If I've never learned anything from youtube..I can now say I've learned something very very important...Thank you for sharing this fix..You have me crawling under my van looking for this problem..I have now zip tied mine as a backup to the original clips failing..The steering get dangerously close as it is..just a little slack and I would be screwed..Thanks so much..I feel for all the pains you went to..You are a persistent cuss..I believe I would have been taking the steering wheel off..Thanks Again
I have a friend named Maurice who seems to think you've found the answer to *his* problem, too. Personally, I'm not as sure as he is - - but if it turns out to be true, I'll have him write a note here thanking you. For all you've been thru, and for your helpfulness in posting this, I think you deserve it.
Krystian, congratulations!! Glad that you found the problem. I admire you for your ability to diagnose and fix. Too bad you had to waste all that time. Very poorly designed GM car. All I can say is that you could hire your self out as an expert mechanic on that van. Great job on the repair. At least you now know the workings of the van and can better diagnose repairs.
funny how GM had made these vans since the 80's and never changed this wiring design. It's always something tiny problem but I'm sure you are happy you finally found it!
What a great video I ran into. WOW your the only one I know that has had this problem too.My '95 Safari van has been doing the same thing at random, 5 or 6 times over the past year. I have tried to find the problem but when it don't happen and you can't see the problem??? Friend mechanics had no idea. People joke and say don't turn left. Happened to me yesterday. I pull over to curb and the van restarts. What a rotten way to build a car. What a hazard that can kill . I can imagine someone stalling out in the middle of a turn and hitting a school bus full of kids. What a bad design.
The short in mine wound up melting a hole in my gas tank-the aluminum brake fluid runs over it- carrying the current to the back where it also soldered off part of it-!
I bought a 1997 Astro in 2008, & had overall decent service from it. It has "died" & needed a Tow more than the fords I owned before, but it's comfortable, & the A/C is great! ALL the Fords I owned before, the A/C systems were like Sieves. My Van has had both Starter Motor & just 3 Months ago original Alternator died. It has about 270,000KM.I have to retire it now as the front Sub Frame has rotted through- they all do, & the 2000 & up Yrs are the worst for this trouble. That cable on mine is still original as far as I know. Likely one of those Cable Clamps let go to allow it to drop into the Steering Linkages. MY GUESS> Yours was "built on Monday" (the Man who strung that Wire was having a bad Day).The Transmission Seal You mentioned "went" on mine shortly after I bought it. What was a real problem with mine, is Brake Rotors. ALWAYS, the one only on Passenger side "goes" & it "thump-thump-thumps" & I replace both, & 2 Yrs to the Day, & they go again. Over all I like them, & have found a 2005 Safari Cargo I can afford to replace the 1997. I'm thinking that or maybe a ford E150.....? No such thing as a "no issues" Vehicle eh. They all break down. Oh, another thing fellow Astro/Safari Van owners should know; the power Steering PUMPS, rust through the "Tank" Part, at the back. you have to replace the Pump itself, & they are Year-specific Pumps as far as the late 1990's models with Hydroboost.
You did not put the part number for the ac Delco positive starter cable. Rock Auto does not have a part with that name so need part number. Also tips and video of the replacement would have been helpful.
hey my mom and dad have a astro van and had the same thing happen but they were driving down the road smelled something burning van just died and would not start had to get it towed to a shop they found the same positive wire that ran from the starter burned like that but they never had any low voltage symptoms before it happened since replacing that wire the van has run great
if you use some cheap Harbor Freight electrical tape and if you use some cheap Harbor Freight electrical tape and it's not UL listed at ships going to unravel and you're going to have more problems than you know what to do with
good day, I had a similar problem with that cable, I shorted the starter and all the electrical system, same, I ended up changing the whole cable my star 98 now if it's okay, we should sue chevi for this problem, we could burn with the short
first symptom I had: airbag light on and A slight stuttering at 50 mph ... got a water leak and F'd up the cluster- dash lights on/gauges don't work and a problem w start and immediate stall. Is this an engine harness you think? dash harness? and how huge is the bill for this? thanks.
What's the trick to removing the alternator? I have a 2004 and I took two bolts out of the alternator but it still wouldn't budge. I think I need to replace the same wires in this video... I did some damage while trying to wire in a battery isolator. But it still works for now.
same happened to me..it would turn off and I would lose brakes.We found short years ago but to this date most lights are on on dash..brake ligjt check engine light almost all dash lights,does anyone else have this problem with all ligjts on on dash afyer this original problem? it's hard passing smog in california with dash lights on.any help would be appreciated .thanks.i just wrapped wire harness with alot of electrical tape and it's good now as far as it turning off when I turn.
