I have a 1999 safari 4.3 liter 2wd my transmission is leaking from a hose on the top of it. I have changed the filter and gaskit and it seems to be doing the same thing is it a overflow or sould the hose go to somthing. if anyone can help this van has cost lots in repears it would be nice to now whats happing.
I bought my wife a 1999 all wheel drive Astro in 2002.
The rear heater motor quit shortly thereafter (in the middle of a 640 mile trip in the winter). Techs argued that it was the same motor as the rear A/C - wrong. Have had to put 3 sets of idler arms, and front brakes on every year to year and a half. (2003-2005 have upgraded brakes).
The Passenger window regulator was replaced.
The vehicle is regularly maintained, yet the engine and trans. have both been replaced - fortunately under warranty, but with used equipment.
Had to repair a refrigerant line leak to the rear evaporator due to shoddy brackets.
Intake gasket was leaking and had to be replaced.
Vehicle shudders when turning or starting out - was told this was normal.
Wonderful Delco radio lights don't work, so one must turn on dome or map lights to adjust the radio.
Just replaced passenger side front bearing/hub assy. -- they are sure proud of that -- Chev. dealer wants over $800 just for the part. Fixed it with aftermarket for $268.
Hope I can make it to the Ford dealer to unload -- I mean trade it in.
Sign me - My last G.M.
I have a 1998 GMC Safari 2wd SLE. It has 397,000 km on it and still runs strong.
The only things I've had to replace are the distributor cap and the fan for the heater. The only other costs were just for regular maintenance, oil changes and such. I don't know why you guys are having so many problems, but this is the best vehicle I have ever owned, and when this one finally dies, I will be getting another. I hope you get things figured out.
GM uses a real low grade of aluminum in their valve bodies, and a valve wears out and the torque converter apply valve leaks all the apply oil back into the pan, the computer detects the pressure loss and torque converter slip, and then sets a code and causes the pressure in the transmission to go to max (approx 300 psi), causing the hard shifts.
I fix this on a daily basis with a aftermarket repair kit that costs around $100.00. Some transmission know how is needed to accomplish this. Sometimes the fix works as long as the transmission has not been having this problem for a long time.
As for the rear end noises (growling), these vans are bad for the differential carrier bearings going bad, as well as the axle bearings. There is no real prevention for this, just use a good quality bearing and a mechanic that will take the time to set it up properly.
Any questions e-mail me wkb76@hotmail.com
I too am surprised at all the bad comments. We have a 1999 Safari. We have owned this for 7 years, and it always starts and runs good. I hate to admit I neglected this thing and am surprised it has not had more problems.
I have replaced the following:
* Alternator (I think I damaged it while jump starting someone else)
* Transmission rebuild at about 120,000 miles.
* Drivers window motor.
Aside from the above, and needing brakes & front tires a little sooner than our other cars, it's been a great car!
I do wish that there was something similar to this to upgrade to, but can't find anything like it.
We have 2 newer nicer cars, but keep this for hauling lots of people and for school field trips. And, it is hands down the family favorite for long road trips!
I owned a 1995 Chevy Astro, which was used to hunt deer. The first one bounced off the hood into the ditch and ran off into a field, but I killed the second one. Goodbye hood, driver's side fender, and grille. Drove it for 3 years, and never found parts to replace, and never went thru insurance. (Tip: your first no-fault accident eg hitting a deer becomes your first at-fault accident should you have another at-fault accident.)
Idler arms are an issue, but drove this van to the scrap yard, and saved as many parts as possible.
Bought a 2003 Safari, and bought a parts van for the '95, but the '98 had more new parts on it, and less miles so kept that one. All in all, very pleased with all three.
Sometimes a pain to work on (like the heater blower motor, or #4 spark plug) but enjoy working on them when I have to. Nothing else on the market compares. Have learned from the first one what the failure schedule goes like... parts do seem to fail around the same mileage.
Got the '98 from a guy who was tired of replacing parts, and I got it for $300. Tranny rebuild (owner ran it dry when I got it) and fuel pump are the only major repairs on the '98, and I've put 70,000KMs since I bought it. '03 still looks new at 110,000KMs.
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