Both tail lights on my van went out and I nearly got pulled over for it. The only indicator was when I started the car both turn signals came on but did not blink. After letting it sit for a week, I decided to dissemble both tail lights. I found that on both the connector was fried on one port. So I took a wire brush and scrubbed the hell out of both the connector and the port on the assembly. After that I took ALOT of electrical tape and wrapped the connector wires from about 4 in from the connector to the connector. and the same for the other end at the car. I suggest trying to "weatherproof" the lenses from the rain by taking more tape and running it along the seam of the lens. Now whenever it goes out I simply press down on the wires to plug the connector back in.
The problem just kept getting worst. First the of all this only happened when the lights were turned on. The turning signal would stay lit up and not blink. Then some weird stuff started to happen. It Blinked super fast and the brake light would turn on too. So we got it replace has not happened again. But this is not the Chevy ventures only problem. it has so many more. would never recommend this vehicle.
The drivers side tail light started malfunctioning for no reason. We found the tail light out and replaced the bulb. It worked for a while, but went out again very quickly. Our mechanic said it will be about $150!!, because it is a major burn out of something in the electrical!!! Waiting to fix, most cops don't care about a faulty, weird acting light when your a mom in a mini-van doing the speed limit!!
I am the original owner of this Venture. I have meticulously kept up with maintenance and have fixed problems as they come. Generally, my van is a great investment and should run for another 100,000 miles.
I have had some intermittent problems with the turn signal in the driver rear light assembly. Changing bulbs has not helped. This morning as I was getting ready to leave for school I noticed that my rear running lights were not on. I soon found out that my rear brake lights, turn signals and back up lights were also not working. I am frustrated and because we can fix most of the car's problems with a trip to the auto store, but this may be beyond my reach. UGH!
Update from Apr 15, 2010: Found a mechanic to replace the curcuit assembly and no problems since. Now I have to do the the right side.
This problem makes my Chevy Venture a daytime car since I have no tail lights. The dealer wants $93.00 per hour the diagnose the problem and the insurance won't touch it unless it is the result of a physical accident.
Here is the problem: When the engine is started there are no tail lights or cruise lights.The head lights work ok.
- hcwebbsr,
Ocean Pines, MD, US
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Other than the rear light assembly electrical failure our van has been fairly reliable. The rear light electrical shorting will bring on the multiswitch failure in the steering column if you do not adress the problem asap. We only have about 45000 miles on our van. We had the engine repaired as a preventive measure right from the head gasket on up. Switch to regular antifreeze instead of the longlife crap they put in at the factory and that will help you avoid the famous manifold gasket failure that plagues most 3.4L. Like I said just look for the blackened/burned pin on the rear light plastic connector and sand it down to re-establish a good electrical connection and save yourself $800 big ones on replacing the multiswitch.
I bought a 2001 venture in January to replace a 2000 caravan. I loved it till this happened. The passenger side tail light just stopped working right. It did not go totally out but it started to blink wrong. I can not believe that Chevy did not do a recall on it.
I replaced the bulbs numerous times before I finally took it to a professional who told me that the whole light assembly was faulty and needed replacing, and that it is a common problem on this model.
I purchased (used) a 2001 Chevy Venture Warner Brothers Edition in June 2008. Sweet ride... let me tell ya. Fully loaded with all the extras! About 2 months later (now a month ago) the cd player just decided to stop working sporadically, then the reverse sensor decided to go off even when the car is not in the reverse gear, then simultaneously the brake lights, hazard lights, park lights, tail lights, left and right turn signals all decided to be really weird and either work, not work, or half-ass work depending upon whether the headlights are on, or my foot is on the brake pad, or even depending upon which gear im in at the time... it matters if I'm in park, reverse, or drive (SERIOUSLY!) Its been to 2 auto shops... both of which said it was the MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH in the steering column... Multifunction switch replaced? YES... Problem solved? SURE... That is until the next day!!!! Now I have all the same problems as I did before and this has been a back and forth process... ongoing for over a month. Now my Venture is back in the shop and who knows what tomorrow will bring? I'm pretty confident it'll be nonstop headaches!
But wait! Here's the kicker... On my way to the mechanic's this morning I noticed a silver Warner Brothers Edition Chevy Venture in front of me with absolutely no tail lights, brake lights, or turn signals!! I flagged the driver down... She was unaware that her vehicle had this problem... I wish her luck!
I checked Chevy.com and to date there is no recall for this particular problem. But don't you find it odd that 2 Warner Brothers Edition Chevy Ventures in the same state, city, and even on the same block could experience the very same very serious problem??
Funnier still... I have been pulled over and ticketed for this problem TWICE! Once for the original problem and then again for after it was FIXED?!?!?#?@?$?@#%?#$??#%
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Both tail lights on my van went out and I nearly got pulled over for it. The only indicator was when I started the car both turn signals came on but did not blink. After letting it sit for a week, I decided to dissemble both tail lights. I found that on both the connector was fried on one port. So I took a wire brush and scrubbed the hell out of both the connector and the port on the assembly. After that I took ALOT of electrical tape and wrapped the connector wires from about 4 in from the connector to the connector. and the same for the other end at the car. I suggest trying to "weatherproof" the lenses from the rain by taking more tape and running it along the seam of the lens. Now whenever it goes out I simply press down on the wires to plug the connector back in.
- jhowe67, Kennesaw, GA, US