Did the short cause any brake problems? I got a short in the wiring harness like that brakes work fine but intermittatly loose pressure and go to the floor, Im trying to figure out if something electrical is causing it. went on a goose chase trying to fix it nothing has worked yet
Trout Junkie I had the same exact issue with my son’s girlfriend’s van. Came to a stop light. Just when we tried to accelerate, it would hesitate, intermittently on and off. Then it would gather momentum. When I tried to slow or stop, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I later found the battery positive cable burnt halfway into the steering linkage and shorting against the frame...The ABS metal tubing was rubbing against the frame (shorting) and melting the plastic mounting clips and smoking. That explained the brakes going out and going all the way to the floor!
@@kalebstout7673 That's all it is. A battery to switch cable. Looks different in the video because I reused the original loom (plastic tube) but inside it's just battery cable
thanks for the info,i have an astro for 10 years,always keep it up to date,fix it me self,but i did look at that wire,sure thing it has some damage,save my self some future headeck thanks
I can't believe I found this! I am having exact same problem! Steering wheel actually kills engine! Thank you for such a nice video!
If I've never learned anything from youtube..I can now say I've learned something very very important...Thank you for sharing this fix..You have me crawling under my van looking for this problem..I have now zip tied mine as a backup to the original clips failing..The steering get dangerously close as it is..just a little slack and I would be screwed..Thanks so much..I feel for all the pains you went to..You are a persistent cuss..I believe I would have been taking the steering wheel off..Thanks Again
I have a friend named Maurice who seems to think you've found the answer to *his* problem, too. Personally, I'm not as sure as he is - - but if it turns out to be true, I'll have him write a note here thanking you. For all you've been thru, and for your helpfulness in posting this, I think you deserve it.
Very common issue, there was a recall for this years ago. Check your van.
You can pull the wires out of the way with zip ties and you are good to go.
Krystian, congratulations!! Glad that you found the problem. I admire you for your ability to diagnose and fix. Too bad you had to waste all that time. Very poorly designed GM car. All I can say is that you could hire your self out as an expert mechanic on that van. Great job on the repair. At least you now know the workings of the van and can better diagnose repairs.
Great job sr.
funny how GM had made these vans since the 80's and never changed this wiring design. It's always something tiny problem but I'm sure you are happy you finally found it!
What a great video I ran into. WOW your the only one I know that has had this problem too.My '95 Safari van has been doing the same thing at random, 5 or 6 times over the past year. I have tried to find the problem but when it don't happen and you can't see the problem??? Friend mechanics had no idea. People joke and say don't turn left. Happened to me yesterday. I pull over to curb and the van restarts. What a rotten way to build a car. What a hazard that can kill . I can imagine someone stalling out in the middle of a turn and hitting a school bus full of kids. What a bad design.
The short in mine wound up melting a hole in my gas tank-the aluminum brake fluid runs over it- carrying the current to the back where it also soldered off part of it-!
Great Video! What was the wiring harness Part Number for this? We need to do the same. Thank you
I bought a 1997 Astro in 2008, & had overall decent service from it. It has "died" & needed a Tow more than the fords I owned before, but it's comfortable, & the A/C is great! ALL the Fords I owned before, the A/C systems were like Sieves. My Van has had both Starter Motor & just 3 Months ago original Alternator died. It has about 270,000KM.I have to retire it now as the front Sub Frame has rotted through- they all do, & the 2000 & up Yrs are the worst for this trouble. That cable on mine is still original as far as I know. Likely one of those Cable Clamps let go to allow it to drop into the Steering Linkages. MY GUESS> Yours was "built on Monday" (the Man who strung that Wire was having a bad Day).The Transmission Seal You mentioned "went" on mine shortly after I bought it. What was a real problem with mine, is Brake Rotors. ALWAYS, the one only on Passenger side "goes" & it "thump-thump-thumps" & I replace both, & 2 Yrs to the Day, & they go again. Over all I like them, & have found a 2005 Safari Cargo I can afford to replace the 1997. I'm thinking that or maybe a ford E150.....? No such thing as a "no issues" Vehicle eh. They all break down. Oh, another thing fellow Astro/Safari Van owners should know; the power Steering PUMPS, rust through the "Tank" Part, at the back. you have to replace the Pump itself, & they are Year-specific Pumps as far as the late 1990's models with Hydroboost.
+RetroCaptain Part of the fun of owning American vehicle. Better be good with wrenches.
I love these vans but that wire design is terrible.
You did not put the part number for the ac Delco positive starter cable. Rock
Auto does not have a part with that name so need part number. Also tips and video of the replacement would have been helpful.
Yep. Sounds like an an astro haha. I'm hunting right now for my electrical issue in my 99.
