer]

I bought this van a few months ago and it had 189,000 on the odometer. It was a one owner before I purchased it. So, I contacted the original owner and talked to him a bit about it and he told me that the van was ALL highway miles. He rattled off everything he had serviced and how often, etc. Well now I have a few problems with the damn thing and before I go tearing it all apart I figured I would post them on here.

First, in order to unlock the vehicle with the keyless remote, you basically have to be standing right next to the van. The range on it sucked when I bought it, but became worse after I installed a remote starter in it a week ago. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a remote start when you have to walk out to the van to even use the keyless remote. ANyone ever had this problem????

Second, my passenger window goes down about a half inch, starts clicking and then you have to grab it and pull the window down.

Third, the air-ride shocks in the rear are leaking fluid and I want to replace them. I cannot see spending $275 a piece for the shocks from the dealer on a vehicle that is 7 years old. I would like to replace them with a pair of Monroe Shocks or some other decent shocks. Has anyone changed the shocks over from the air-ride? Are there any modifications needed?

Finally, my heated seats and heated mirrors do not work. I still have the original window sticker and it showed heated mirrors on this vehicle but they do not work. As for the front seats, how do I take them apart to get to the heating elements?

THANKS!!

[diesel1962]

Hi.Maby the battery in the keyless remote needs to be replaced.Asfor the seat,you can unbolt the seat from the seat track to remove it from the van.Or unbolt the seat and the track and remove as one assembley.I don't know what kind of shocks would replace the air ride ones.Maby you could go check some bone yards for a good pair of shocks.About the window problems,you may have to replace the window regulator.That is the window lift mechinism.Again these parts can be had cheaply at a bone yard.Remember,alot of Chevy Venture's and Pontiac Montana part's will fit your Old's van.Have a good New Year and let us know what you decide to do.Diesel 1962...(Former Old's Silhouette owner)

[Mr_Boyer]

Not many GM vans in salvage yards around here that could help me out. As for the remote, I have tried 4 batteries in the past week and none of them had made a difference.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by Mr_Boyer

Third, the air-ride shocks in the rear are leaking fluid and I want to replace them. I cannot see spending $275 a piece for the shocks from the dealer on a vehicle that is 7 years old. I would like to replace them with a pair of Monroe Shocks or some other decent shocks. Has anyone changed the shocks over from the air-ride? Are there any modifications needed?
THANKS!!

Why would you go to the stealership to get parts when there are plenty of aftermarket ones, (including OEM) available that are less expensive? Did you try www.rockauto.com ? They have a whole line of shocks for your van, including A C Delcos and Monroes to replace the air shocks you currently have. A quick check revealed Monroes part #MA824 for $61.79/pair including everything where applicable. That might be the way to go to save some money.
(Even the A C Delcos which the stealership sells is cheaper at $203.79 for part # 504101.) Check it out as there are other possibilities to fit your van.
EDIT: While at rockauto.com check out what else they carry for your van. They usually carry a wide variety of parts at good prices. I have been buying from them for years.

[99montanaownerr]

I changed out my shocks for Monroe shocks. they don't have the same kind of air connection. The OEM shocks have a knot on the end of the air line which can easily be trimmed off but the location of the connection on the shock is different so I couldn't use the original air line which made me have to use a piece of air line that come with the shocks.
I'm having a similar issue with my ABS TCS lights, I get a low traction light which disables my cruise control and after a short time the ABS and TCS turn on after a long time the coolant low light turns on. Talked to a mechanic about the ABS TCS and he was telling me that when changing brake pads, the brake fluid in the calipers gets contaminated and is pushed back into the system when the caliper pistons are retracted. It just so happened I changed the pads just before this all started. About 750 miles into a trip. May be a coincidence, I don't know. Haven't received a code except other problems I'm having with missfiring P0301 suspect the lower intake gasket leaking. Keep us updated what you find out and I'll do the same.

[Mr_Boyer]

Thanks for the info. I will check out that website for parts. As for my issue with the window, ordered the part today for $19.99 from Autozone. Had to get the regulator without the motor. I still can't figure out the problem with my keyfob and having to stand next to the van to unlock it or lock it. This problem started after I installed my remote start which integrated into the factory system. I don't know why it is like it is now. It is actually really frustrating considering that I programmed the remote start to operate thru the OEM Keyfob. Any ideas anyone?????

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by 99montanaownerr

I'm having a similar issue with my ABS TCS lights, I get a low traction light which disables my cruise control and after a short time the ABS and TCS turn on after a long time the coolant low light turns on.

Welcome to AF!
That sounds like a related problem to the infamous ill fated rear circuit boards for your taillights. Have you checked them lately to see if they appeared burned or melted? If that is your problem it's a fairly easy fix. The parts are available for under $30 on eBay, and it's as simple as swapping out the old for the new. A word of advice: make sure you thoroughly seal the new boards with a sealant to keep out water from infiltrating the new boards and causing the same issues all over again. I had the same issues you describe and they "mysteriously" disappeared after replacing the rear circuit boards.