Thank you. I will be checking this in the morning.
Thanks for sharing. Be safe.
whats the link for the wire harness?
great job.. this is exactly where mine has an issue as well... chasing gremlins!!..
What’s the link for the cable?
Thank you for posting this video!
hey my mom and dad have a astro van and had the same thing happen but they were driving down the road smelled something burning van just died and would not start had to get it towed to a shop they found the same positive wire that ran from the starter burned like that but they never had any low voltage symptoms before it happened since replacing that wire the van has run great
Nice job in hunting down the culprit..as a benefit, you have some new parts in there that will last a long time! :) Jack
When you work on a vehicle you can expect skinned knuckles, dirt in your eyes, frustrating problems etc. But dude... quit whinning about it! You won
Wow good find!
When you unplugged the battery, did it spark from being grounded somewhere? Having the same problem right now
if you use some cheap Harbor Freight electrical tape and if you use some cheap Harbor Freight electrical tape and it's not UL listed at ships going to unravel and you're going to have more problems than you know what to do with
very good job man.
Ooof I better take a look under the van soon
good day, I had a similar problem with that cable, I shorted the starter and all the electrical system, same, I ended up changing the whole cable my star 98 now if it's okay, we should sue chevi for this problem, we could burn with the short
Part number or name please anyone!!! Not sure why the dude that made the video never mentioned what the heck the name or part number is
What’s the part called
always a good idea to state year model
Thanks!!!
first symptom I had: airbag light on
and A slight stuttering at 50 mph ... got a water leak and F'd up the cluster- dash lights on/gauges don't work and a problem w start and immediate stall. Is this an engine harness you think? dash harness? and how huge is the bill for this? thanks.
FIX LEAK REPLACE CLUSTER.
I had exact issue-took three trips to electrical guy to find,!!@
What’s the part name you searched on RockAuto?
What's the trick to removing the alternator? I have a 2004 and I took two bolts out of the alternator but it still wouldn't budge. I think I need to replace the same wires in this video... I did some damage while trying to wire in a battery isolator. But it still works for now.
Sounds like you have a bolt on the back side of the alternator take the dog house off and Have a look at the back of the alternator.
If not try prying it up out of its spot, because there are dowel pins where the bolts go threw they sqeeze against the alternator
What’s the name of the part you replaced
Thank u
I have the same van but when I try to start it it kind of rough at first but it will start and run good can anybody tell me what
Check
Anyone know the part name? I’m having a hard time finding it on rock auto and having a similar issue with my 95 astro
Mine was A730HD but i have 2002 Astro. For 1995 looks like it is part # A952DA for All Wheel Drive. For RWD it is: A762D
same happened to me..it would turn off and I would lose brakes.We found short years ago but to this date most lights are on on dash..brake ligjt check engine light almost all dash lights,does anyone else have this problem with all ligjts on on dash afyer this original problem? it's hard passing smog in california with dash lights on.any help would be appreciated .thanks.i just wrapped wire harness with alot of electrical tape and it's good now as far as it turning off when I turn.
Did the short cause any brake problems? I got a short in the wiring harness like that
brakes work fine but intermittatly loose pressure and go to the floor, Im trying to figure out if something electrical is causing it. went on a goose chase trying to fix it nothing has worked yet
No my brakes were fine. Can't see electrical short effecting the brakes unless ABS system gets crazy and tries to kick in
If your power steering assist goes at the same time. Its your pewer steering pump or somwthing in the system
Yes it did with mine, it was the first symptom
Trout Junkie I had the same exact issue with my son’s girlfriend’s van. Came to a stop light. Just when we tried to accelerate, it would hesitate, intermittently on and off. Then it would gather momentum. When I tried to slow or stop, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I later found the battery positive cable burnt halfway into the steering linkage and shorting against the frame...The ABS metal tubing was rubbing against the frame (shorting) and melting the plastic mounting clips and smoking. That explained the brakes going out and going all the way to the floor!
Don't see this one on Rock Auto, what's the part #?
Look under Electrical then Battery Cable, 5 choices
@@troutjunkie7330 I looked under this section but its just showing battery cables, none of which look like the one in the video.
@@kalebstout7673 That's all it is. A battery to switch cable. Looks different in the video because I reused the original loom (plastic tube) but inside it's just battery cable
Do you still have your van?
Yes.
Post the cable part number.
A730HD for RWD vans and SD92XR for AWD
By the way, I have the same Cree bike light.
anti theft switch hide it under the dash
Fucking vans are a pain in the ass
thanks for the info,i have an astro for 10 years,always keep it up to date,fix it me self,but i did look at that wire,sure thing it has some damage,save my self some future headeck thanks